VAS Spring Virtual Seminar |
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Due to ongoing COVID restrictions the 2021 VAS Spring Seminar will be held virtually on Friday, April 23 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Thanks to the Southern Chapter and Education Chair, Chip Richardson, an outstanding program will be presented. The morning session will be presented by Gary Kent on the NEW 2021 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards and the afternoon session will be presented by Joe Priestner and Grant Stickler of Duncan-Parnell. on Monitoring and Scanning Workflow. A total of total of 8 CEU/PDH credits will be awarded.
Registration is open!!
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2021 VAS Election, Annual Meeting |
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Ballots for VAS officers and directors have been emailed to all voting members (Regular, Honorary, or Retired) of the association. Included on the ballot are elections for Secretary/Treasurer and Regional Directors in regions 1 (Bull Run, Mount Vernon chapters), 2 (Central, Monticello, Rappahannock, Shenandoah chapters), and region 3 (Peninsula, Tidewater).
Voting is to be completed by April 10, 2021.
A virtual VAS annual membership meeting will be held on Thursday, April 22 at 6:00 PM. Installation of officers and directors will be part of the annual meeting.
A reminder that all 2021 membership dues payments must be received by the VAS office by April 1.
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VAS Convention Moves to September |
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With COVID restrictions still in place and the vaccine program struggling to reach significant numbers of Virginians, the VAS Board of Directors voted at its January meeting to move the annual convention from April to September 14-18. It is the view of the Board that deferring the convention to September greatly increases the chance that a safe, in-person convention can be held.
“Our strong preference is to host an in-person convention,” said Alison Hanson, LS, VAS First Vice President and Chair of the 2021 convention. “The experience of meeting with colleagues, networking, visiting exhibitors, and gaining continuing education firsthand is of great value to the membership and we are hopeful that the environment and regulations will permit such an event by September.”
The convention will also return to a previous VAS tradition of several years ago by including the John Foster School to prepare candidates for licensure as a land surveyor in Virginia in the examination preparation class. The John Foster School will be held from Tuesday, September 14 through Friday, September 17.
The 2021 VAS Annual Convention will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Williamsburg, VA.
As a result of this change, the Board approved a revision to the 2021 schedule of VAS education seminars and Board meetings.
- Thursday, April 22 VAS Board of Directors Virtual Meeting and VAS Annual General Membership Meeting
- Friday, April 23 VAS Spring Seminar Host: Southern Chapter
- June 25-26 Host: Shenandoah Chapter
- September 14-18 Williamsburg (Convention)
The June events will feature a seminar or webinar on Friday. The Board of Directors will meet virtually on the preceding Thursday (June 24) or in-person on Saturday (June 26).
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From the President
by Kevin Wood, LS
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February has been a busy month for work and the VAS. The rain or snow, depending on your area, finally stopped and we are now seeing some sun. It is nice to walk around without sinking on each step. As I reported last month, the January Board of Directors meeting was a very productive meeting, but after that meeting, the work continues.
- The Southern Chapter is hosting the Spring Board meeting/seminar on April 22-23.
- June 24-25 is the Summer Board meeting/seminar presented by the Shenandoah Chapter.
- Alison Hanson is busy planning the 2021 Convention for the week of September 13-18 in Williamsburg. This may be one of the first in-person events since the beginning of the pandemic and Alison has some large plans for this event.
The VAS membership should constantly check in with the website, the VAS Office, or with any of us on the Board to find out more about these events. Email notices will also be disseminated. Put these events on your calendar and make plans to participate. The start of the year is also when the Virginia General Assembly Legislature meets to debate and vote on new legislation in Virginia. I sat in on the Legislative Committee meetings each Friday when the legislature is in session. Bruce Frederick, Gary Faulhaber and Will Nash are doing a great job keeping their finger on the pulse of what legislation may or may not affect all of us as surveyors. Our executive Director John Palatiello provides support, coordinating the meetings with our lobbyist, Preston Bryant of McGuire Woods Consulting.
