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Z Terms
ZONE – The unit of division in State Plane Coordinate Systems created where state boundaries extend beyond limits imposed in the design of the projection system. Where the scale error between a geodetic distance and its grid representation exceeds 1 in 10,000 a state was usually divided into two or more zones. A new origin is used for each zone. See DANGER ZONE.
Zero - Zero degrees, minutes, and seconds. A perfect zero
Zenith is the direction pointing directly above a particular location (perpendicular, orthogonal). Since the concept of being above is itself somewhat vague, scientists define the zenith in more rigorous terms. Specifically, in astronomy, geophysics and related sciences (e.g., meteorology), the zenith at a given point is the local vertical direction pointing away from direction of the force of gravity at that location.
The zenith is used in the following scientific contexts:
- It serves as the direction of reference for measuring the zenith angle, which is the angular distance between a direction of interest (e.g., a star) and the local zenith, relative to the point for which the zenith is defined.
- It defines one of the axes of the horizontal coordinate system in astronomy.
Zeiss Instruments- a company founded by Carl Zeiss (September 11, 1816 – December 3, 1888) .Check out their home page here. You may also be interested in checking out Calculation of glass properties - a significant contribution to the success of the companies Zeiss and Schott.
Zoning-a term used in urban planning for a system of land-use regulation in various parts of the world, including North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The word is derived from the practice of designating permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another. Zoning may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these. [link Wikipedia]
Zmax.net- We've talked about the surveying system from quite a few times (link to manufacturer).
W Terms
W (Land Status Records) – West.
WA – Washington.
WAA (Land Status Records) – War Assets Administration.
WAR DEPT (Land Status Records) – War Department.
WASH. – Washington. See Washington Land Surveyors
WASH MER (Land Status Records) – Washington Meridian.
WC – Witness Corner.
W/CHG (Land Status Records ) – With Change(s).
WCMC – Witness Corner Meander Corner. WC is the abbreviation for Witness Corner when used alone or, as in this
case, with another abbreviation; however, in the field notes or in simply talking about it, a surveyor would say,
“Witness Meander Corner,” not “Witness Corner Meander Corner.”
WD (Land Status Records) – Warranty deed.
WDL (Land Status Records) – Withdrawal.
WDN (Land Status Records) – Withdrawn.
WFO – Western Field Office. Established in Portland, Oregon in 1973. See SPECIAL OFFICES (BLM).
WI – Wisconsin. See Wisconsin Land Surveyors
WILL MER (Land Status Records) – Williamette Meridian.
WIS. – Wisconsin. See Wisconsin Land Surveyors
W/O (Land Status Records) – Without.
WO – Washington Office.
WP (Land Status Records) – Water Power.
W P – Witness Point.
W.P.C. – Witness private claim. Used in the speciman field notes in the General Instructions of 1855.
WP DES (Land Status Records) – Water Power Designation.
WR (Land Status Records) – Water rights.
WR MER (Land Status Records) – Wind River Meridian.
WS (Land Status Records) – Watershed.
WT (Land Status Records) – Warrant.
WV – West Virginia. See West Virginia Land Surveyors
WY – Wyoming. See Wyoming Land Surveyors
WYO – Wyoming. See Wyoming Land Surveyors
WAGON ROAD GRANT – A grant of public lands made to a State to aid in the construction of military wagon roads.
WARRANTY – A promise that a statement is true. In conveyancing, a warranty deed conveys fee title (to the land
described) to the grantee and in addition guarantees the grantor will make good the title if it is found wanting. See
DEED, BARGAIN AND SALE and PATENT.
WASHINGTON MERIDAN – 1) The Act of September 28, 1850 (9 Stat. 515), provided for the adoption of the
meridian of the observatory at Washington, which passes through the old Naval Observatory at 24th Street and
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., as the American Meridian for all astronomic purposes. The meridian
of Greenwich was, under this act, adopted for all nautical purposes. The act was repealed August 22, 1912 (37 Stat.
342). During the nearly 62 years the act was in force, the meridional boundaries of the Territories and States of
Arizona, Colorado, Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming and the States of Kansas, Nebraska, New
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Mexico and Utah were referred to the Washington Meridian, which is 77 03’02” .3 west of Greenwich, according to
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Geological Survey Bulletin 1212. Aaron L. Shalowitz, LL.M., Coast and Geodetic Survey, says it is 77 03’06” .276.
2) The principal meridian, adopted in 1803, which governs surveys in the southwestern part of Mississippi is also
named the Washington Meridian.
WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES – All waters within the United States which are navigable for the purpose of
commerce, or whose navigation successfully aids commerce.
WAY – A road, street or other passage. Technically, a right of passage over land.
WAYLEAVE – A right of way over or through land for the carriage of minerals from a mine or quarry. It is an
easement of the class called “rights of way,” and is generally created by express grant or reservation.
WEEKS LAW LANDS – Federal acquired lands within National Forest boundaries acquired under 36 Stat. 961, the
weeks law.
WHARFING OUT, RIGHT OF – A right to the exclusive use of submerged lands as by the affixing thereto or the
establishment thereon of a permanent structure to some point within a navigable body of water. It presupposes
exclusive use and to that extent it may interfere with fishing or navigation.
WHARF PERMIT – A permit which authorizes the use of a shore-space reserve for wharfage purposes.
WILDLIFE REFUGE – A reservation for the protection of wildlife.
WILDLIFE REFUGE EXCHANGE – An exchange whereby the Federal Government receives title to lands within a
wildlife refuge.
WILLIAMETTE MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in Oregon and Washington; it was adopted
in 1851.
WIND RIVER MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in a small area in Wyoming; it was adopted
in 1875.
WINZE – In mining, a vertical or steeply inclined passageway driven to connect a mine working with another.
WITHDRAWAL – An action which restricts the disposition of public lands and which holds them for specific public
purposes; also, public lands which have been dedicated to public purposes. See WITHDRAWAL, GENERAL
ORDERS OF; RESERVATION.
WITHDRAWAL, GENERAL ORDERS OF – Under Executive orders Numbers 6910 (Nov. 26, 1934), and 6964
(Feb. 5, 1935), known as the “General Orders of Withdrawal,” all vacant public lands in Alabama, Arizona,
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin,
and Wyoming were withdrawn for classification.
WITHIN LIMITS – At less than allowable linear and angular errors of closure as set forth in the Manual of Surveying
Instructions. Also within rectangular limits.
WITNESS – A person who testifies as to what he has observed. See EXPERT WITNESS.
WITNESS CORNER – A monumented survey point usually on the line of survey near a corner established as a
reference when the corner is so situated as to render its monumentation or ready use impracticable.
WITNESS POINT – A monumented station on a line of the survey, employed to perpetuate an important location
without special relation to any regular corner, except that the bearing or distance may be known.
WITNESS TREE – According to the General Instructions of 1846, and other instructions prior to that year, “Witness
trees are signalized and marked as (bearing trees), but the course and distance to them, as well as the small chop,
are omitted.” Later, all trees used as corner accessories were marked as bearing trees, and the distance and bearing
from the corner was recorded. The term “Witness tree” became obsolete. See BEARING TREE.
WRIT OF ERROR – A process of common law origin, it is a precept issued in writing by an appellate court to a lower
court for supposed error in law apparent on record. A writ of error removes nothing to the higher court for re-
examination except the law. See APPEAL.
T Terms
T (Land Status Records) – Township.
TA (Land Status Records) – Tentative Approval.
TALL MER (Land Status Records) – Tallahasee Meridian.
TC (Land Status Records) – Timber culture.
TCP (Land Status Records) – Timber Cutting Permit.
TEL (Land Status Records) – Telephone.
TELEG (Land Status Records) – Telegraph.
TEMP (Land Status Records) – Temporary.
TERM (Land Status Records) – Terminate, Termination.
T&M (Land Status Records) – Trade and Manufacturing.
TMB (Land Status Records) – Timber.
T & M SITE – Trade and Manufacturing Site.
TN – Tennessee.
TNS (Land Status Records) – Townsite.
TP (Land Status Records) – Township.
TR (Land Status Records) – TRACT.
TRANS (Land Status Records) – Transmission.
TRF (Land Status Records ) – Transfer.
TRFD (Land Status Records) – Transferred.
TRF JURIS (Land Status Records) – Transfer of Jurisdiction.
TRI STA (Land Status Records) – Triangulation Station.
TRSP (Land Status Records) – Trespass.
T/S (Land Status Records) – Timber and Stone.
TS – Town site. The permanent monuments placed at each turning point of town-site boundary lines are marked not
only with the usual subdivisional information, but also with the capital-letter initials of the town-site name followed
by TS.
TX – Texas.
TACK LINE –A straight line projected from point (tack) to point as opposed to a solar line run along an astronomic
bearing with a solar attachment.
TALLAHASSEE MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in Florida and in a small part of Alabama;
it was adopted in 1824.
TALLY – 1) Five chains as measured with a two pole chain. 2) A method of keeping track of count.
TALLY PIN – A chaining pin.
TALUS – A slope. Especially a steep slope formed by an accumulation of rock debris. See CONTINENTAL TALUS,
SCREE SLOPE.
TALWEG – See THALWEG and RULE OF THALWEG.
TANGENT – 1) A straight line that touches a given curve at only one point and does not intersect it. 2) In the public
lands surveys, a straight line, tangent to a parallel of latitude, usually at a township corner. 3) That part of a traverse
of alinement included between the point of tangency (P.T.) of one curve and the point of curvature (P.C.) of the next
curve. 4) A trigonometric function of an angle. See TANGENT SCREW*.
TAYLOR ACT EXCHANGE – An exchange consummated under the provisions of section 8 of the Taylor Grazing
Act. See EXCHANGE, PRIVATE EXCHANGE and STATE EXCHANGE.
TAYLOR GRAZING ACT – Act of June 28, 1934 (48 Stat. 1269; 43 U.S.C. sec. 315), as amended. See GRAZING
SERVICE.
TENEMENT – In its original, proper and legal sense, “tenement” signifies everything that may be held, if it is a
permanent nature, whether it is corporeal or incorporeal. Though often applied to houses and other buildings or to
lands, it is also applicable to offices, rents, franchises and so forth. See CORPOREAL, INCORPOREAL and
HEREDITAMENT.
TERRITORY (methods of acquisition) – The United States has acquired territory principally by the following three
methods:
1. by treaty
2. by joint resolution of the two houses of Congress
3. by statute.
TERRITORY – In American law, a portion of the United States, not within the limits of any state, which has not yet
been admitted as a state of the Union, but is organized with a separate legislature, and with executive and judicial
officers appointed by the president.
TERRITORY NORTHWEST OF THE OHIO RIVER – The Territory bounded on the west by the Mississippi River
and a line running north from its source to the international boundary, on the north by the boundary line between the
United States and the British possessions, on the east by the Pennsylvania and New York State lines, and on the
south by the Ohio River. It was made up of claims of Virginia, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and comprised an
area of approximately 278,000 square miles. From this territory the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and
Wisconsin were formed. It also included that part of Minnesota which lies east of the Mississippi River and the
northwest corner of Pennsylvania.
TESTIMONY – Evidence given by a competent witness, under oath or affirmation; as distinguished from evidence
derived from writings and other sources. The words “testimony” and “evidence” are not synonymous. See
EVIDENCE and WITNESS, EXPERT.
TEXAS ACCESSION – The Republic of Texas was admitted as a State in 1845, but retained title to all unoccupied
lands. Thus, Texas was not a public-land State. Part of this territory was, however, purchased by the United States in
1850, and is now included in the States of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming. This purchase
added approximately 75 million acres of public lands to the United States.
THALWEG - The “downway,” meaning the course taken by boats going downstream in a river. The line following
the lowest part of a valley, whether under water or not. The intricacy of detail in ordinary relief often makes difficult
a practical location of a thalweg; in a survey of a political boundary line this difficulty may assume considerable
weight. A thalweg may also be defined as the line down the center of the main channel of a stream or as the line of
greatest slope, cutting all contours at right angles. See THREAD OF THE STREAM and RULE OF THALWEG.
THENCE – In surveying and in metes and bounds descriptions, the term designates that the course and distance given
thereafter is a continuation from the course and distance given before.
