ME Land Surveyor flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Original monument rule

In retracement, original monuments set by the first surveyor control over distances and area; they are the best evidence of the original boundary location.

Adverse possession period

Maine requires 20 years of actual, open, notorious, exclusive, and continuous possession under a claim of right to acquire title by adverse possession.

Boundary by acquiescence

A doctrine where adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period (typically 20 years) and are bound by it, even without adverse intent, if the true boundary is uncertain.

Riparian boundary

For tidal waters, the boundary is the mean low-water mark; for great ponds, the natural low-water mark. Accretion belongs to the upland owner; avulsion does not change the boundary.

Prescriptive easement

An easement acquired by 20 years of open, notorious, adverse, and continuous use of another's land, without permission.

Monument types

Natural monuments (trees, rocks), artificial monuments (iron pins, concrete bounds), and documentary monuments (deeds, plats). Original monuments carry the most weight.

Maine monument requirement

32 M.R.S. § 13921 requires a surveyor to set permanent monuments at all corners of a surveyed parcel unless the client waives the requirement in writing.

Chain of title

A chronological list of all recorded conveyances affecting a parcel, tracing ownership back to the original source and including probate, foreclosure, and tax liens.

Evidence hierarchy

Original monuments > undisturbed evidence of original survey > subsequent monuments > courses and distances > area > hearsay reputation.

Records research sources

Registry of Deeds (deeds, plans), Maine Revenue Services parcel data, local tax maps, town clerks, Maine State Archives, and the Board of Registration for Land Surveyors.

Maine surveyor license

A license issued by the Maine Board of Registration for Land Surveyors under 32 M.R.S. § 13901 et seq., required to practice land surveying or offer to practice.

Continuing education requirement

Maine requires 15 PDH per 2-year renewal cycle, including at least 2 hours in ethics and 1 hour in Maine surveying law.

Seal and signature

A licensed surveyor must seal and sign all final plats, reports, and surveys. The seal includes name, license number, and 'Licensed Land Surveyor, State of Maine.'

Right of entry

32 M.R.S. § 13925 grants surveyors the right to enter private land for survey purposes after reasonable notice, with liability for damages.

Disciplinary grounds

Fraud, negligence, incompetence, violation of Board rules, conviction of a crime involving dishonesty, and practicing while impaired are grounds for Board discipline.

Latitude and departure

Latitude = distance × cos(bearing); departure = distance × sin(bearing). In a closed traverse, Σ latitudes = 0 and Σ departures = 0.

Compass rule

A traverse adjustment that distributes latitude and departure errors proportionally to the length of each course: correction = (course length / perimeter) × total error.

Transit rule

A traverse adjustment that distributes errors proportionally to the latitude and departure of each course, used when angles are more precise than distances.

Least squares adjustment

A statistical adjustment that minimizes the sum of squared residuals, providing error ellipses and standard deviations based on observation equations and weights.

Area by coordinates

Shoelace formula: 2A = Σ(X_i × Y_{i+1} − X_{i+1} × Y_i). The absolute value of the sum divided by 2 gives the area.

Horizontal curve formulas

T = R tan(Δ/2), L = RΔ (Δ in radians), C = 2R sin(Δ/2), M = R(1 − cos(Δ/2)).

Total station accuracy

Accuracy depends on calibration, atmospheric correction, prism constant, and angle measurement; typical precision is 2″ to 5″ for angles and 2 mm + 2 ppm for distances.

RTK GNSS

Real-time kinematic GNSS provides centimeter accuracy using a base station or network (Maine CORS); accuracy depends on satellite geometry, multipath, and ionospheric conditions.

Differential leveling closure

Loop closure error should be within allowable limits, e.g., 0.05 ft × √miles for ordinary leveling; check against known benchmarks.

Traverse closure checks

Angular closure ≤ 5″√n for n angles; linear closure relative precision 1:5,000 for rural and 1:10,000 for urban surveys.

Maine State Plane zones

Maine uses two State Plane zones based on NAD83: East (3001) and West (3002). UTM Zone 19 is also used.

Maine subdivision law

30-A M.R.S. § 4401 et seq. requires local approval for divisions of land into 3 or more lots within a 5-year period; the Planning Board reviews and approves plats.

Plat content requirements

30-A M.R.S. § 4403 specifies lot lines, dimensions, areas, roads, easements, monuments, and certificates of surveyor and owner on subdivision plats.

Tax map status

Tax maps are for assessment purposes only and are not legal boundaries; they show parcel boundaries, lot numbers, acreage, and road names.

Maine Coordinate System

33 M.R.S. § 801 et seq. defines the Maine State Plane Coordinate System; coordinates may describe boundaries if datum, zone, and monument ties are stated.

Ethical standards

Land surveyors must act with honesty, integrity, and objectivity; avoid conflicts of interest; disclose financial interests; and maintain client confidentiality.

Records retention

Maine Board rules require keeping field notes, calculations, and correspondence for at least 7 years; provide copies to clients upon request.

Statute of limitations

In Maine, the statute of limitations for negligence is 6 years (14 M.R.S. § 752); the statute of repose for improvements to real property is 10 years (14 M.R.S. § 752-A).