On a Chapter level, I attended the Monticello Chapter meeting on February 16. It was well attended and a very enjoyable meeting to attend. Thank you, to the Monticello Chapter, for inviting me. During the meeting, a student who is a surveying major at ETSU participated and provided some insight on the program. It was a great opportunity to see what is happening at the university during this difficult year. Again, I was able to provide some insight to the chapter members on activities at the state level. Without the opportunity to meet in person, I will accept each of these virtual chapter events to get out and talk to the VAS membership.
My assigned task from the January board meeting is to meet with the Maryland Society of Surveyors (MSS) to discuss a “sister society” relationship. Some benefits could be more opportunities for education or events. The VAS is cautious to not detract from its own program when surveyors might go to another state’s events instead of the VAS. I have asked to meet with someone from MSS, but we have not yet set up such a meeting. I do have my marching orders for this meeting and will try to accomplish all that I can.
If you have something you would like me to look into, please give me a call so we can discuss what's on your mind. Until then, enjoy the sun and warmer weather. Stay safe and come see us on the VAS website (www.vasurveyors.org).
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Kevin Wood, VAS President (72nd), 2020-2021
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Editor's Column
by Chris Jensen, LS
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I was recently asked to record a video for a high school career fair answering various questions about my profession. The majority of the questions were of the standard variety you would expect - “What led you to your current job, what type of education is necessary”, etc. But the one question that stood out the most to me was “What advice would you give a student interested in this career?"
To me, there are so many different answers to that question. I believe our profession is a great one with many different opportunities for career happiness and financial success. I’ve made many professional connections and personal friendships through surveying. I’ve also learned a lot and find myself always being challenged and continuing to grow almost every day. How do I convey these things as “advice” and encouragement for someone to join our profession? You may not be asked specifically for a career fair, but how would you answer the question of “What advice would you give a student interested in this career?”
Thank you to Khea Adams of the VAS staff for the hard work on this month’s edition of ODS. I hope you find it informative and entertaining.
Take care and be safe,
Chris
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Chris Jensen, LS, is VAS Second Vice President and Editor of ODS
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2021 General Assembly Report
by L. Preston Bryant, Jr., McGuire Woods Consulting LLC
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The 2021 General Assembly convened on January 8 and adjourned on March 1. The legislature carried out its work over a truncated 26-day Regular Session followed by a 19-day Special Session. Many bills, including the revised state budget, that were unfinished in the Regular Session, were carried over to and completed in the Special Session. Over the combined 45 days, the General Assembly considered just over 2,500 bills and resolutions.
VAS’s Legislative Committee reviewed all legislation and narrowed its list to about 60 bills affecting the land surveying profession that were closely tracked, with a dozen or so calling for VAS public testimony.
These are select bills that bear highlighting.