THENCE DOWN THE RIVER – This phase, as used in a surveyor’s field notes, is construed to mean “with the
meanders of the river.”
THEODOLITE – A precision surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. The graduated circles
are usually read by means of optical microscopes and are more precisely graduated than are the circles on a transit.
See TRANSIT.
THEORETICAL CORNER*.
THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN – The principal meridian, adopted in 1805, which governs surveys in a large part
of Illinois. It is abbreviated 3rd Prin. Mer.
THIRTEEN ORIGINAL COLONIES – See THIRTEEN ORIGINAL STATES.
THIRTEEN ORIGINAL STATES – The Thirteen Original Colonies, upon revolt from the British Crown, became
sovereign, independent states. They are: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
THREAD OF THE STREAM – Though the courts do not always agree on definitions, the great weight of authority is
to the effect that the thread of the stream is the center of the main channel thereof. If there are two prominent
channels, the thread of the stream is the center of the channel used for navigation. See THALWEG and MEDIUM
FILUM ACQUAE.
THROW – In mining, the vertical distance between the parts of a vein which have been separated by a fault, measured
at right angles to the strike of the fault. A horizontal fault can have no throw , and a vertical fault can have no heave .
See HEAVE.
TIDAL CURRENT – A horizontal movement of the water caused by gravitational interactions between the sun, moon
and earth. See TIDE.
TIDAL DATUM – A reference for leveling defined by tidal phase observation and measurements. Mean sea level is
usually used as the datum for elevations. Mean high water, mean low water and similar terms are tidal datums.
TIDE – The periodic rising and falling of the water that results from the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun
acting upon the rotating earth. See TIDAL CURRENT.
TIDE, EBB – The movement of the tidal current away from the shore or down a tidal stream. The correct technical
term is “Ebb Current.”
TIDE, FLOOD – The movement of a tidal current toward the shore or up a tidal stream. The correct technical term is
“Flood Current.”
TIDELANDS – Coastal areas situated above mean low tide and below mean high tide, particularly the areas alternately
covered and uncovered by the daily tides. As part of the bed of navigable waters, such lands belong to the states by
right of sovereignty. Tidelands, including coastal “salt marshes” are not subject to survey. In contrast, coastal
marshes not covered by daily tides are “swamp and overflowed lands” within the meaning of the various “Swamp
Lands Acts,” and are subject to survey. See NAVIGABLE WATERS, LOUISIANA SWAMP LANDS ACT OF
1849, SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1850, SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1860 and SWAMP AND OVERFLOWED
LANDS.
TIDE, NEAP – See NEAP TIDES.
TIE – A survey connection to an existing station or corner of the Public Lands from a point whose position is desired to
be referenced.
TIE IN – 1) To make a connection to a previously determined point. 2) To connect corner accessories, topographic and
cultural features to the survey.
TIE POINT – The point to which a survey connection is made.
TIER (United States public land surveys) – Any series of contiguous townships situated east and west of each other;
also, sections similarly situated within a township.
TIMBER AND STONE ACT – An 1878 act which authorized the negotiated sale of public lands especially valuable
for either timber or stone, and otherwise unfit for cultivation. The Timber and Stone Act was repealed in 1955.
TIMBER AND STONE ENTRY – An entry of public lands valuable for timber and stone made under laws now
repealed. See TIMBER AND STONE ACT.
TIMBER CULTURE ACT – In 1873 Congress passed an act to encourage the growth of timber on the western
prairies. It provided for the entry of public lands if the entryman planted and cultivated trees on a specified part of
the land. The law was repealed in 1891.
TITLE – In real property law, title is a means whereby the owner of lands has the just possession of his property.
TITLE 43 – Refers to Title 43 (Public lands) of the United States Code (U.S.C.), or to Title 43 (Public Lands: Interior)
of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.).
TOPOGRAPHY – Collective or individual features both natural and cultural, improvements, significant changes in
character of land and relief which are tied to a point on the survey line or are intersected by it. See
TOPOGRAPHY*.
TORRENS REGISTRATION SYSTEM – The basic principle of the system is the registration of the title to the land,
instead of recording the evidence of such title.
TOWN LOT – A subdivision of a townsite or of an urban subdivision.
TOWN LOT ENTRY – A cash entry of a town lot within a townsite. See TOWNSITE.
TOWNSHIP – The unit of survey of the public lands; normally a quadrangle approximately 6 miles on a side with
boundaries conforming to meridians and parallels within established limits, containing thirty-six sections, some of
which are designed to correct for the convergence of meridians or range lines. See FRACTIONAL TOWNSHIP.
TOWNSHIP CORNER – A corner of a township. See CLOSING TOWNSHIP CORNER.
TOWNSHIP LINES – The township boundaries that run north and south are termed “range lines;” with few
exceptions the range lines are run on cardinal and have been intended to be on cardinal. The boundaries running east
and west are termed “township lines.” By law, they were intended to be on true parallels of latitude.
TOWNSHIP PLAT – See PLAT.
TOWNSITE – An area of public lands which has been segregated for disposal as an urban development, often
subdivided into blocks, which are further subdivided into town lots.
TOWNSITE ENTRY – A cash entry of a townsite.
TOWNSITE RESERVE – A reservation of public lands which have potential value as a townsite. See MUNICIPAL
RESERVES.
TOWNSITE SURVEY – A survey of street and lot boundaries executed to segregate from the public lands an area
qualifying under the townsite laws.
TRACT – Generally, a metes and bounds survey of an area at large within a township. In modern public land surveys
the term is used specifically to mean a parcel of land that lies in more than one section or that cannot be identified
completely as a part of a particular section. Tract numbers begin with the next higher number of the numerical
designation within a township, for example: if there is an old numbers are sequential and no number is repeated
within a township, for example; if there is an old Mineral Lot No. 37, the tract would be Tract No. 38. If a tract falls
across a township line it is given a separate number in each township. See LOT.
TRACT BOOK – Starting about 1800, tract books designed primarily for the maintenance of permanent records of all
transactions involving public domain lands were created and maintained in local land offices. Tract books were the
companion records to the land office “status plat.” Prior to the beginning of the records improvement program in
1955, these records constituted the records required in accordance with 43 C.F.R. 1813.1-1. Over the years, many of
the tract books became worn and mutilated making status difficult to determine. To protect these books from further
damage and to preserve the information they contain, these records are now microfilmed. As this is done, the tract
books are transferred to the appropriate Federal records center as part of the National Archives. See LAND OFFICE
STATUS PLAT, HISTORIC INDEX, MASTER TITLE PLAT and USE PLAT.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURING SITE (Alaska) – Section 10 of the Act of May 14, 1898, as amended August 23,
1958, authorizes, under its terms and provisions, the sale of not more than 80 acres of land in Alaska possessed and
occupied in good faith as a trade and manufacturing site.
TRADE-AND-MANUFACTURING-SITE ENTRY – A cash entry of 80 acres or less in Alaska which are used as a
trade or manufacturing site.
TRANSIT – A repeating surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. The graduated circles are
usually not graduated as precisely as are those on a theodolite. See THEODOLITE.
TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 1940 – Act of September 18, 1940 (54 Stat. 954). See RELEASED RAILROAD
CLAIMS.
TRANSVERSE MERCATOR MAP PROJECTION – A conformal map plotting system in which points on the
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ellipsoid are mathematically projected onto a cylinder whose axis is oriented 90 (transverse) to the axis of the
ellipsoid. The cylinder surface may meet the ellipsoid at the map center or it may cut below the surface (secant)
creating two parallels where the scale is exact. The secant form of this projection is the basis of State Plane
Coordinate Systems where the zone extends north-south more than east-west.
TRAVERSE – In surveying, a sequence of lengths and directions of lines between points on the earth, obtained by field
measurements and used to determine the positions of the points through use of trigonometric computations.
TREATY OF GHENT, 1814 – By the treaty of peace concluded at Ghent (Belgium) on December 24, 1814, it was
agreed to provide for a final adjustment of the boundaries described in the Treaty of 1783 that had not yet been
ascertained and determined, embracing certain islands in the Bay of Fundy and the whole of the boundary line from
the source of the River St. Croix to the most northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods.
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HILDAGO – The peace treaty signed Feb. 2, 1848, at the close of the Mexican War,
and proclaimed July 4, 1848. See MEXICAN CESSION.
TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1782 – The original limits of the United States were first definitely described in
the provisional treaty concluded with Great Britain on November 30, 1782.
TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1783 – The definite treaty of peace with Great Britain concluded on September
3, 1783, defines the boundaries of the United States in terms similar to those of the provisional treaty. The northern
boundary became at once a fruitful source of dissension between the two countries. From the time of the conclusion
of peace almost to the present day (1954) the definite location of this line has been subject to a series of treaties,
commissions, and surveys.
TREATY WITH SPAIN, 1795 – The southern boundary of the United States was described in definite terms by the
treaties with Great Britain of 1782 and 1783, but its location was not accepted by Spain and was disputed by that
country until settled by the treaty concluded on October 27, 1795.
TREATY WITH SPAIN, 1819 – The treaty of February 22, 1819, settled conflicting claims between the United States
and Spain concerning East and West Florida. The third article of the treaty defines the boundary between the United
States and the Spanish possessions in the Southwest. The western boundary of the United States south of the 42nd
parallel, as fixed by this treaty, was confirmed by treaty with Mexico on January 12, 1828, since by that time
Mexico had gained independence from Spain.
TRESPASS – An unlawful act causing injury to rights or property of another. As used in BLM, an unauthorized use of
federal lands or resources.
TRIANGULATION STATION – A marked and/or described point whose position has been determined by
triangulation. The usage has broadened to include any precise control station.
TRUE – 1) The correct value, as distinguished from an assumed value or approximate value. 2) An adjective applied to
bearings indicating astronomic or geodetic values. See TRUE LINE.
TRUE LINE – A line of constant bearing (Rhumb Line) between two corners of a survey.
TRUSTEE DEED – A deed which is issued by the trustee in connection with the sale in Alaska of a town lot in a
trustee town site.
TRUSTEE TOWN SITE, Alaska – An area of public land in Alaska which has been segregated for disposal as an
urban development, the town lots which are sold by a trustee appointed by the Secretary of Interior.
TRUST PATENT – See PATENT, TRUST.
TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS – Islands in the western Pacific; the Caroline, Marshall and
Mariana (except Guam) Groups. Formerly under Japanese mandate, they were placed under the administration of the
United States Department of the Interior through an agreement with the United Nations following World War II.
T-SHEET – A topographic map or chart prepared by the former Coast and Geodetic Survey, and now by the National
Ocean Survey, including the manuscript copy. The topographic map is identified with a number, prefixed with the
letter T, such as T-5542. As now prepared they are prefixed “TP” (topographic-photogrammetric). The term “T-
Sheet” is an inhouse expression to denote such maps and charts.
TUNNEL – In mining, a lateral or horizontal passage underground intended to reach the vein or mineral deposit, where
a drift may begin. See DRIFT, SHAFT and ADIT.
TUNNEL LOCATIONS – Tunnel sites are acquired in accordance with local rules and customs, but may not exceed
3000 feet as imposed by Federal law. When a lode is discovered within a tunnel, the owner is called upon to make a
surface location of the vein or lode as required by law. Discontinuing operations for 6 months constitutes
abandonment of all right to the veins along the line of the tunnel.
TURNING POINT – In meandering, or in any irregular survey, “turning point” is synonymous with “angle point.” In
leveling, however, “turning point” refers to an intermediate point of known elevation in a level circuit.
TWENTY-FOUR-MILE TRACTS – The largest unit in the rectangular system of surveys. Each area controlled by a
principal meridian and a base line is divided into tracts by means of standard parallels or correction lines (true
parallels of latitude) located at intervals of 24 miles to the north and south of the base line and by means of guide
meridians (true meridians) spaced at intervals of 24 miles east and west of the principal meridian. Because of the
convergence of the meridians, the distance between the guide meridians is 24 miles only at the starting points; at all
other points, the distance is less by the amount of the convergence. Twenty-four-mile tracts were first specified in
the 1881 Manual of Surveying Instructions.
S Terms
S (Land Status Records) – South.
SAH (Land Status Records) – Soldier’s Additional Homestead.
SB MER (Land Status Records) – San Bernardino Meridian.
