Surveys of the Public Lands (PLSS) - Esri

SURVEYS OF THE PUBLIC LANDS (PLSS)

(The Big Picture) James A. Coan Sr., P.L.S.

INTRODUCTION

The term "Public Lands" is applied broadly to the areas that have been subject to administration, surveys, and transfer of title to private owners under the public lands laws of the Untied States since 1785

INTRODUCTION

Thirty states including Alaska, constitute the public land survey states which have been, or will be subdivided into rectangular tracts.

INTRODUCTION

The area of these states represents approximately 72% of the United States. According to the Land ordinance of May 20, 1785 the land was to be surveyed before it was sold

THE GENERAL SCHEME

According to the Manual of Surveying Instructions the law provides that: 1)The public lands of the United States shall be divided by lines intersecting true north and south lines at right angles so as to form townships six miles square.

THE GENERAL SCHEME

2) The townships shall be marked with progressive numbering from the beginning. 3) The townships shall be subdivided into 36 sections, each one mile square and containing 640 acres as near as may be

THE GENERAL SCHEME

4) Sections shall be numbered, respectively, beginning with the number 1 in the northeast section and proceeding west and east alternately through the township with progressive numbers to and including 36

THE PUBLIC LAND STATES

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVEYS OF THE PUBLIC LANDS

The United States Public Land Survey System (PLSS) was inaugurated in 1785, and the territory that is now eastern Ohio serves as the test area.

This area is known as the "The Old Seven Ranges"

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVEYS OF THE PUBLIC LANDS

Sets of instructions for surveys began to be issued in 1784. The first manual of instructions were issued in 1855. Later manuals were issued in 1881, 1890, 1894, 1902, 1930, 1947, 1973, and 2009

MEASUREMENTS USED IN THE PLSS

Distances given in the instructions are in chains and Links. The particular chain that is used is the Gunter's chain.

GUNTER'S CHAIN

MEASUREMENTS USED IN THE PLSS

One chain = 100 links = 66 feet, 1 link = 0.66 feet 80 chains = 1 mile 10 square chains = 1 Acre

1 chain = 4 rods, 1 Rod = 1 Pole = 1 Perch = 16 ? feet

MEASUREMENTS USED IN THE PLSS

Metric Conversions, US Survey Foot 1 Meter = 39.37 inches (exact) 1 US Survey Foot = 0.3048006096... meter 1 link = 0.2011684023... meter 1 meter = 3.28083333... US Survey Foot 1 acre = 0.40468726099... hectare

(1 hectare = 10,000 m2)

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