Governor’s Approval of Previously Denied Professional Licenses: Failed. VAS strongly opposed legislation that would have granted the Governor authority to issue a professional license to an applicant that a regulatory board, such as APELSCIDLA, had previously denied. VAS testified before a House of Delegates subcommittee that regulatory boards are charged with vetting an applicant’s professional qualifications based on established, objective criteria. Allowing a governor to grant professional licenses previously denied not only opens such decisions to “politics,” but may run afoul of professions’ state or national accreditations. VAS is pleased that this legislation failed. (HB 2259, Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth)
Flood Risk Disclosures: Passed. VAS monitored legislation requiring residential property owners selling property to disclose “flood risk” and associated “repetitive risk loss.” The legislation requires the Real Estate Board to develop a “flood risk information form” and make it available on its website. The legislation goes into effect January 1, 2022. VAS is mindful that this may provide opportunities for surveyors. VAS will work with the APELCIDLA Board and staff, providing input on what the form should require, and encourage them to work with the Real Estate Board in developing the form. (HB 2320, Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach; SB 1389, Sen. Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomack)
PPP Tax Deduction: Passed. VAS was active with a broader business coalition in lobbying for state adoption of a minimum $100,000 tax exclusion on income received by employers in 2020 from the federal Paycheck Protection Plan. The House of Delegates proposed a $25,000 maximum deduction, the Senate the higher $100,000 deduction. VAS is pleased our efforts were successful in achieving the higher amount. (HB 1800 – State Budget)
Community College Tuition Assistance for High-Demand Fields: Passed. VAS strongly supported legislation creating a community college financial aid fund to assist low- and middle-income Virginia students enrolled in programs that will lead to work in a “high-demand field.” The legislature appropriated $36 million for this fund. “High-demand field” is generally defined as “a discipline or field in which there is a shortage of skilled workers to fill current and anticipated additional job vacancies.” The list of disciplines or fields will be established or updated by December 1 each year by the Virginia Board of Workforce Development in consultation with the Virginia Community College System. VAS will work in the months ahead to gather data about the surveying profession and market to present to the Board and VCCS in hopes that community college students enrolled in surveying-related programs might qualify for this tuition assistance. (HB 2204, Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax; SB 1405, Sen. Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax)
Wetlands Permits Extension: Passed. VAS supported legislation to retroactively extend certain wetlands permits until January 1, 2022, that are to expire between March 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021. Many permitted projects suffered slowdowns due the pandemic. This legislation keeps permits in place while projects resume. (SB 1143, Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake)
SWaM Goal for State Contracts: Failed. VAS closely monitored legislation to establish the Small Business Procurement Enhancement Program with a statewide goal of 42% of certified small business utilization in all procurement discretionary spending by state agencies, including higher education institutions, as well as 50% subcontracting to certified small businesses new capital outlay construction where the prime contractor is not a small business. The bill also called for certain small business set-asides for state agencies and universities. While this bill failed in the 2021 Special Session, it is expected to be reintroduced in the next General Assembly session. (HB 5002, Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton)
Environmental Justice: Failed. VAS monitored legislation that would have put in place additional public notice and public comment requirements for certain major infrastructure projects. VAS agrees that improvements can be made to better consider in the permitting process on proposed infrastructure projects’ potential impacts on disadvantaged communities; however, such process improvements should not bear such weight as to unduly deny projects. Environmental justice is a growing focus for Virginia’s regulatory agencies and board. VAS will continue to monitor proposed environmental justice policies, regulations, and legislation. (HB 2221, Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake; SB 1373, Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond)
State Budget: The 2021 General Assembly revised the 2020-2022 biennial budget. Key items of interest include:
· Transportation: $323 million for identified, high-priority projects, including $93 million for I-64 improvements (Hampton to Richmond).
· Higher Education: $222 million for capital projects at Virginia Tech, William & Mary, George Mason, and Virginia community colleges, among others.
· Wastewater Treatment Plants: $100 million deposited to the Water Quality Improvement Fund to assist local governments in improving some 30 wastewater treatment plants by 2025/2026, mostly in the James River watershed. The State likely will appropriate some $250 million more over the next few years to help fund this work.
· Broadband: $50 million in FY 21 and FY 22 – $100 M total – for broadband expansion in unserved and underserved areas.
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L. Preston Bryant, Jr. is a senior vice president at McGuireWoods Consulting and the registered lobbyist for VAS. He previously represented the City of Lynchburg and Amherst County in the Virginia House of Delegates for 10 years, was Secretary of Natural Resources in the cabinet of Governor Timothy M. Kaine, and was a partner at Hurt & Proffitt, Inc., a Lynchburg-based civil engineering, surveying, and planning firm.
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Plan your activities to promote the profession of surveying during this national observance. |
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The "Art of Surveying", A Case Study
by Robert B. (Ben) Stagg, LS, Tidewater Chapter President
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As my time as chapter president of the Tidewater Chapter of VAS is winding down, I thought I would sit down and share some thoughts about how this journey all started and some reflections on the profession I love.