SC – South Carolina.
SCS (Land Status Records) – Subsistence Camp Site.
SCS (Land Status Records ) – United States Soil Conservation Service.
SD (Land Status Records) – State Director.
SD – South Dakota.
S. DAK. – South Dakota.
SDO (Land Status Records) – State Director’s Order.
SDS (Land Status Records) – Soldier’s declaratory statement.
SDW (Land Status Records) – Stock Driveway.
SDW WDL (Land Status Records) – Stock driveway withdrawal.
SE (Land Status Records) – Southeast.
SEC (Land Status Records) – Section.
SEC OF AGRI (Land Status Records) – Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC OF THE INT (Land Status Records) – Secretary of the Interior.
SEGR (Land Status Records) – Segregate or Segregated.
SEL (Land Status Records) – Selection or Selected.
SEW MER (Land Status Records) – Seward Meridian.
SG (Land Status Records) – State Grant.
SHC (Land Status Records) – Small Holding Claim.
SI (Land Status Records) – Silver.
SIM (Land Status Records) – Simultaneous.
SL MER (Land Status Records) – Salt lake meridian.
SLUP (Land Status Records) – Special Land Use Permit.
S&M (Land Status Records) – Soil and moisture.
SMC – Special Meander Corner.
SO – State Office.
SO (Land Status Records) – Secretary’s Order.
SOD (Land Status Records) – Sodium.
SPEC PER (Land Status Records) – Special permit.
SR (Land Status Records) – Serial Register.
SRHE (Land Status Records) – Stockraising Homestead Entry.
SS (Land Status Records) – State Selection.
SSE (Land Status Records) – Subsurface Estate.
ST (Land Status Records) – Small Tract.
STA (Land Status Records) – Station.
STAT. – Statutes. Used in citing a reference to the United States Statutes at large, for example: 85 Stat. 688, which cites
the eighty-fifth volume of the United Statues at large, at page 688.
ST CL (Land Status Records) – Small tract classification.
ST HEL MER (Land Status Records) – St. Helena Meridian.
ST LSE (Land Status Records) – Small tract lease.
STS (Land Status Records ) – Small tract sale.
ST. STEP MER (Land Status Records) – St. Stephens Meridian.
SUBDIV UND (Land Status Records) – Subdivisions undefined.
SUBJ (Land Status Records) – Subject.
SUL (Land Status Records) – Sulphur.
SUPPL (Land Status Records) – Supplemental.
SUR (Land Status Records) – Survey or Surveyed.
SUS (Land Status Records) – Suspended.
SW (Land Status Records) – Southwest.
SX (Land Status Records) – State Exchange.
SALT LAKE MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in most of Utah; it was adopted in 1855.
SALT MARSH – An area of low lying, wet ground containing a high proportion of salt or alkali; generally in arid
regions. See COASTAL SALT MARSH and ALKALI FLAT.
SCALE FACTOR*.
SCHOOL LAND DEFICIENCY OR LOSS – Land included in a State school-land grant which the State did not
receive, because it was fractional, or claimed prior to admission, or reserved for some other purpose, is termed a loss
or deficiency from the area granted. Under such circumstances, a State is entitled to a lieu selection. See SCHOOL
LAND INDEMNITY SELECTION.
SCHOOL-LAND INDEMNITY SELECTION – A lieu selection made by a State to compensate for School Lands
which it did not secure.
SCHOOL LAND PATENT – A patent which is issued to a State to give it additional evidence of title to a school
section since title to school sections ordinarily passes to a State merely upon filing of the accepted survey of the
lands. See GRANT IN PLACE and IN PRAESENTI.
SCHOOL LANDS – Sometimes referred to as “school sections” they are the lands included in a grant in place, or a
grant in praesenti, to a State in support of common schools. Under the Ordinance of May 20, 1785, section 16
(called Lot 16 in the Ordinance) in each township was set aside for the maintenance of public schools. In 1850 this
was changed to sections 16 and 36. In Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, sections 2, 16, 32 and 36 were granted.
SCREE SLOPE – A steep slope formed of rocky material with a marked tendency to creep or slide. See TALUS.
SCRIBE – A hand tool used by surveyors to inscribe the prescribed markings on bearing trees. See SCRIBING*.
SCRIP – A certificate which allows the owner to make a selection of a specified number of acres out of available public
lands.
SEAL – In law, a particular sign, made to attest in the most formal manner, the execution of a document or instrument.
SECANT – 1) A line that cuts a geometric curve or surface at two or more points. 2) A trigonometric function of an
angle. See SECANT METHOD and SECANT CONE*.
SECANT METHOD – A method for laying off a parallel of latitude in Public Lands surveying.
SECOND FORM RECLAMATION WITHDRAWAL – A reclamation withdrawal which embraces public lands that
are capable of being irrigated by a reclamation project.
SECOND PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN – The principal meridian which governs surveys in most of Indiana and in part
of Illinois. Adopted in 1805, it is abbreviated 2 Prin. Mer.
SECTION – The unit of subdivision of a township with boundaries conforming to the rectangular system of surveys,
nominally one mile square, containing 640 acres. See REGULAR SECTION, FRACTIONAL SECTION and
IRREGULAR SECTION.
SECTIONAL CORRECTION LINE – A latitudinal section line run to rectify a defective latitudinal governing
boundary. It is run on cardinal bearing to intersect the opposite controlling boundary where a closing corner is
established. See STANDARD PARALLEL, AUXILIARY STANDARD PARALLEL and GOVERNING
SECTION LINE.
SECTIONAL GUIDE MERIDIAN &nbnbsp; – A meridional section line run to rectify a defective meridional governing
boundary. It is run on cardinal bearing to intersect the opposite controlling boundary where a closing corner is
established. See GUIDE MERIDIAN, AUXILIARY GUIDE MERIDIAN and GOVERNING SECTION LINE.
SECTION CORNER – A corner at the extremity of a section boundary.
SECTION, HALF – Any two quarter sections within a section which have a common boundary; usually identified as
the north half, south half, east half, or west half of a particular section.
SECTION, QUARTER – One of the aliquot parts of a section. Normally it is a quadrangle measuring approximately
� mile on each side and containing approximately 160 acres.
SECTION, QUARTER-QUARTER – One of the alquot parts of a quarter section. Normally it is a quadrangle
measuring approximately � mile on each side and containing approximately 40 acres.
SEGREGATION SURVEY – Definition by running survey lines on the ground which separate appropriated lands
from the public lands. See MINERAL SEGREGATION SURVEY.
SELECTION – In general, an application to acquire title to public lands which is submitted by an applicant who
acquired the right to apply for such lands by receipt of a grant, by surrender of his own lands in an exchange, by
relinquishment of his rights to other lands (lieu selection), by surrender of scrip or by similar means.
SEMITANGENT – The distance from the point of curvature or point of tangency to the point of intersection of a
highway curve.
SENIOR CORNER – A point established and monumented by an approved prior survey.
SENIOR LINE – Survey lines created at different times have different standings. The “senior” line would be the line
which was surveyed and approved first. See SENIOR RIGHTS.
SENIOR RIGHTS – The rights which take precedence. The first patent issued usually takes precedence in a situation
where a later survey is in conflict with an earlier survey. The first patent issued usually has the superior (senior)
right or title regardless of the dates of the surveys.
SENIOR SURVEY – The oldest of two or more surveys which fixed the position of the line and is controlling unless
officially superseded by a subsequent survey.
SERIAL REGISTERS – Serial registers were instituted in 1908 as a digest of land case records. BLM maintains these
individual chronological records of each public land transaction. Each transaction (case) appears as a page or pages
in a serial register. Each one is identified by the serial number assigned to it. A running record of each case, its
inception and any actions on it, is kept in book form in the land office of each public domain land state. Serial
register pages are now microfilmed for ease in retrieval of information as well as to conserve space. As cases are
closed the files for them are sent to Federal records centers of the General Services Administration. Also See
CONTROL DOCUMENT INDEX.
SETTLEMENT CLAIM – A claim to a right to make a homestead entry. Such claims are based upon actual settlement
of the public lands involved. They can no longer be initiated except in Alaska.
SEVEN RANGES, THE – The first cadastral survey of the public lands of the United States began in July 1786, in the
area immediately south of the “Geographer’s Line,” in southeastern Ohio. It is called “The Seven Ranges” because
plans called for the inclusion of seven ranges of townships in the first tract of land to be offered for sale. In the
survey of the seven ranges, sections are numbered from south to north in each range, with number 1 in the southeast
corner of the township and number 36 in the northwest corner. See GEOGRAPHER’S LINE, THE; ORDINANCE
OF MAY 20, 1785.
SEWARD MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in southwestern Alaska; it was adopted in 1911.
SHAFT – In mining, an opening made at the surface and extending downward into the earth vertically. See DRIFT,
TUNNEL and ADIT.
SHORE – The land which is covered and uncovered by the rise and fall of the normal tide. It is the strip of land
between the mean high water and mean low water lines. In its strictest use, the term applies only to land along tidal
waters. See TIDELANDS.
SHORELINE, OCEAN (T.R. No. 4) – The intersection of a specified plane of water with the shore or beach (e.g., the
high water shore line would be the intersection of the plane of mean high water with the shore or beach). The line
delineating the shore line on U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey nautical charts and surveys approximates the mean
high water line. The terms “shoreline” and “coast line” are frequently used as being synonymous. When “shore
line” is used the user should specify what is meant, e.g., mean high water shore line, mean low water shore line, etc.
See BEACH, SHORE, COAST LINE, MEAN HIGH WATER, FORESHORE, BACKSHORE, etc.
SHORE LINE, RIVER – The shore line is the line which is washed by the water wherever it covers the bed of the
river within its banks. It lies along the bank at the mean level attained by the waters of the river when they reach and
wash the bank without overflowing it.
SHORE, OCEAN – “This is the most important of the four zones, and extends from the low water mark inshore to the
base of the cliff (large or small), which usually marks the landward limit of effective wave action. It is the zone over
which the line of contact between land and sea migrates,” per Shalowitz. This definition of “shore” describes the
same zone as that given by Johnson, and Technical Report No. 4, for “Beach.”
The legal definition of “shore” as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Borax Consolidated, Ltd. V.
City of Los Angeles, 296 U.S. 10, 22-23 (1935) is: (quote) By the civil law, the shore extends as far as the highest
waves reach in winter. But by common law the shore “is confined to the flux and reflux of the sea at ordinary
tides.” It is the land “between ordinary high and low water mark, the land over which the daily tides ebb and flow.
(end quote)
By those definitions the civil law (at least in California) describes the “shore” or “beach” as defined by Shalowitz,
whereas the common law describes the same zone which is also legally defined as the “tidelands.” See BEACH,
FORESHORE, BACKSHORE and TIDELANDS.
SHORE SPACE LIMITATION – The limitation of 160 rods or 80 rods of shore space along navigable waters
pertaining to certain land entries in Alaska. For provisions of determining the “shore space,” see 43 C.F.R. 2094.1.
SHORE-SPACE RESERVE, ALASKA – A reservation of public lands along navigable and certain other waters in
Alaska, chiefly for harborage purposes.
SIC – Thus. Intentionally so written. Used after a word or passage to indicate that it is meant to be exactly as printed or
to indicate that it reproduces an original even if in error as to spelling or usage.
SIDE LINE – Applied to a strip of land such as a lot or other tract, it defines the boundaries of that tract. Not applied to
the ends of a strip. In mining law, the “side lines” of a claim, as platted or laid down on the ground, are those which
mark its longer dimension where it follows the course of the vein. If the claim as a whole crosses the vein instead of
following its course, the “side lines” are still the boundaries of the longer dimension, even though they cross the
vein. See END LINE.
SIGHT TREE – Same as Line Tree, or on older surveys, Station Tree. See LINE TREE.
SINGLE PROPORTIONATE MEASUREMENT (also called “two-way” proportion) – A method of proportioning
measurement in the restoration of a lost corner whose position is determined with reference to alinement in one
direction. Examples of such corners are – quarter-section corners on the line between two section corners, all corners
on standard parallels, and all intermediate positions on any township boundary line. The ordinary field problem
consists of distributing the excess or deficiency between two existent corners in such a way that the amount given to
each interval shall bear the same proportion to the whole difference as the record length of the interval bears to the
whole distance. After having applied the proportionate difference to the record length of each interval, the sum of
the several parts will equal the new measurement of the whole distance. See PROPORTIONATE MEASUREMENT
and DOUBLE PROPORTIONATE MEASUREMENT.
