CLSA  eNews
October 2016
In this Issue
  • Jeff Lucas Workshops in November
  • Save the Date: 2017 CLSA Annual Conference
  • October Webinars
  • 2016 CLSA Publications Half-Price
  • SB 1085 Signed by Governor Brown
  • CLSA Professional Development Program
  • Event Calendar
Jeff Lucas Presenting Workshop Series in California

CLSA is pleased to announce workshops in Northern and Southern California featuring nationally-recognized land surveying law expert Jeffrey N. Lucas. Mr Lucas has been in the surveying business since 1976 and is a licensed land surveyor and attorney. He has been a seminar leader on surveying topics that include ALTA/ACSM standards, boundary law, law of easements, water boundaries, surveying evidence and procedures, expert witness testimony, business law, contract law, torts and liability.

Mr. Lucas will be presenting two topics at each full-day workshop:

Survey Evidence and Procedure
There is a line of thinking within and without the surveying community that goes something like this: The surveyor's only role is to deal with the facts as contained in the client's deed; all other issues with regard to boundaries can only be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The obvious problem with this line of thinking is that, if this is truly the case, society does not need land surveyors. Boundary determinations boil down to two questions: A question of law and a question of fact. "The question of what is a boundary line is a matter of law, but the question of where a boundary line, or a corner, is actually located is a question of fact." Walleigh v. Emery, (Pa.Super.Court. 1960). This seminar will explore both of the questions fully, as well as the topics of evidence and procedures for the determination of a well-reasoned opinion on boundaries. State specific law will be incorporated into this seminar in the process of answering these and many other questions.

How to Make a Boundary Determination that Will Win in Court
What are the important issues to know and understand in order to make a boundary determination that will win in court, should you find yourself in court defending your map of survey and your opinion on the location of the property boundaries involved? What is the evidence standard that will be applied, the standard of care for professional surveyors in court, and what is the criterion for boundary determinations? This course studies the relevant evidence standards, different types of evidence, the standard of care, and explores the process of rendering a well-reasoned opinion on the only question that is within the purview of the retracing surveyor-the location question. The importance of deeds in and the role they have in boundary determination, the interpretation of deeds, finding intent, and how and when the boundary establishment doctrines come into play. The "Ultimate Issue Rule" will be discussed and its importance relative boundary determinations and liability. If you eventually find yourself in court over a boundary dispute, losing in court is not an option. The boundary surveyor who has rendered a well-reasoned opinion on the boundaries based on the law and the facts, is in a much better position to win in court than the surveyor who simply applied math and measurements as taken from a deed.

To register for the workshops, please click below to choose your preferred location and date:
  • Southern California: Tuesday, November 15, 8:00 - 5:00 - Click Here
  • Northern California: Thursday, November 17, 8:00 - 5:00 - Click Here
Please contact the CLSA Central Office if you have any questions.
Two CLSA Webinars on-tap for October

CLSA Webinar: Important Changes in the PLS Application Process
Oct 12, 2016 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

This discussion will focus on the primary aspects on becoming licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor in California, qualifying education or experience criteria necessary to meet the minimum requirements including upcoming changes to the Licensure application process.

Webinar Presenter: Ric Moore, Executive Officer, BPELSG

CLSA Webinar: Low Distortion Projections: Having Your Geodetic Cake and Eating It Too
Oct 26, 2016 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon

Can LDPs be the best of both worlds? Can you maintain and work with geo-referenced positions and achieve minimal scale factors? This webinar will cover LDP best practices along with the steps to designing an appropriate LDP for your project or area. It will also introduce common "Do's & Dont's" when it comes to creating and using LDPs. The setup of LDPs in popular survey software will also be explained; Autocad, Star*Net, TBC, ESRI, Global Mapper, etc.

Webinar Presenter: William T. Hurdle, Senior Land Surveyor, JDS Civil
2016 CLSA Publications On Sale

While supplies last, all 2016 CLSA Publications are now available for half the normal price, including the Subdivision Map Act with Index, PLS Act, PE Act, Board Rules and PLS Roster, and Miscellaneous Statutes. Please click the link below to view CLSA Publications and place an order.

CLSA Publications
SB 1085 Signed into Law

BPELSG-sponsored SB 1085 amends various provisions of the Land Surveyors Act. Specifically, the bill requires an applicant for licensure renewal to complete a board-administered online assessment to reinforce the knowledge of Board regulations and applicable statutes which are the frequent cause of public complaints.

Although CLSA initially adopted a "not favor" position because of ambiguities, CLSA ultimately took a support position as the bill was amended to eliminate our concerns.
CLSA Professional Development Program

The CLSA Professional Development Program (PDP) is a voluntary program intended to encourage and support the continued professional growth and competency of land surveyors and recognize their continuing education activities. This program also provides members a means to meet out-of-state licensure requirements. Click here for rules and information regarding the PDP.

Reminder: existing PDP program participants must log their hours. Click here to login as a member. Then, click "Manage PDH."
Upcoming Events: 

October 6-7

October 10 at 5:30 PM

October 11 at 6:00 PM

October 12 at 11:00 AM

October 12 at 5:30 PM

October 19 at 6:30 PM

October 26 at 11:00 AM

November 5 at 8:30 AM

November 10 at 7:30 AM

Additional events can be viewed on CLSA's online event calendar.