I started out working on a survey crew when I was still in high school, on the outer banks of North Carolina, as a 16 year old, being rodman on a three man crew. I worked five days a week on the survey crew and then worked running a miniature golf course at night, up to 7 days a week during the summer of 1971. I returned to the same job the following summer and added short order cook on the weekends to my job description. Ah, the joys of youth and energy. I still managed to occasionally have some fun, sometimes hanging out with the Norfolk Linen Service guys at night and hitting the beach whenever possible. I continued to work in surveying during summers at the beach for a number of years while attending college in the fall/winter/spring.
I had the honor (didn’t seem like it at the time) to survey the first actual subdivision north of the town of Duck, in the area that has now the location of lots of mega-bedroom cottages. It was one street in towards the ocean, a run parallel to the sea, and back out to the lone road leading heading to Corolla. We set a line of pins down, around and back. There was no need to cut vegetation, it was all sand and dunes, so we just set up, drove a pin and stake, and keep on trucking. During those summers, our crew worked from Duck to Hatteras and over on Roanoke Island and in Manteo. The work on the main part of the OBX was usually not too difficult and not too complicated. However, we did manage to have some jobs that make me realize how the lost colony might have gotten lost (and eaten by mosquitos or bitten by snakes). Jobs on Roanoke Island provided me with a real time experience on what the settlers back then had to encounter with thick briar underbrush, lots of bugs, and snakes in the often low lying wetlands scattered throughout the area.
I am sure many of you remember the Hatteras Lighthouse move. The pictures of the path taken to move the structure from its perilous location at the exposed point inland to a more secure spot depicted a swath cut through some pretty heavily vegetated areas. Trust me, I had already explored this area years before as we were sent down to run a boundary line through some of the thickest, hottest, wet terrain I have experienced in all my years of surveying. Unfortunately, the company I worked for (now defunct, and for good reasons) did not spend a lot of money on equipment or vehicles. To communicate we had a two way radio (CB type) but our antennae was broken on the very old Jeep Waggoner we rode in, so to call the office we had to stop and put a metal range pole (remember those?) on the antennae mount to get any signal. That said, we were running a line through some pretty nasty stuff cutting line when I looked up at the chainman in front of me by about 15 feet. He was wearing a white t-shirt, but it was no longer white!! It was almost completely black. His entire back was covered in mosquitos, having what I assume at the time was their first taste of human blood, since we were a long ways from any residential homes. Soon thereafter, we crossed one of numerous “mosquito control ditches”. Now for those of you who don’t know what these are, here is the scoop. The thinking back then was, where mosquitos are a problem, the way to help keep them away from the tourist (and perhaps the long term residents, albeit, I think all the old-timers had long ago developed some kind of immunity to the creatures) that they cut these ditches through wetland areas to provide a nice home (and breeding ground) for the flying bloodsuckers to hang out in. And then surveyors arrived. As if we were not having a lot of fun up to that point, soon thereafter on our way back down the line to the vehicle, we encounter not one or two but a whole community of snakes. Not the garden variety but the poisonous ones. As a surveyor you probably know the story that the first guy down the line never gets bit by a snake, it’s the second or third guy who by the time he arrives gets the full displeasure from these reptiles from being disturbed repeatedly already. Well, we were lucky, no one was bitten, but our chainman was deathly afraid of snakes and of course was then pretty much useless the rest of the day. Since the closest hospital in those days was in Elizabeth City (not even a clinic on the beach back then), I contemplated on the way home that day how things may have played out had one or more of us been bitten (possibly multiple times).