SITE – A parcel of ground set apart for a specific use. The word itself does not necessarily imply definite boundaries.
SIXTEENTH-SECTION CORNER – Also termed “quarter-quarter section corner.” A corner at an extremity of a
boundary of a quarter-quarter section; midpoint between or 20 chains from the controlling corners on the section or
township boundaries. Written as 1/16 section corner.
SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN – The last of the principal meridians to be named an ordinal number, it governs
surveys in Kansas, Nebraska, most of Colorado and Wyoming and a small part of South Dakota. Adopted in 1855, it
is abbreviated 6th Prin. Mer. See ORDINAL NUMBER.
SKEW MERCATOR – See OBLIQUE MERCATOR.
SLOPE CHAINED – In some of the older surveys the chaining (measuring) was done on the slope but the distances
measured were not always reduced to the horizontal equivalent and the slope distance was entered in the field note
record. When this systematic error is detected during a retracement cadastral surveyors refer to the line as having
been “sloped chained.”
SLOPE CHAINING – The process of direct measurement of an inclined distance and vertical angle for reduction to its
horizontal equivalent.
SMALLEST LEGAL SUBDIVISION – A quarter-quarter section or one lot. See SUBDIVISION, SMALLEST
LEGAL and MINOR SUBDIVISIONS.
SMALL-HOLDING CLAIM ENTRY – An entry in connection with which the entryman and his predecessors-in-
interest maintained continuous, adverse, actual, bona fide possession of public lands in the Southwest for at least 20
years prior to cadastral survey of the lands involved (acts of March 3, 1891, 26 Stat. 861; and June 15, 1922, 42 Stat.
650).
SMALL TRACT – A parcel of public lands of 5 acres or less which has been found chiefly valuable for sale or lease as
a home, recreation, business, or community site under the act of June 1, 1938 (52 Stat. 609; 43 U.S.C. 682 a-c), as
amended.
SMALL TRACT ACT – The Act of June 1, 1938 (52 Stat. 609; 43 U.S.C. 682 a-c), as amended, authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior, under its terms and requirements, to lease or sell parcels (not to exceed 5 acres) of vacant,
unreserved public lands, including such lands in Alaska, and public lands withdrawn under the “General Orders of
Withdrawal,” and those lands withdrawn or reserved for any purposes by the Secretary, but which may be classified
by him as being chiefly valuable for sale or lease as a home, recreation, business, or community site under
conditions as set forth in the Act. See WITHDRAWAL and WITHDRAWAL, GENERAL ORDERS OF.
SMALL-TRACT CLASSIFICATION – Classification of public lands as being chiefly valuable for sale or lease as
small tracts; also, the public lands so classified.
SNOW BLAZE – In regions subject to heavy snowfall it is desirable survey practices to make a small additional blaze
at a height of 6 or 8 feet above the ground on tree monuments and bearing trees to attract attention to them during
the winter.
SOLAR ATTACHMENT – An auxiliary device mounted on a surveyor’s instrument which mechanically solves the
pole-zenith-sun spherical triangle. When the sun’s declination, the latitude of the station and hour angle of the sun
are correctly set off on the solar attachment, the instrument on which it is mounted may readily be oriented to the
astronomic meridian.
The first solar attachment was patented by William Burt and when mounted on a surveyor’s compass it became a
“Burt Solar Compass.” Modern solar attachments are of the telescopic type.
SOLAR LINE – A line run along an astronomic bearing with a solar attachment. See TACK LINE.
SOLDIERS’ ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD ENTRY – A selection based on rights of Civil War veterans who had
made a homestead entry for less than 160 acres to select enough public lands to make up the difference between the
area of their homestead and 160 acres.
SPECIAL DEPOSIT SURVEY – A survey authorized by law, executed by BLM personnel but at no cost to the
government, estimated costs to be deposited to BLM prior to survey. (43 U.S.C. 682b, 757-761, 887; 30 U.S.C. secs.
701 through 709; 43 C.F.R. 2215.3; BLM 2233.15A5 and A5b; 2233.15A6a and d; 2215.31c.) One example:
Mining Claim Occupancy Surveys.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – The written statement containing the detailed specifications for every cadastral survey
assignment.
The special instructions include the basic information necessary for accomplishing the field work and are an
important part of the record relating to the survey. Special instructions are usually prepared by the officer in
administrative charge of the work. They are usually written in the third person and, together with the Manual and
supportive data, contain the necessary specifications and information for execution of the survey. See
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS.
SPECIAL LAND USE PERMIT – A permit which authorizes the use of public lands for purposes not specifically
authorized, or forbidden, by law.
SPECIAL MEANDER CORNER – A corner established at: 1) The intersection of a surveyed subdivision-of-section
line and a meander line; 2) The intersection of a computed center line of a section and a meander line. In the latter
case the center line of the section is calculated and surveyed on a theoretical bearing to an intersection with the
meander line of a lake (over 50 acres in area) which is located entirely within a section.
SPECIAL SURVEY – A cadastral survey that involves unusual application of, or departure from, the rectangular
system. They often carry out the provisions of a special legislative act and include such work as small tract surveys;
townsite survey; island and omitted land surveys; homestead, homesite, trade and manufacturing site surveys; also
the survey and resurvey of portions of sections.
SPECIAL SURVEYS, ALASKA – Metes and bounds surveys of areas settled upon or applied for under certain special
land laws applicable to the State of Alaska. See METES-AND-BOUNDS SURVEY.
SPHERICAL COORDINATES - Pairs of angular values such as latitude and longitude or right ascension and
declination which locates points on a sphere in reference to fixed, or defined, great circles.
SPHEROID – In general, any figure differing but little from a sphere. In geodesy, a mathematical figure closely
approaching the geoid in form and size. See GEOID, GEODETIC SURVEY and SPHEROID*.
SQUATTER’S RIGHTS – An asserted right to occupy public lands by virtue of occupancy.
STANDARD – In cadastral survey slang, an ordinary steel pocket tape marked in chains or feet. In earlier surveyor
usage, “standard” referred to a standard length against which the old-style survey chain was checked for accuracy.
STANDARD CORNER – A senior corner on a standard parallel or base line.
STANDARD FIELD TABLES AND TRIGONOMETRIC FORMULAS – A supplement to the Manual of
Surveying Instructions first published by the General land office in 1910. The eighth edition was published in 1956.
The tables and data are designed for use by cadastral surveyors in the field and office.
STANDARD PARALLEL – Also called “correction line.” A line extended east or west from the principal meridian,
usually at intervals of 24 miles north and south of the base line, along a parallel of latitude. Standard parallels are
established to correct for the convergence of range lines and to maintain a workable adherence to the requirement
that each township be 6 miles square. They are surveyed in the manner prescribed for the survey of the base line.
STANDARD PARALLEL, AUXILIARY – Where standard parallels have been placed at intervals exceeding 24 miles
(under practice permissible prior to the issuance of the 1881 Manual of Surveying Instructions which specified 24
mile tracts), and conditions require additional standard lines, an intermediate correction line is established to which
may be given a local name, such as “Fifth Auxiliary Standard parallel North,” or “Cedar Creek Correction Line.”
An auxiliary standard parallel is run, in all respects, like a regular standard parallel.
STAPLE CROP – A chief commodity or production of a place. A crop used, needed or enjoyed by many people and
therefore produced regularly, or in large quantities, is a “staple crop.” Under the meaning of the grants of swamp
and overflowed lands to various states, a “staple crop” may include tame grass or hay as well as the cereals, cotton
or tobacco normally grown in a specific region. See SWAMP AND OVERFLOWED LANDS.
STARE DECISIS – To abide by, or adhere to, decided cases. It is under the policy of “stare decisis” that courts stand
by precedent and do not disturb a settled point. It is the doctrine which states that when the court has once laid down
a principle of law as applicable to certain state of facts, it will adhere to that principle and apply it to all future cases
where facts are substantially the same. Also See RES JUDICATA and OBITER DICTUM.
STATE COORDINATE SYSTEMS – The plane-rectangular coordinate systems established by the United States
Coast and Geodetic Survey, one or more for each state in the United states, used for defining positions in terms of
plane-rectangular (x and y) coordinates. Also called State Plane Coordinate Systems.
STATE DIRECTOR (BLM) – The principal Bureau official at the State level. He is directly accountable to the
Director of the Bureau of land management. Formerly called State Supervisor.
STATE EXCHANGE – An exchange between the Federal Government and a State. See EXCHANGE, PRIVATE
EXCHANGE and TAYLOR ACT EXCHANGE.
STATE GRANTS – Grants of public lands were made to States for schools and other public purposes. The most
common State grants are: school, swamp, tide land, land under navigable waters, and lands for internal
improvements. Generally, title to State grant lands could pass only after survey of the lands. Originally, mineral
lands were excluded. Also excluded were lands taken by settlers, withdrawn for public purposes or otherwise
disposed of by the Government. These grants by Congress were grants which may pass title to lands without further
approval or documentation by a Federal agency. See SCHOOL LAND PATENT, INDEMNITY LANDS and
RAILROAD GRANT.
STATEHOOD – The Thirteen Original States organized the Federal Union under the name of “The United States of
America” by ratifying the Articles of Confederation, and later, the Constitution. They are: New Hampshire, New
York, Maryland, Georgia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New
Jersey, North Carolina and South Caroline. The other states were admitted to the Union by acts of Congress
(enabling acts), usually upon petition of the citizens residing in the territories in question, as follows:
Alabama – December 14, 1819 (3 Stat. 608)
Alaska – January 3, 1959 (72 Stat. 339)
Arizona – February 14, 1912 (36 Stat. 557; 37 Stat. 1728)
Arkansas – June 15, 1836 (5 Stat. 50)
California – September 9, 1850 (9 Stat. 452)
Colorado – August 1, 1876 (18 Stat. 474; 19 Stat. 665)
Florida – March 3, 1845 (5 Stat. 742)
Hawaii – August 21, 1959 (73 Stat. 4)
Idaho – July 3, 1890 (26 Stat. 215)
Illinois – December 3, 1818 (3 Stat. 536)
Indiana – December 11, 1816 (3 Stat. 399)
Iowa – December 28, 1846 (9 Stat. 117)
Kansas – January 29, 1861 (12 Stat. 126)
Kentucky – June 1, 1792 (1 Stat. 189)
Louisiana – April 30, 1812 (2 Stat. 701)
Maine – March 15, 1820 (3 Stat. L. 544)
Michigan – January 26, 1837 (5 Stat. 144)
Minnesota – May 11, 1858 (11 Stat. 285)
Mississippi – December 10, 1817 (3 Stat. 472)
Missouri – August 10, 1821 (3 stat. 645, 3 stat. Appendix II)
Montana – November 8, 1889 (25 Stat. 676; 26 Stat. 1551)
Nebraska – March 1, 1867 (14 Stat. 391, 820)
Nevada – October 13, 1864 (13 Stat. 30, 749)
New Mexico – January 6, 1912 (36 Stat. 557; 37 Stat. 1723)
North Dakota – November 2, 1889 (25 Stat. 676; 26 Stat. 1548)
Oklahoma – November 16, 1907 (34 Stat. 267; 35 Stat. 2160)
Ohio – Feb. 19, 1903 (2 Stat. 201)
Oregon – February 14, 1859 (11 Stat. 383)
South Dakota – November 2, 1889 (25 Stat. 676; 26 Stat. 1549)
Tennessee – June 1, 1796 (1 Stat. L. 491)
Texas – December 25, 1845 (9 Stat. L. 108)
Utah – January 4, 1896 (28 Stat. 107; 29 Stat. 876)
Vermont – March 4, 1791 (1 Stat. L. 191)
Washington – November 11, 1889 (25 Stat. 676; 26 Stat. 1552)
West Virginia – June 19, 1863 (13 Stat. L. 731)
Wisconsin – May 29, 1848 (9 Stat. 233)
Wyoming – July 10, 1890 (26 Stat. 222).
STATE PLANE COORDINATE SYSTEMS – The plane-rectangular coordinate systems established by the U.S.
