What surveying can't a civil engineer do?

Ben Lund · Post by **Ben Lund** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:04 pm

Dylan,
After talking with one of my mentor’s, he suggested that when the PE uses the ROW map and field evidence and decides to ACCEPT the found monument as defining the ROW, that is land surveying. I see your point Dylan that this analysis has already been done and hence the ROW map in the first place. On the other hand, each survey is the land surveyor’s professional opinion.

Why aren’t grading plans (with boundary and dimensions from fixed works to boundary shown) signed by land surveyors? Do you have to do a boundary survey for a grading plan? I don't believe that showing boundary lines on an exhibit is practicing land surveying (i.e. Tentative Maps, GIS, Grading Plans). I have yet to see a grading plan, improvement plan, site plan, erosion control plan, SWMP exhibit, etc with an LS stamp on it. Maybe this needs to change!

Ben Lund · Post by **Ben Lund** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:41 pm

Great thread, I've really enjoyed the discussion here!

PLS7393 · Post by **PLS7393** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:48 am

Ric7308 wrote:So in your office, only 1 Civil Engineer has seen the error of his ways and became a Land Surveyor?

I wouldn't see it as he saw his error of his ways, rather he was smarter than the average Civil Engineers and knew what was best for him.

subman · Post by **subman** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:21 am

To all the post-82 PEs out there; if you feel you have the competency to do the surveying activities as described in 8726, get your PLS license to prove it.

You wouldn't drive a truck requiring a Class A drivers license in California with a Class C drivers license would you, even though you could start it, put it in gear and press the gas pedal? Try explaining that to the CHP...

RasterMaster · Post by **RasterMaster** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:52 am

I hate to through a monkey wrench in at this point but………How does controlled machine guidance fit in to all of this? Or those GIS critters running around collecting everything form section corners to fire hydrants? I wish I could stop there but….. How about all the new LiDAR companys that are popping up all over the place performing topos and hydro graphics? Or the guys out there doing HDS for an Architect?

At one point in my career it was clear, hey you over there surveying, do you have an LS? No you say! Well, go gettem JPPC. And they did!

Now, I really don’t know unless it involves a Boundary or Accuracy.

The only people that are going to be proactive in the policing of our profession is US!
We must remain vigilant.

RasterMaster · Post by **RasterMaster** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:33 pm

Thats exactly my point GS but they are!

subman · Post by **subman** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:23 pm

I like the distinction that BPELS makes between the two types of surveying: Land Surveying and Engineering Surveying (limitation of post-1982 civil engineers). See the attachment.

subman · Post by **subman** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:42 pm

I like the distinction that BPELS makes between the two types of surveying: Land Surveying (Section 8726) and Engineering Surveying (Section 6731.1, limitation of post-1982 civil engineers). See the attachment.