As a result of all this fun, I made of up mind right then to demand a pay raise the following morning when we got to the office. I don’t remember what I was making per hour, but I did make my feelings known. I know, wait for it, you are expecting that I lost my job over that, but I didn’t. I did get a 25 cents per hour raise, which even then seemed kind of like an insult, even to a teenager. I continued to work, but was pretty happy when the summer season ended and I had to return home to go back to school.
So you are probably asking, I thought this article was about the art of surveying. Well to be honest, those two summers working on the OBX turned out to probably be the worst experiences I have had in this profession considering all the terrain I have traversed, brush and briars I have encountered, dogs that you did not know if they were going to bite you or lick you, sweating my butt off, freezing my butt off, trying to find that elusive boundary line error, arguing with local officials about what new completely unrelated to surveying note I needed to add a plat to get government approval, and, well you get the picture. For all the mosquitos, briars, bumps, injuries, etc., being outdoors for some the best weather, views, clients, and the feeling you get when you find a boundary marker you know has not been seen in decades makes this profession one that I would not trade for anything else, well except maybe winning the lottery and going off to some tropical paradise.
There are not many professions that provide the opportunity to be outside, at times in some the most beautiful country you can imagine, seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, sans snakes, bees, and mosquitos, working with some really interesting people, providing a service of value by defining ownership (land is one true everlasting thing of value), gaining expertise in multiple disciplines of math, science, and law, and then getting paid (usually not enough, all things considered) for it to boot!! I have also had the honor to be a member and serve as an officer for the Virginia Association of Surveyors Tidewater Chapter. I will become a past President this April and have cherished the opportunity to work with a great set of chapter board members and members in general over the past number of years.
So, after working with licensed surveyors early in my career, and then a brief stint with VDOT, I got my license in 1993, starting my own company a few years later, and since 1983 have worked for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, where I now manage a surveying/mapping program that encompasses over 135,000 acres and over 5,000 platted private leases along with maintaining maps for another 300,000 + acres of subaqueous bottomlands, I can still say I enjoy and learn new things every day from this profession. So, after nearly 50 years I can truly say that for every adverse condition I have encountered, I can recall so many more experiences that were rewarding in so many ways. I lament that our profession seems to continue to shrink in numbers, as well as our median age keeps rising to the point many of us are now at or near retirement age. But as most who take the time to read this will hopefully agree, following in the footsteps, sometimes literally, of Washington, Jefferson, Thoreau, Clark, Lewis, Lincoln, Banneker, Ellicott and others is pretty darn good company to be in. Land surveying is a noble profession and as we all know, it often does not get the respect we all think it deserves.
So, my for final thoughts, please promote the idea of pursing a career in surveying and mentor all those you can. Let them know that entering this profession can result in a lifetime of great memories. And unlike many other “jobs” that may require technical training and knowledge, surveying provides a true lifetime of experiences that will provide a person with what I like to call the “art of surveying” that incorporates knowledge, experience, unequaled views of nature, along with public service, providing unquantifiable lifetime rewards.
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Are you aware of VA CODE 16VAC25-220-40 mandatory requirements for all employers?
This is the Final Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 That Causes COVID-19. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s (DOLI) Final Permanent Standard took effect January 27, 2021 and replaces its Emergency Temporary Standard.
Information can be found at the following links:
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Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Public Law 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Public Law 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
VAS salutes all the women in the surveying profession.
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VAS Becomes NSPS Sustaining Member |
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VAS has become one of the first state societies to enroll in a new program for Sustaining Membership for state associations or chapters in the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS).
You will see the VAS logo in the weekly NSPS e-newsletter, News and Views and other publicity for the organization.
All VAS regular members are concurrently members of NSPS as well. NSPS represents professional surveyors at the national and international levels. This includes an active and effective government affairs program before Congress and Federal agencies and membership in FIG, the International Federation of Surveyors, UN-recognized global organization for the profession of surveying and related disciplines. NSPS also has formal liaison relationships with other organizations, such as the American Land Title Association (ALTA), with which NSPS promulgates the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys.