Coast and Geodetic Survey, one for each State in the Union, certain territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, used for defining positions of geodetic stations in terms of plane-rectangular (x and y) coordinates.
The two principal systems in use in the United States are the Lambert Conformal Conic map projection and the
Transverse Mercator map projection. See OBLIQUE MERCATOR PROJECTION.
STATE SELECTION – An application to acquire title submitted by a state. See STATE SELECTION SURVEY.
STATE SELECTION LANDS, ALASKA – The enabling act admitting Alaska as a State provides that, within 25
years after statehood, Alaska is granted and entitled to select 103,350,000 acres (161,484 square miles) of vacant
and unappropriated public land.
STATE SELECTION SURVEY – The survey providing limited monumentation of the township boundaries of lands
selected by the State of Alaska.
STATES EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL MINING LAW – States whose land never belonged to the United States, and
states specifically exempted from the Federal mining laws, are not open to location under Federal laws. These states
are Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Massachusetts, Maryland, Georgia, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Kentucky, Alabama, Kansas, Illinois,
Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Texas and Hawaii. See LANDS OPEN TO
MINERAL LOCATION.
STATE SUPERVISOR – Former title of the officer in charge of a State Office of the Bureau of Land Management.
Now called “State Director.”
STATUS DIAGRAM – A diagram prepared from a Master Title Plat and Historical Index. A status diagram showing
the public domain lands usually accompanies the special instructions for each survey.
STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDS – The information with respect to any particular parcel or tract of public land; its legal
description; whether surveyed or unsurveyed; the non-federal rights or privileges, if any; which attach to it or its
resources; whether classified as mineral lands; withdrawals or special laws, if any, which apply to it; and any other
pertinent information which may influence the operation of the public-land laws so far as its use or disposal is
concerned.
STATUTES AT LARGE – See UNITED STATES STATUTES AT LARGE.
ST. HELENA MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in the southeastern part of Louisiana; it was
adopted in 1819.
STICK – A measurement term used in some field notes and deeds in the early 1800’s, a stick is � chain or 2 poles
(rods). It is the point where, in the use under Tiffin’s 1815 instructions of “atwo poles chain of 50 links,” a chain
man called out “stick” to be replied with “stuck.” See OUT, POLE, PERCH, ROOD and TALLY.
STOCKRAISING HOMESTEAD ENTRY – An entry of public lands, classified as being chiefly valuable for grazing
and the growing of forage crops, under the provisions of the Stockraising Homestead Act of December 29, 1916.
The provisions for such homesteads were, by implication, repealed by the Taylor Grazing Act.
STONE BOUND – A substantial stone post set into the ground with its top end approximately flush with the ground
surface. Used to mark accurately and permanently the important corners of a land survey.
STOPE – An underground excavation in which ore is mined, usually by working from below.
STRADDLE STAKES – In determining the point of intersection of two lines, stakes are usually lined in on both sides
of the point of intersection. Since they straddle the point, surveyors call them “straddle stakes.”
STRAIGHT BASE LINE – A system for placement of the line that divides the inland waters from the marginal sea in
which straight lines connect salient points on outermost limits and fringe islands. See BASELINE.
STREET – Any public thoroughfare (street, avenue, boulevard, or park) or space more than 20 ft wide which has been
dedicated or deeded to the public for public use.
STREET LINE – A lot line dividing a lot or other area from a street; or more specifically, the side or end boundary of
a street, defined by the instrument creating that street as having a stated width.
STRIKE – In geology and mining, the direction of a line formed by the intersection of a stratum with a horizontal
plane.
STRONG BEARING – A survey slang term for a bearing which departs markedly from cardinal. A bearing of 2 or
more degrees from cardinal may be considered a “strong” bearing. “Heavy bearing” is used synonymously.
ST. STEPHENS MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in southern Alabama and south eastern
Mississippi; it was adopted in 1805.
SUBDIVISION – (verb) 1) Subdivision of a township into sections. 2) Subdivision of a section into half-sections,
quarter-sections, sixteenth-sections or sixty-fourth-sections, or into lots, according to the Manual of Surveying
Instructions. 3) The process of surveying such subdivisions. 4) In the private practice of land survey, subdivision is
the division of an area into lots, streets, rights-of-way, easements and accessories, usually according to State law and
local regulations – (noun) A particular aliquot part, lot, or parcel of land described according to the official plat of its
cadastral survey. See SUBDIVISION, SMALLEST LEGAL, URBAN SUBDIVISION and MINOR
SUBDIVISION.
SUBDIVISION-OF-SECTION SURVEY – A survey which subdivides a previously surveyed section into the
required aliquot parts or lots, using methods which are legally prescribed. See REGULAR SECTION
SUBDIVISION.
SUBDIVISION, SMALLEST LEGAL – For general purposes under the public-land laws, a quarter-quarter section or
one lot. Under certain of these laws and under special conditions, applicants, claimants, etc., can select subdivisions
smaller than a quarter-quarter section or lot. See MINOR SUBDIVISIONS and ALIQUOT PARTS.
SUBJECT TO SURVEY – Open to public land survey. See LANDS SUBJECT TO SURVEY.
SUBMERGED LANDS ACT – Also called Public Law 31. The act passed during the 1st session of the 83rd Congress
and signed into law may 22, 1953. Confirms and establishes the titles of the states to lands beneath navigable water
within their boundaries and to the natural resources within such lands and water. The act also establishes jurisdiction
and control of the United States over the natural resources of the seabed on the continental shelf seaward of state
boundaries. See CONTINENTAL SHELF, OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, and OUTER CONTINENTAL
SHELF LANDS ACT.
SUPPLEMENTAL MASTER TITLE PLAT – An extension of the Master Title Plat, it depicts a congested section,
or sections, within a township, drawn to a scale larger than the master title plat in order to adequately show land
status in the area. See MASTER TITLE PLAT and USE PLAT.
SUPPLEMENTAL PATENT – A patent issued to modify one previously issued, such as a patent issued without a
mineral reservation clause, covering coal, to supersede in whole or in part a patent which had been issued with coal
reserved to the United States. In the above described case, the patent would be referred to as a “supplemental non-
coal patent.”
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAT – A plat prepared entirely from office records designed to show a revised subdivision of
one or more sections without change in the section boundaries and without other modification of the record.
Supplemental plats are required where the plat fails to provide units suitable for administration or disposal, or where
a modification of its showing is necessary. They are also required to show the segregation of alienated lands from
public lands, where the former are included in irregular surveys of patented mineral or other private claims made
subsequent to the plat of the subsisting survey, or where the segregation of the claims was overlooked at the time of
its approval. In the past, Supplemental Plats were called “diagrams” or “MAPS.” See PLAT, MASTER TITLE
PLAT, USE PLAT and STATUS DIAGRAM.
SUPRA – Above. When used in text it refers to matter in a previous part of the publication. See INFRA and OP. CIT.
SUPRA.
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES – The highest court in the land. The court of last resort in the
federal and state judiciaries. Its jurisdiction is essentially appellate, but it has irrevocable original jurisdiction in
cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers and consuls or in cases in which a state is a party. The court is
composed of a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. See UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS and
UNITED STATES COURTS OF APPEALS.
SURFACE RIGHTS – All rights in the land excepting the oil, gas and mineral rights to underground deposits.
SURVEY – 1) The plat and the field-note record of the observations, measurements, and monuments descriptive of the
work performed. Occasionally used as implying that the official plat is “The Survey.” Commonly, any survey but,
specifically, an original survey. 2) The process of recording observations, making measurements, and marking the
boundaries of tracts of lands. See RESURVEY and SURVEY*.
SURVEYING INSTRUCTIONS – Various regions of the United States have been surveyed under amended or
differing instructions from the passage of the first Land Ordinance to the present. The Ordinance of May 20, 1785,
gave explicit cadastral survey instructions which were to be carried out under the personal supervision of the
Geographer of the United States, Thomas Hutchins. His successor, Rufus Putnam, was given the title “Surveyor
General of the Northwest Territory” under the terms of the Act of May 18,. 1796. He wrote letters of instruction to
deputy surveyors as did his successors, Jared Mansfield and Josiah Meigs. In 1815, Edward Tiffin, who succeeded
Meigs as Surveyor General of Territories east of the Mississippi, issued the first signed and dated general
instructions for the guidance of deputy surveyors, though they were partially based on an unsigned, undated
manuscript prepared earlier by Mansfield. Other printed circulars followed.
In 1851, a Manual of Instructions was issued to the Surveyor General of Oregon. After that came the Manual of
1855, the Manual of 1871 (a copy of the 1855 manual), the Manual of 1881, the Manual of 1890, the Manual of
1894 and the Manual of 1902. In 1919, a part of the Manual of 1930 was published, then the Manual of 1930 and the
Manual of 1947. The Manual of Surveying Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States,
1973, is the current manual of surveying instructions.
SURVEYING, LAND – The determination of boundaries and areas of tracts of land. Land boundaries are usually
defined by ownership, commencing with the earliest owners through successive ownerships and partitions. Land
surveying includes the re-establishment of original boundaries and the establishment of such new boundaries as may
be required in the partition of the land. See CADASTRAL SURVEY.
SURVEYOR GENERAL – Prior to 1925, an officer in charge of the survey of the public lands. The Act of May 18,
nbsp; 1796, abolished the office of the Geographer of the United States and provided for the appointment of a Surveyor
General. President George Washington appointed Rufus Putnam Surveyor General of the Northwest Territory under
the terms of this act. See ACT OF MAY 18, 1796, GEOGRAPHER OF THE UNITED STATES, UNITED
STATES SUPERVISOR OF SURVEYS and CHIEF, DIVISION OF CADASTRAL SURVEYS.
SURVEY, ORIGINAL – See ORIGINAL SURVEY.
SUSPENDED APPLICATION OR ENTRY – An application or entry upon which adverse action by the Bureau of
Land Management has been deferred.
SUSPENDED SURVEY – Also called suspended plat. When question or doubt arises concerning an accepted survey,
all actions related to the area covered may be held in abeyance until the matter is resolved. The survey may be
corrected, reinstated or cancelled, either in whole or in part, but no action based on the plat may be initiated or
completed while the survey is suspended. See CANCELLATION.
SWAMP – 1) Low lying land saturated with moisture and overgrown with vegetation but not covered with water. 2)
Land at elevations below the upland such as would be wet and unfit for agriculture without construction of artificial
drainage. See MARSH, SALT MARSH and SWAMP AND OVERFLOWED LANDS.
SWAMP AND OVERFLOWED LANDS – Any quarter-quarter section or lot the greater part of which was so
swampy or subject to overflow during the planting, growing or harvesting season, in the majority of years at or near
the date of the grant of such lands, as to be unfit for cultivation in any staple crop of the region in which it is located
without the provisions of some artificial means of reclamation. In common usage “swamp” and “overflowed” lands
are regarded as synonymous. See SWAMP-LAND GRANT, LOUISIANA SWAMP LAND ACT OF 1849,
SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1850, SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1860, STAPLE CROP, TIDELANDS, MARSH and
SALT MARSH.
SWAMP-LAND GRANT – A State grant consisting of public lands deemed swampy and unfit for cultivation. The
lands were granted to enable the various states receiving them to aid in their reclamation. See SWAMP AND
OVERFLOWED LANDS, LOUISIANA SWAMP LAND ACT OF 1849, SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1850,
SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1860 and IN PRAESENTI.
SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1850 – The Act of September 28, 1850 (9 Stat. 519), extended the Louisiana Swamp Land
Act to the other public-land States then in the Union. See LOUISIANA SWAMP LAND ACT and SWAMP
LANDS ACT OF 1860.
SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1860 – This March 12, 1860 Act (12 Stat. 3) extended the Swamp Lands Act to the States
of Minnesota and Oregon. The various swamp-land grants were carried over into R.S. sec. 2479 (43 U.S.C.A. sec.
982). For a notable exception to the swamp-land laws, see ARKANSAS COMPROMISE ACT. See LOUISIANA
SWAMP LAND ACT OF 1849 and SWAMP LANDS ACT OF 1850
B Terms
BAL (Land Status Records) – Balance.
BDY; BDRS (Land Status Records) – Boundary, Boundaries.
BEN (Land Status Records) – Bentonite.
