Land Surveyors and Democracy

The practical goals of land surveying might seem to exist on a different plan than the lofty ideals of a government based on democracy. But in the eyes of Ghana’s Lands, Forestry and Mines Minister, Mrs Esther Obeng-Dapaah, they are one and the same.

Last week at a two seminar entitled “Managing Geo-Spatial Data to Enhance Democratic Governance” Mrs Oben-Dapaah argued that complete geo-spatial data about her country is vital to its future. Knowing what is where and the trends of such things as land use and population can inform “decisions for democratic governance.”

She called on land surveyors to make their services available to metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

July Headlines Roundup

Land surveyors in the news over the past month:

• Self-Proclaimed Royal Wants Casinos In French Polynesia
Descendant of Tahitian royalty takes land surveyors to task over the issue of casinos claiming "non-compliance with moral obligation rules governing the profession of land surveyor."


• Partitioning Land in Jamaica


• Lyme disease hits close to home
Land surveyor in New Brunswick finally sees the government to acknowledge Lyme disease.


• Monument helps put Willamette Meridian on the map

Surveyor Memorialized with State Historical Marker

In the 1700’s Col. William Sudduth lived and worked as a surveyor in what would be the state of Kentucky. His memoirs talk about the state’s days as the US’s western frontier. Now Kentucky wants to remember him on one of almost two thousand historical markers placed throughout the state.

The Topcon GTS-230W Series in Action

Topcon’s wireless total station proved to be an invaluable tool during a shoreline reconstruction job at the Floyd Bennett Field in New York. The Field, New York City’s first municipal field was built in 1930. At the time a steel sheet seawall was put in place to protect the shore from erosion but time and the ocean’s waves had taken their toll. The wall had holes eaten away in it in many places and had even collapsed in one spot.

The fix was a front-sloping stone revetment seawall that should last longer than the original steel sheet wall. Building the wall proved to be a delicate dance with the tides. In racing against the coming of the high tide and keeping the slope grade right, the wireless total station was indispensable. The team started by grading the layout then periodically checking it with the total station throughout the project. Check out the article for a more detailed description of the project.

More information about the Topcon GTS-230W Total Station here.

2008 ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit

ESRI is holding their annual conference from August 2 – 5 this year.

From their website:

Join more than 400 surveyors and engineers in exploring the possibilities of GIS technology. See how GIS software integrates with surveying and engineering tools to provide more complete business solutions and field processes. User presentations, access to ESRI experts, and a wide range of session topics are geared to meet the needs of all attendees, regardless of GIS experience.

Listen to Brent Jones, Survey, Cadastre, and Engineering Industry Manager at ESRI, provide an overview of what attendees can expect at the 2008 ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit.

News Roundup

• South Carolina Society of Professional Land Surveyors Selects Surveyor of the Year


• Bruce Winton: Living Through The Land Survey Revolution - Reflections on a 30 year plus career surveying.


• Two men set out to settle a township boundary dispute


• Government to fill up 500 Surveyor Posts soon
- The Indian government needs lots of surveyors and it needs them now.

Carving Stonehenge Out of Ice Requires a Surveyors Touch

Why make a Stonehenge replica out of ice? Why not? Check out this fascinating article from American Surveyor about a team in Alaska who decided to build an icy Stonehenge.