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Need Continuing Education Credits? Check Out the VAS Convention Webinar Archive |
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In 2020, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, the Virginia Association of Surveyors (VAS) replaced in-person continuing education seminars with virtual webinars. The Annual Convention was converted from on-site events to remote, distance learning.
This has enabled VAS to create an archive of continuing education classes. This archive consists of recordings of webinars originally presented live. For those who were unable to attend the original, live presentation of any class, the archive of sessions is available for purchase.
These archived webinars meet the requirements for continuing education credit established by the APELSCIDLA licensing board.
Please avail yourself of these continuing education opportunities. Select and purchase the sessions that are of interest to you and meet your professional and business requirements. You will be provided a link to the purchased webinar, as well as "quiz questions" that the licensing board requires for archived continuing education.
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Safety Minute - Severe Weather Awareness |
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For the first time, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) will be conducting a Severe Weather Awareness week campaign to include Virginia’s annual Statewide Tornado Drill.
The tornado drill is just one of the activities scheduled for Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Each day during the week a different topic will be addressed, including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and lightning.
Virginia’s annual Statewide Tornado Drill will occur tomorrow, Tuesday, March 16 at 9:45 a.m. The drill will start with a test tornado warning sent in the form of a Required Monthly Test by weather radios and will be broadcast by Local radio stations, TV stations and cable outlets via the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
For more information on preparing and responding to severe weather while teleworking click here. Be sure to involve the entire family in your preparations.
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Advertise in ODS or the VAS Website
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More than 400 members of the surveying profession in Virginia read The Old Dominion Newsletter. Advertising in the magazine is a great way to reach that audience! Our online publication allows us to link your ad to your website.
Advertising Rate for ODS
Full Page
(7.5" wide x 10" high)
One Issue - $400
Annual - $3,000
Half Page
(7.5" wide x 4.74" high)
One Issue - $250
Annual - $1,500
Half Page
(3.5" wide x 10" high)
One Issue - $250
Annual - $1,500
Quarter Page
(3.5" wide x 4.75" high)
One Issue - $150
Annual - $800
Business Card
(3.5" wide x 2.0" high)
One Issue - $75
Annual -$400
Advertising Rates for VAS Website
Banner Ad
(1000px wide x 320 high)
One month - $500
Subpage Ad
(75 px High)
One month -$200
- Submission Deadlines: The first day of the month of the issue(s) selected
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Preferred Formats: Ads may be provided in black/white or color; please send a layout-ready copy (compatible electronic files include .eps or .pdf files with all fonts and graphics embedded). All ads must be digital. Please send ads via email to Khea Adams at khea@vasurveyors.org
- All advertisements are non-refundable
- If purchasing an Annual ad, you can change your ad monthly.
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- April 22, 2021 - Virtual Board Meeting and VAS Annual Membership Meeting
- April 23, 2021 - Seminar Hosted by the Southern Chapter
- June 25-26, 2021 - Seminar Hosted by the Shenandoah and Board of Directors Meeting
- September 14-18, 2021 - 73rd Annual Convention & General Membership Meeting, DoubleTree Hotel, Williamsburg, VA
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The Old Dominion Surveyor
The Old Dominion Surveyor is the official publication of the Virginia Association of Surveyors. It is published monthly and sent to members. All material must be submitted by the deadline noted for each issue.
Editor
Chris Jensen
Publisher
Khea Adams - Virginia Association of Surveyors
VAS 2020 - 2021 Officers and Directors
President..................................Kevin Wood
First Vice President..............Alison Hanson
Second Vice President...........Chris Jensen
Secretary/Treasurer....................Rob Mann
Past President.............. Gary M. Faulhaber
NSPS Director............................. Will Nash
Region I Director....... Yeoanny Venetsanos
Region II Director..........Stephen Letchford
Region III Director.................... Judy Beale
Region IV Director................ Troy Willams
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Follow VAS On Social Media |
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