BH MER (Land Status Records) – Black Hills Meridian.
BIA (Land Status Records) – Bureau of Indian Affairs.
BIFC – Boise Interagency Fire Center.
BLK (Land Status Records) – Block.
BLM (Land Status Records) – Bureau of Land Management.
BLM-M (Land Status Records) – Bureau of Land Management Manual.
BM (Land Status Records) – Bench Mark.
BM – Erroneously for Boise Meridian.
BO – Bearing Object.
BOISE MER (Land Status Records) – Boise Meridian.
BR – Bearing rock. An obsolete corner marking for a bearing object used on mineral surveys.
BR (Land Status Records) – Bureau of Reclamation.
BSFW (Land Status Records) – Bureau of Sports, Fisheries and Wildlife. Now, 1976, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services,1976.
BT – Bearing Tree.
BACK AZIMUTH – See GEODETIC AZIMUTH.
BACK BEARING – The bearing at the opposite end of a line from the observer as measured from the true meridian at
the opposite end of the line. The back bearing on all lines (other than North-South lines) are different from the
bearing at the observer’s station. They differ by the amount of convergency of the meridians between the two
points.
BACKSHORE (T.R. No. 4) – That zone of the shore or beach lying between the foreshore and the coastline and acted
upon by waves only during severe storms, especially when combined with exceptionally high water. See BEACH,
SHORE, FORESHORE, COASTLINE.
BACKSIGHT – A sight on a previously established survey point. See BACKSIGHT*.
BANK – The continuous margin along a river or stream where all upland vegetation ceases. See RIGHT BANK, LEFT
BANK, BEDS OF NON-NAVIGABLE LAKES AND STREAMS.
BANKHEAD-JONES LANDS – Under Title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, of July 22, 1937, the
Department of Agriculture was authorized to purchase submarginal farm lands in the Great Plains region for
purposes of reclamation, conservation, etc. Approximately 2 million acres were acquired and are termed
“Bankhead-Jones Lands.” These lands are now under the administration of the Bureau of Land Management, are in
the class of Federal lands called “acquired lands” and are not subject to entry or disposal under the general public
land laws. See ACQUIRED LANDS.
BARGAIN AND SALE – In conveyancing, the transferring of property from one to another, upon valuable
consideration, by way of sale. A “bargain and sale” deed usually means one which carries no warranty. See DEED,
WARRANTY and PATENT.
BARK SCRIBE – To bark scribe a tree monument or bearing tree is to lightly cut the appropriate marks into the bark
of the tree without blazing. In the case of certain smooth and thin barked trees, marks thus made will last as long as
the tree remains sound. See BLAZE.
BASE LANDS – In a lieu selection or exchange, the lands to which the applicant relinquishes his rights as a basis for
his selection. See LIEU SELECTION.
BASELINE – A line fixed by sovereigns along their coasts which is fundamental toward determining the seaward
extent of the boundaries. See RULE OF TIDEMARK, STRAIGHT BASELINE.
BASE LINE – A line which is extended east and west on a parallel of latitude from an initial point, and from which are
initiated other lines for the Cadastral Survey of the public lands within the area covered by the principal meridian
that runs through the same initial point. See BASE LINE*, BASIS PARALLEL.
BASE PLAT – A drawing containing only those details essential to the identification of the legal subdivisions shown
on it. Under the manuals of surveying instruction preceding that of 1930, the base plat also contained all cultural and
topographic features thought to be desirable. The 1930 and 1947 Manuals of Surveying Instructions called for the
use of transparent color overlays to show these features when required. Overprints are not needed where such
features may be readily shown on the base drawing without risk of obscuring any essential cadastral data. Color
overlays have been used with base plats of areas surveyed by photogrammetric methods.
BASIN – The entire area drained by a main stream and its tributaries.
BASIS PARALLEL – The Base Line, as termed in early surveys.
BATTURE – A marine term, used to denote a bottom of sand, stone or rock mixed together and rising towards the
surface of the water; but it is sometimes used to signify the island formed when it has risen above the surface of
ordinary high water. Batture differs from alluvium in that batture is the addition of soil to the bed of a stream or
lake, while alluvium is an addition to the shores. Hence by reason of such fact the ownership thereof is determinedlargely along a different line. Both “batture” and alluvium are often referred to as “accretions.” Technically
however, the term “accretion” refers to the legal result occurring from the effect of the deposit of alluvium and
batture.
BAYOU*.
BEACH (T.R. No. 4) – The zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the low water line to the place
where there is marked change in material or physiographic form or to the line of permanent vegetation (usually the
effective limit of storm waves). The seaward limit of the beach – unless otherwise specified – is the mean low water
line. A beach includes foreshore and backshore. (Refer to Figure 1). See SHORE, FORESHORE, BACKSHORE,
TIDELANDS.
BEARING – The horizontal angle which a line makes with the meridian of reference adjacent to the quadrant in which
the line lies. Bearings are classified according to the meridian of reference, as: astronomic, geodetic, magnetic, grid,
assumed, etc. When no reference is specified on a plat or in a document, astronomic meridian is presumed. A
bearing is identified by naming the end of the meridian from which it is reckoned, either north or south, and the direction of that reckoning, either east or west. Thus, a line in the northeast quadrant making an angle of 50 from
the reference meridian will have a bearing of N. 50 E.
BEARING OBJECT – A corner accessory which may be a natural object that can be readily identified by its distance
and direction from the corner being recorded. These objects may not be of a character that can be marked, but in the
case of a rock cliff or boulder a cross mark and the letters “BO” will be chiseled into the bearing object. The record
should be clear enough to enable another surveyor to determine just where the marks will be found. The rock
bearing object is the most permanent of all accessories; it is used wherever practicable, and within a distance of 5
chains. a connection to any permanent artificial object or improvement may be included in this general class of
corner accessories. The field notes should be explicit in describing such objects, and indicate the exact point to
which a connection is made, as “pipe of Smith’s windmill.” No marks are made on private property. See BEARING
TREE, MOUND AND PITS, LAND MARK, ACCESSORIES, CORNER.
BEARING TREE – A marked tree used as a corner accessory; its distance and direction from the corner being
recorded. Bearing trees are identified by prescribed marks cut into their trunks; the species and sizes of the trees are
also recorded.
BED – In mining, a stratum in the earth’s crust which has been formed in an approximately horizontal layer. If of rock,
it is termed “bedrock.” Also See BEDS OF NONNAVIGABLE LAKES AND STREAMS.
BEDS OF NONNAVIGABLE LAKES AND STREAMS – The areas within the mean high-water lines of a lake,
stream or river which are kept practically bare of vegetation from year to year by the wash of the waters; although
parts of them are left dry for months at a time. Title to the beds of nonnavigable bodies of water remains in the
United States until the shore lands have passed into private ownership. See PROTRACTION, RIPARIAN
BOUNDARIES and PARTITION LINES.
BLACK HILLS MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in the western part of South Dakota, it was
established in 1878.
BLANK LINE – 1) Where bearings and distances are shown, for information purposes only, across areas not then
subject to survey. 2) In Manual of Surveying Instructions 1834, “thence north on a blank line; …” appears used as a
random line in specimen field notes.
BLAZE – A mark made upon a tree trunk usually at about breast height. The bark and a small amount of the live wood
are removed with an axe or other cutting tool, leaving a flat, smoothed surface which forever brands the tree. On
rough-barked tree monuments or bearing trees the appropriate marks are scribed into a smooth, narrow, vertical
blaze the lower end of which is about 6 inches above the root crown. The blaze should be just long enough to allow
the markings to be made. See OVERGROWTH.
BLAZED LINE – A sufficient number of trees differing from line trees in that they stand within 50 links of and on
either side of the line, rather than being intersected by it, are blazed on two sides quartering toward the line. This is
done to make the survey line more conspicuous and readily traced in either direction. The blazes are made opposite
each other coinciding in direction with the line where the trees stand very near it. They are made closer to each
other, toward the line, the farther they are from the line. R.S. sec. 2395; 43 U.S.C. 751 is the law authorizing the
marking of trees along surveyed lines, and its requirements are as positive in this matter as are those requiring the
erection of monuments. See LINE TREE.
BLOCK – A subdivision of a town site.
BOARD OF LAND APPEALS – Under the direction of a Board Chairman, the board exercises jurisdiction over cases
involving appeals from decisions rendered by departmental officials relating to the use and disposition of public
lands and their resources and the use and disposition of mineral resources in certain acquired lands and in the
submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf. Persons adversely affected by a decision of a BLM officer or examiner have the right to appeal to the board.
The Board is in the Office of Hearings and Appeals, the office of the
Secretary of the Department of the Interior, as provided at 35 F.R. 10010, June 18, 1970 – 43 C.F.R. 1842.2 (Now
43 C.F.R. part 4). Decisions of the Board on such appeals shall be final for the Department.
BOG – A shallow, low-lying, virtually undrained body of water, where partially decayed vegetation accumulates on the
bottom and on the surface to form a mat. Mosses, sedges, grasslike plants and small shrubs eventually take root in
the surface mat forming a “boggy” or spongy form of ground. In an advanced stage the water area becomes
completely filled and may become what is known as a “peat bog.” See MARSH and SWAMP.
BOISE MERIDIAN – The principal meridian governing surveys in Idaho; it was established in 1867.
BONA FIDE – In or with good faith; honestly, openly and sincerely. Without deceit or fraud. Actual and genuine.
BONA FIDE RIGHTS – Rights, such as in ownership of land, which are real, actual, genuine and worthy of
acceptance. Rights acquired in good faith under the law.
BOUNDARIES, NATIONAL – Boundaries between countries are established by treaties made by the sovereign
powers concerned.
BOUNDARIES, STATE – A boundary between two States of the United States may be changed by agreement of the
State legislatures, but this agreement must be approved by Congress. The United States Congress cannot change a
State boundary without the consent of the State, nor can two States by mutual agreement change their common
boundary without the consent of Congress. The consent of Congress to change a boundary need not be granted by a
special act but may be inferred from subsequent legislation. Several times Congress has given its consent in advance
for adjoining States to fix an indefinite water boundary between them. A boundary between a State and a territory is
fixed by joint action of Congress and the State. Boundaries between territories are fixed by congressional action
alone. Disputes between States regarding boundaries must be settled by the United States Supreme Court, whose
decisions are final. It is a well-established principle, recognized by the courts and by Congress, that a State or
national boundary line as marked on the ground and accepted by the parties interested is the legal boundary for all
purposes whether or not it is the place designated by statute. Nearly all boundaries of States west of the Mississippi,
as well as those of many central and southern States, were surveyed under the direction of the General Land Office.
Notes of all such surveys, and plats for most of them, are now on file in the Bureau of Land Management, Dept. of
Interior, or in the Cartographic Records Div., National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C.
BOUNDARY, LAND – A line of demarcation between adjoining parcels of land. The parcels of land may be of the
same or of different ownership, but distinguished at some time in the history of their descent by separate legal
descriptions. A land boundary may be marked on the ground by material monuments placed primarily for the
purpose; by fences, roads, and other service structures along the line – or defined by astronomically described points
and lines.
BOUNDARY LINE – A line along which two areas meet. A boundary line between privately owned parcels of land is
usually termed a property line. If a boundary is a line of the United States public land surveys, it is given a particular
designation, such as section line or township line.
BOUNDARY MONUMENT – A material object placed on or near a boundary line to preserve and identify the
location of the boundary line on the ground.
BOUNTY LANDS – Portions of the public domain given or donated as a bounty for services rendered, chiefly for
military service. See 43 U.S.C.A., sec. 791.
BROKEN BOUNDARY – 1) A boundary of the rectangular system which is a series of line segments representing a
boundary which is not a straight line. 2) A boundary consisting of straight line segments which is not part of the
rectangular system.
BROKEN BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT – A general term which indicates a distribution of a closing error. Included
are: (1) A mathematical adjustment applied to record meander courses which have since become nonriparian; is
identical to the compass rule. (2) A mathematical adjustment applied to the record courses of a grant or reservation
boundary; it is a rotation and scale change that will retain the original angles and change the lengths of each line
segment proportionately according to the record. See GRANT BOUNDARY, IRREGULAR BOUNDARY, NON
RIPARIAN BROKEN BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT, ADJUSTMENT*.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, THE – An agency of the Department of the Interior, it was created July 16,
1946, pursuant to Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1946, which consolidated the functions and activities of
the General Land Office and the Grazing Service.
