Abstract
Defining Authoritative Roles and Responsibilities for Cadastral Land Records
Track: Surveying Business
Authors: Coleen Johnson, Jack Avis
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Model Rules Section 210.25 defines the practice of GIS cadastral parcel base mapping to be within the area of practice of the professional land surveyor, which continues to be a point of significant debate and contention within the geospatial industry. While some states have skirted the issue thus far, other states already have or are currently working towards more clearly defining which specific roles and responsibilities the licensed professional land surveyor should encompass when it pertains to cadastral land records. This presentation will convey our thoughts regarding significant contributing roles and responsibilities for the professional land surveyor in GIS practice as it relates to land boundary determinations and property rights as well as the role they should play in contributing to the development of cadastral-based data layers. In most cases, land record boundaries are graphically represented as a cadastral-based data layer that other layers are derived from and referenced against in the GIS. The lack of geospatial accuracy and qualitative measurements in the cadastral base is potentially damaging to end-users and the general public. As a result, these GIS cadastral-based data layers lack the authoritative value that is desperately needed in order for GIS to move forward as a measurement-based reference system. This presentation will highlight specific ideas and thoughts on how and why professional land surveyors should take a leadership role in promoting solutions and further engaging themselves into the process.