NH Land Surveyor flashcards

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

Original Monument Control

A found original monument generally controls over record distances and bearings. Retracement reestablishes the original surveyor's monument positions, not the recorded measurements, when the two conflict.

Priority of Evidence

Boundary evidence is ranked: natural monuments first, then artificial monuments, then courses and distances, then area. Area is the weakest evidence and is used mainly as a check.

Proportionate Measurement

A method to reestablish a lost corner between two existing original corners of the same line, using the ratio of record distances. It is not used to move an existing monument.

Adjoiner as Monument

A call in a deed to an adjoining owner or parcel is treated as a monument. It generally controls over stated bearings and distances when they conflict.

Latitude and Departure

Latitude equals distance times cosine of the bearing angle; departure equals distance times sine of the bearing angle. Signs are assigned by quadrant.

Linear Error of Closure

For a closed traverse, the square root of the sum of squared latitude errors plus squared departure errors. Relative precision is perimeter divided by this closure error.

Area by Coordinates

Twice the area equals the sum around the loop of X sub i times Y sub i plus one minus X sub i plus one times Y sub i. Take the absolute value and divide by two.

Double Meridian Distance

The DMD of the first course equals its departure. Each later DMD equals the previous DMD plus the previous departure plus the current departure. Double area is the sum of DMD times latitude.

Inverse Computation

Given two coordinate pairs, distance equals the square root of the sum of squared latitude and departure differences. Bearing is the arctangent of departure over latitude, adjusted to quadrant.

Point-on-Line Formula

To locate a point a distance d along a line of total length D from point one: X equals X one plus d over D times the X difference; Y is computed the same way.

Combined Grid Factor

Ground distance equals grid distance times the elevation factor times the inverse of the grid scale factor. State plane coordinates differ from ground distances by this combined factor.

EDM Accuracy Statement

EDM precision is stated as plus or minus a millimeters plus b parts per million times distance. An instrument rated 3 mm plus 3 ppm gives about 6 mm error at one kilometer.

RTK Accuracy

GNSS real-time kinematic accuracy is typically stated as plus or minus 8 mm plus 1 ppm horizontally and plus or minus 15 mm plus 1 ppm vertically under good satellite geometry.

Dilution of Precision

PDOP, HDOP, and VDOP describe satellite geometry quality. Lower values indicate better geometry; high PDOP degrades RTK position accuracy and should delay precise work.

Leveling Elevation Difference

Difference in elevation equals backsight minus foresight. The sum of backsights minus the sum of foresights equals the elevation difference between the first and last points.

Angular Misclosure

For a closed polygon, the sum of interior angles should equal n minus 2 times 180 degrees. The difference from that value is the angular misclosure, checked against tolerance before adjustment.

Deed Essentials

A valid deed must identify the grantor, grantee, and land, show intent to convey, and be signed by the grantor. Recording gives notice to subsequent purchasers and affects priority.

Adverse Possession Elements

Possession must be actual, open and notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile for the statutory period. In New Hampshire the period is generally 20 years, with tax payment where required.

Prescriptive Easement

Use that is open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and adverse for the prescriptive period, without the owner's permission, can create an easement by prescription.

Easement by Necessity

Arises when a parcel is landlocked or lacks access and the necessity existed at the time of severance. It ends when the necessity ends, such as when other access is acquired.

Easement Appurtenant

An easement that benefits a dominant estate and burdens a servient estate. It runs with the land and passes automatically with conveyance of the dominant parcel.

Tacking Possession

Successive adverse possessors may combine their periods of possession when privity exists between them, such as through a deed, inheritance, or other transfer of interest.

Metes and Bounds Description

A description that states a point of beginning, then each course with bearing and distance, closing back to the beginning. It should state the basis of bearings and reference monuments.

Basis of Bearings

The reference direction from which bearings in a survey or description are measured, such as true north, magnetic north, or a record line. It must be stated for the description to be reproducible.

Chain of Title

The sequence of recorded conveyances from the original grant to the present owner. Record research begins with the current deed and works backward through this chain.

Plat Approval

In New Hampshire, subdivision plats are reviewed and approved by the local planning board before recording. Approval may include conditions that must appear on the recorded plan.

Class VI Highway

A New Hampshire town road not maintained by the town or state. Abutters and the public may retain rights, and research of town layout and discontinuance records is required.

Responsible Charge

A licensed surveyor must be in responsible charge of survey work that is sealed and signed. Signing plans not prepared under the surveyor's responsible charge is unprofessional conduct.

Standard of Care

The degree of care and skill a reasonably prudent surveyor would exercise under similar circumstances. Errors are judged against accepted practice, not against perfection.

Unauthorized Practice

Preparing and signing boundary surveys or legal descriptions of land for conveyance without a New Hampshire land surveyor license. It is grounds for discipline and legal action.

Seal and Signature

A licensed surveyor must seal and sign final survey plats and reports. Seal use is personal to the licensee and may not be delegated to unlicensed personnel.

Surveyor Conflict of Interest

Arises when compensation or relationships could influence boundary opinions. It must be disclosed and avoided; contingent fees tied to a particular boundary outcome are improper.