A Terms in Land Surveying
A (Land Status Records) – Acre(s). ABC – Airborne Control. See AIRBORNE
CONTROL SURVEY.
ACQ (Land Status Records) – Acquired.
ACSM – American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.
ACT OF CONG (Land Status Records) – Act of Congress.
ADHE (Land Status Records) – Adjusted homestead entry.
ADM S (Land Status Records) – Administrative site.
ADP – Automatic Data Processing.
A&E – Architect and Engineer.
AEC (Land Status Records) - Atomic Energy Commission.
AF (Land Status Records) – Air Force.
AGRI (Land Status Records) – Agriculture, Agricultural.
AGRI EXP STA (Land Status Records) – Agriculture Experimental Station.
AHA (Land Status Records) – Alaska House Authority.
AHE (Land Status Records) – Additional homestead entry.
AK – Alaska. See Alaska Land Surveyors
AL – Alabama. See Alabama Land Surveyors
ALA – Alabama. See Alabama Land Surveyors
ALL MIN (Land Status Records ) – All Minerals.
ALLOT – (Land Status Records) – Allotment.
ALS PS (Land Status Records) - Alaska Public Sale.
ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey - a survey completed according to the standards developed by ALTA & NSPS for mainly commercial projects. AKA alta survey, alta land survey, alta land title survey
AM – Amended Monument.
AMC – Auxiliary Meander Corner.
A&M COL (Land Status Records) – Agriculture and Mechanical
College.
AMDT (Land Status Records) – Amendment, Amended, Amends.
ANCSA – Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
ANS (Land Status Records) – Air Navigation Site.
AP – Angle point; also AP-1, AP-2 etc.
APLN (Land Status Records) – Application.
APLN EXT (Land Status Records) – Application for extension.
APP (Land Status Records) – Appendix.
APPROP (Land Status Records) – Appropriation, Appropriate,
Appropriated.
APPVD (Land Status Records) – Approved.
AR – Arkansas. See Arkansas Land Surveyors
AREA ADM O (Land Status Records) – Area Administrator Order(s).
ARIZ – Arizona. See Arizona Land Surveyors
ARK – Arkansas. See Arkansas Land Surveyors
ARPT (Land Status Records) - Airport.
ARRCS (Land Status Records) – Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corp. Sale.
ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers.
ASGN (Land Status Records) – Assignment.
ASPH (Land Status Records) – Asphalt.
ASRHE (Land Status Records) – Additional stockraising homestead entry.
AUTH (Land Status Records) – Authorization.
AVE LSE (Land Status Records) – Aviation lease.
AZ – Arizona. See Arizona Land SurveyorsABANDONED MILITARY RESERVATION – A military reservation which has been
transferred to the Department of the Interior for Administration.
ABROGATE – To abolish by authoritative action. To do away with or
annul.
ABSENTEE OWNER – By law, one cannot be both a resident and an absentee
of a given area, state or country.
Therefore, an owner who lives in an area other than the one in which
land he owns is situated is an absentee owner.
ABSTRACT – (noun) A summary or abridgment. A shortened form of a work
or record retaining the general sense and
unity of the original. (verb) To summarize. To shorten or condense by
the omission of words without sacrifice of
sense or continuity. See ABSTRACT OF TITLE.
ABSTRACT OF TITLE – A condensed history of the title to land,
consisting of a synopsis or summary of the material
or operative position of all the conveyances, which in any manner
affects said land or any estate or interest therein,
together with a statement of all liens, charges, or liabilities to
which the same may be subject.
ABUT – To reach; to touch. In old law, the ends were said to abut, the
sides to adjoin. The term “abutting” implies a
closer proximity than the term “adjacent.”
ABUTTING PROPERTY – The buttings or boundings of lands, showing to what
other lands they adjoin.
ACCEPTED SURVEY – A survey accepted by the official having Cadastral
Survey approval authority. See
CADASTRAL SURVEY APPROVAL AUTHORITY and OFFICIAL CADASTRAL SURVEY.
ACCESS – The right to enter and leave over the lands of another. See
EGRESS; REGRESS.
ACCESSORIES, CORNER – See CORNER ACCESSORIES.
ACCRETION – Derived from the Latin “accrescere” which means to grow or
increase, it is the gradual and
imperceptible addition of soil or other material by the natural
processes of water-borne sedimentation or by the
action of currents against shores and banks. Accretion is the washing
up of sand, silt or soil so as to form firm
ground, called alluvion. In common practice the terms alluvion and
accretion have been used almost
interchangeably. Usually, however, alluvion means the deposit itself
while accretion usually denotes the act. See
ALLUVION, RELICTION, EROSION, AVULSION, RIPARIAN RIGHTS.
ACCRETION, ARTIFICIAL – Additions to a riparian owner’s soil by the
imperceptible process of accretion which
was induced by man’s activities.
ACCURACY (USC&GS. S.P. 242) – Degree of conformity with a
standard, or accepted value. Accuracy relates to the
quality of a result , and is distinguished from precision which relates
to the quality of the operation by which the
result is obtained. See PRECISION.
ACEQUIA – A ditch, channel or canal through which water, diverted from
its natural course, is conducted for use in
irrigation or other purposes. Public ditches.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – In regard to a legal instrument or document, formal
declaration before an authorized
official such as a Notary Public, by the person who executed the
instrument, that it is his free act and deed. Also
refers to the Notary’s statement itself.
ACQUIESCENCE – Some act of concurrence by the adjoining owners bearing
on the practical location of their
common boundary where the definite or more accurate position of the
line or lines has not or cannot be defined by
survey. Acquiescence may be the tacit consent of one owner by not
interposing a formal objection to what might be
an encroachment by another, all subject to judicial review as to the
legal effect.
ACQUIRED LANDS – Federal lands obtained by purchase, condemnation,
exchange, or gift under laws other than
public land laws. Legally defined as: “… land obtained by the United
States through purchase or transfer from a
State or private individual and normally dedicated to a specific use.”
McKenna v. Wallis, 200 F. Supp. 468 (1961).
See also Bobby Lee Moore, et al, 72 I.D. 505 (1965). See FEDERAL LAND,
PUBLIC LANDS, PUBLIC
DOMAIN.
ACRE – A unit of area measurement. An acre equals 10 square chains or
43,560 square feet. 640 acres equal 1 square
mile. See CHAIN.
ACT OF APRIL 25, 1812 – Provided “that there shall be established in
the Department of the Treasury an office to be
denominated as the General Land Office; the chief officer of which
shall be called the Commissioner of the General
Land Office …” Edward Tiffin was the first Commissioner of the General
Land Office. See GENERAL LAND
OFFICE.
ACT OF APRIL 29, 1898 – See ARKANSAS SWAMP LANDS COMPROMISE ACT.
ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1842 – An act to “provide for the armed occupation and
settlement of the unsettled parts” of
Florida. By meeting certain conditions and fulfilling certain
requirements, a settler was to receive 160 acres as an
armed occupation donation.
ACT OF DECEMBER 22, 1928 – See COLOR-OF-TITLE ACT.
ACT OF JULY 22, 1854 – Donation of 160 acres to each male white
resident of New Mexico who resided there on
January 1, 1853, and to male white citizens or intended citizens of the
United States who emigrated there by January1, 1858. According to the
Public Land Commission of 1904, only 4,640 acres had been approved for
patent under this act.
ACT OF MARCH 1, 1800 – This act established a precedent for the
important principle that corners regularly set by a
cadastral surveyor in the field are held to be the true corners,
although later surveys may show they were placed
incorrectly.
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1877 – See DESERT LAND ENTRY. Also See CAREY ACTS,
which provided for grants of
desert lands to states.
ACT OF MAY 10, 1800 – This Act contained the authorization for the
creation of the first “Land Districts” and the
provision for the placement of errors of measurement and convergence in
the northern and western tiers of sections.
In the old Northwest Territory these errors were placed in the last
half mile, but in Louisiana the errors were placed
equally in each half mile of the last mile. In Florida they were
sometimes placed on the south and east side of a
township. The general instructions in the Manual of Surveying
Instructions, 1855, directed all survey districts to
handle the matter in the same way, however, irregular procedures
continued to be used in some areas for a short
time. See LAND DISTRICT.
ACT OF MAY 18, 1796 – Provided for administration, survey and sale of
public lands in the central part of the
Northwest Territory, north of the Ohio River. Also established the
position of executive Surveyor General, who
supervised work of professional surveyors under contract to the
Government. The rectangular system of surveys
inaugurated under the Ordinance of May 20, 1785 was continued, and the
present numerical arrangement of the 36
sections was adopted.
ACT OF MAY 20, 1785 – See ORDINANCE OF MAY 20, 1785.
ACT OF MAY 27, 1908 (35 Stat. 347) – Provided “for the purchase of
metal monuments to be used for public land
survey corners wherever practicable.” See REGULATION IRON POST.
ACT OF OCTOBER 22, 1919 – See PITTMAN UNDERGROUND WATER ACT.
ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD ENTRY – An application for title which is made by
an individual for public lands
additional to those already acquired under the homestead laws. The
total area covered by an original homestead and
additional homestead entries could not exceed the maximum area allowed
for the class of homestead entry involved.
AD HOC – For this; for this special purpose. An attorney ad hoc, or a
committee ad hoc, is one appointed or selected
for the particular case at hand without consideration of wider
application.
AD INFINITUM – Without end or limit. To an infinite extent;
indefinitely.
ADIT – In mining, an entrance or approach; a horizontal excavation used
as an entrance to a mine, or a vent by which
ore or water are removed. See SHAFT, DRIFT, TUNNEL.
ADJACENT – Lying near or close to; sometimes contiguous; neighboring.
The term “adjacent” implies that the two
objects or parcels of land are not widely separated, though they may
not actually touch, while “adjoining” implies
that they are so joined or united to each other that no third object or
parcel of land intervenes. See ABUT.
ADJOINER – An owner of land which touches the land of another, his name
being given in the deed or instrument by
which the land is conveyed.
ADJOINING – Touching or contiguous, as distinguished from lying near to
or adjacent. To be in contact with; to abut
upon.
ADJOINING FARM HOMESTEAD ENTRY – A homestead entry on public lands
which are adjacent to land owned
by the entryman (which he had obtained other than by homestead entry)
and which, together with the land owned,
does not exceed 160 acres.
ADJUDICATION – The pronouncing of a judgment or decree in a cause; also
the judgment given. The legal
processing of applications, entries, claims, etc., to assure full
compliance with the public-land laws and regulations;
also the interpretation of statutes and regulations and their
application to a particular set of facts.
ADJUSTMENT – State or condition of an instrument which has its parts in
proper relationship. See ADJUSTMENT*.
ADMINISTRATIVE SITE – A reservation of public lands for use as a site
for public buildings, ranger stations, or
other administrative facilities.
ADVANCE FIELD COMPLETION – A process in USGS map production which shows
boundary information which
is available but not found on final topographic maps.
ADVERSE POSSESSION – The possession of land, under such circumstances
as indicate that such possession has
been commenced and continued under an assertion of rights on the part
of the possessor against the original owners.
To be “adverse,” possession must be “actual, continued, visible,
notorious, distinct and hostile.” Title obtained by
adverse possession is a fee-simple title. Possession of land does not
operate adversely against the United States or a
State. Title to Government land cannot be acquired by adverse
possession – however, under the Act of Dec. 22,
th
1928, Public No. 645, 70 Cong., a patent may be obtained to public
lands held for 20 years under “color of title.”
See COLOR-OF-TITLE ACT; PRESCRIPTION.
ADVERSE PROCEEDINGS – Strictly speaking, a contest; often, that portion
of the contest proceedings which precede the hearing.
AEROTRIANGULATION*.
AFFIDAVIT – A written or printed declaration or statement of facts made
voluntarily, and confirmed by oath, without
notice to the adverse party and without opportunity to cross-examine.
Affidavits are usually attached to field notes in
support of corner restorations. See DEPOSITION.
AGREEMENT LINE – A concurrence between adjoining land owners on the
location of their common boundaries.
The effect on the location is subject to judicial review.
AGRICULTURAL LANDS – Land suitable for agricultural purposes. Land may
be agricultural in character even
though it is covered with trees, grass, weeds or brush.
AIRBORNE CONTROL SURVEY (ABC) – A control survey using theodolites,
electronic distance measuring
equipment and a helicopter equipped with a hoversight and flashing
light. The helicopter is hovered over a ground
station and the position of the flashing light is determined by
computations. See ELECTRONIC CONTROL
SURVEY, HOVERSIGHT, AIRBORNE CONTROL, SURVEY SYSTEM*.
AIR NAVIGATION SITE – A reservation of public lands for aviation
purposes pursuant to the act of May 24, 1928
(45 Stat. 728, 49 U.S.C. sec 214).
ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT – The Act of Congress of December
18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, 43
U.S.C. 1601, et. seq., which provides for the settlement of aboriginal
land claims of the Natives and Native groups
in Alaska.
ALASKA PURCHASE – Purchase of Alaska from Russia under a convention
signed March 30, 1867, and proclaimed
June 20, 1867, provided the United States with more than 365 million
acres of additional public lands.
ALIENATION – A legal term applied to the process of transfer of title,
or a legal conveyance of property to another. In
common BLM usage, alienated lands are lands that have been patented.
ALINEMENT (alignment) – 1) Formation or position in line, or, more
properly, in a common vertical plane. 2) In
railway or highway surveying: The ground plan, showing the alinement or
direction, and components of the center
line, as distinguished from a profile, which shows the vertical
element.
ALIQUOT – Contained an exact number of times in another; a part of a
measurement that divides the measurement
without a remainder. See ALIQUOT PARTS.
ALIQUOT PARTS – Legal subdivisions, except fractional lots, or further
subdivision of any smaller legal subdivision,
except fractional lots by division into halves or fourths ad infinitum.
See LEGAL SUBDIVISION; SUBDIVISION,
SMALLEST LEGAL and MINOR SUBDIVISION.
ALIUNDE – From another source. Evidence aliunde is evidence from
outside or from another source. A written
instrument may be explained by evidence drawn from sources outside the
instrument itself, such as the testimony of
a witness to conversations, admissions or preliminary negotiations.
ALLOTMENT – See INDIAN ALLOTMENT.
ALLOWED APPLICATION – An application to acquire title to public lands
which has been accepted and approved
as having been filed in full compliance with the requirements of the
regulations; an entry.
ALLOWED ENTRY – See ENTRY ALLOWED.
ALLUVION (alluvium) – The soil that is deposited along a river or the
sea by gradual and imperceptible action of the
water. See ACCRETION.
AMENDED ENTRY – A process of adjudication under R.S. sec. 2372, as
amended February 24, 1909 (35 Stat. 645;
43 U.S.C. sec. 697). This process is used in cases of erroneous
location as means of protecting bona fide rights of
claimants. See BONA FIDE, ERRONEOUS LOCATION.
AMERICAN MERIDIAN – See WASHINGTON MERIDIAN.
ANALYTICAL PHOTOTRIANGULATION – A mathematical determination of ground
positions of paneled points
observed in a strip or block of aerial photographs. The positions are
determined by computations based on
coordinate measurements of the image positions in each photograph. This
method, which considers such factors as
camera calibration, film distortion, atmospheric refraction and earth
curvature during computations, produces data of
a higher order of accuracy than that obtained by the mechanical
methods. See MECHANICAL
PHOTOTRIANGULATION, ANALYTICAL AEROTRIANGULATION*.
ANGLE POINT – A point in a survey where the alinement or boundary
deflects from a straight line.
APEX – In mining, the outcrop of a vein or the highest portion of a
fold in a vein.
APPEAL – A process of civil law origin that entirely removes a
controversy to an appellate court for the purpose of
obtaining review and possible retrial. In general terms, an appeal
takes a case to a higher court. See WRIT OF
ERROR, CERTIORARI, BOARD OF LAND APPEALS.
APPELLANT – The party who takes an appeal from one court or
jurisdiction to another. Used broadly or nontechnically, the term
includes one who sues out a writ of error. See WRIT OF ERROR.
APPELLEE – The party in a cause against whom an appeal is taken; that
is, the party who has an interest adverse to
setting aside or reversing the judgment. Sometimes also called the
“respondent.”
APPLICANT – An individual, corporation, State or local government,
etc., applying for rights in, or title to, public
lands or resources. See APPLICANT, SURVEY.
APPLICANT, SURVEY – An individual, corporation, State or local
government, etc., requesting the execution of a
cadastral survey.
APPLICATION – A formal request for rights in, or eventual title to,
public lands or resources.
APPROPRIATED PUBLIC LANDS – Original public domain lands which are
covered by an entry, patent,
certification, or other evidence of land disposal; for certain
purposes, public lands which are within a reservation,
which contain improvements constructed with the aid of Federal funds,
or which are covered by certain classes of
leases are also considered appropriated. See VACANT AND UNAPPROPRIATED
PUBLIC DOMAIN LANDS.
APPROVED CLEAR LIST – A selection which has been approved by the
Secretary of the Interior or the Director of
the Bureau of Land Management. See CLEAR LIST.
APPROVED MINERAL SURVEY – The approval of a mineral survey at the State
level is final. No Washington
Office acceptance is required as in the case of public land
subdivisional surveys.
APPROVED SURVEY – The terms “approved survey” and “official survey” are
often incorrectly used as being
synonymous with “accepted survey.” Strictly speaking an “approved
survey” is a survey which has the field notes
approved and the plat accepted by the BLM official who has been
delegated the authority for such action. The
proper term is now ACCEPTED SURVEY. (Prior to 1910 the field notes and
plats were APPROVED by the
Surveyor’s General, which action was equivalent to the present
acceptance of the plat. After 1910 they were
approved by the Surveyor General, or Supervisor of Surveys, and after
examination accepted by the Commissioner
of the General Land Office.) The field notes and plat become OFFICIAL
records of the BLM when filed in the
appropriate land office. The field notes and the plats of Mineral
Surveys are both APPROVED at the State Office
level. See ACCEPTED SURVEY, OFFICIAL SURVEY and MINERAL SURVEY.
APPURTENANCE – Anything so annexed to the land or used with it that it
will pass with the conveyance of the land.
An incidental right (as a right of way) attached to a principal
property right and passing in possession with it.
ARBITRATION – The submission for determination of disputed matter to a
private unofficial person selected by
agreement or in a manner provided by law. Voluntary arbitration is;
therefore, by mutual and free consent of the
parties.
ARBITRATOR – A private, disinterested person chosen by the parties to a
disputed question for the purpose of
hearing their contention and giving judgment between them. The parties
to the dispute submit themselves to the
arbitrator’s decision (award).
ARE – A metric unit of area equal to 100 square meters.
AREA, GROSS – In BLM usage, the total area of all lands, irrespective
of ownership, within the boundaries of a
township, reservation or other tract of land. See AREA, NET.
AREA, NET – In BLM usage, the area of public lands within the
boundaries of a township, reservation or other tract of
land less exclusions. See AREA, GROSS.
AREAS (BLM) – From the mid-1950’s until 1961 the Bureau of Land
Management was composed of the Headquarters
Office in Washington, D.C.; a field organization of three “Areas” in
the United States and one in Alaska; 11 State
Offices and an Eastern States Office which was in Washington, D.C.
Area 1 had supervision over Washington, Oregon and California. The Area
administrative office was in Portland,
Oregon.
Area 2 had supervision over Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The Area
administrative office was in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Area 3 had supervision over Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and
the Missouri River Basin surveys. The
Area administrative office was in Denver, Colorado.
Area 4 had supervision over Alaska and the administrative office was in
Anchorage, Alaska. See SPECIAL OFFICES
(BLM). Also see REGIONS (BLM).
ARKANSAS DRAINAGE ENTRY – An entry on public lands to which, under
Federal statutory authority, Arkansas
State drainage charges attach.
ARKANSAS SWAMP LANDS COMPROMISE ACT – Under the terms of this act of
April 29, 1898, Arkansas
relinquished all rights, title and interest to the remaining
unappropriated swamp and overflowed lands within its
boundaries (43 U.S.C. sec. 987).
ARROW – An obsolete term for chaining pin.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION – The name of the instrument embodying the
compact made between the Thirteen Original States prior to the adoption
of the present constitution.
ASSESSMENT WORK – The annual labor or improvements which must be
performed on a valid mining claim
location in order for the claimant(s) to maintain a possessory right to
the claim as against the United States or third
parties. The statutory requirement (43 U.S.C. 28) is that $100 worth of
labor or improvements must be made
annually on valid claims for which a patent has not been issued.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS – Written instructions to a cadastral surveyor
authorizing him to execute a specific
part, or all, of a particular survey. Even if the survey has been
authorized, a surveyor may not execute it or any part
of it without instructions containing his specific assignment. See
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
ASTRONOMIC – Of or pertaining to astronomy. See ASTRONOMIC*, ASTRONOMIC
LATITUDE*,
ASTRONOMIC LONGITUDE*, ASTRONOMIC NORTH*, GEOGRAPHIC POSITION*.
ASTRONOMIC AZIMUTH – At the point of observation, the angle measured
from the vertical plane through the
celestial pole to the vertical plane through the observed object.
Astronomic azimuth is the terrestrial azimuth which
results directly from observations on a celestial body: It is measured
in the plane of the horizon and is usuallyreckoned from south (0 ),
through west (90 ), north (180 ), and east (270 ) back to south (360 or
0 ). It is affected by the local deflection of the vertical (station
error) which, in the United States, produces differences between
astronomic and geodetic azimuths of as much as 26” in the mountain
regions of the Western States and 10” in the
less rugged Eastern States. Astronomic azimuths are sometimes reckoned
clockwise or counterclockwise through 180 .
ATTEST – To affirm to be true or genuine. Specifically, to authenticate
by signing as a witness; to establish or verify
the usage of; to bear witness. See TESTIMONY.
AUTHORITY, PUBLIC LANDS – Article IV Sec. 3, Clause 2 of the
Constitution of the United States established the
fundamental authority for public land and resource management upon the
adoption of the Constitution in 1787. It
states: “Congress shall have the power to dispose of and make all
needful rules and regulations respecting territory
and property belonging to the United States…” It has been held that
this power of Congress is without limitation.
See CADASTRAL SURVEY AUTHORITY.
AUTO SURVEYOR – Trade name for an Inertial Positioning System.
AUXILIARY GUIDE MERIDIAN – Where guide meridians have been placed at
intervals exceeding the distance of
24 miles (under practice permissible prior to issuance of the 1881
Manual of Surveying Instructions which specified
24 mile tracts), and new governing lines are required, a new guide
meridian is established, and a local name is
assigned, such as “Twelfth Auxiliary Guide Meridian West,” or “Grass
Valley Guide Meridian.” Auxiliary guide
meridians are surveyed, in the same manner as guide meridians.
AUXILIARY MEANDER CORNER – An auxiliary meander corner is established
at a suitable point on the meander
line of a lake lying entirely within a quarter section or on the
meander line of an island falling entirely within a
section and which is found to be too small to subdivide. A line is run
connecting the monument to a regular corner
on the section boundary. See SPECIAL MEANDER CORNER.
AVULSION – A river’s sudden change in flow alignment out from its
previous left and right banks to a new channel,
leaving an identifiable upland area between the abandoned channel and
the new channel. The new flow alignment
will generally be a shortcut in channel length because of hydraulic
considerations. The U.S. Supreme Court in Iowa
v. Nebraska 143 US 359 distinguished avulsion from rapid erosion, but
some State courts have established different
definitions. See Goins v. Merryman 183 Okla. 155. Frequently the
elements of sudden and perceptible changes are
included in the definitions. See ACCRETION, AVULSION*.
AVULSION, ARTIFICIAL – Man-made or man-induced changes in flow
alignment of a river such as to leave an
identifiable area of upland between the old and new channels.
AVULSIVE CUTOFF – A river’s action when avulsion takes place; also,
describes the area of land enclosed by the
old and the new channels.
AZIMUTH – The horizontal direction reckoned clockwise from the meridian
plane. See ASTRONOMIC AZIMUTH,
GEODETIC AZIMUTH, GRID AZIMUTH.
