California Surveyors Forums

The San Diego Union Tribune ran an article today about the International Border. They included a picture of the westerly monument. it is located on the Mexican side of the fence. When the fence was being constructed, I sent a number of letters to the federal government, explaining that the monument needs to be accessible to land surveyors.

In order to locate this monument, you have to enter Mexico under a lot of security. A fellow surveyor went over there and all his equipment was stolen. He sought the help of the Border Patrol and TSA, to no avail. Their insurance company would not cover the loss as the equipment was taken while it was in another country. No coverage. It is too bad there has been no support for this problem.

https://www.pobonline.com/articles/9474 ... g-boundary

I did my best to memorialize my thoughts in the attached video which I prepared and composed and played the somber guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... e=emb_logo

Things we should be concerned with.......

Thanks for posting. I was recently thinking about this story and how much survey work Trump’s wall must be creating.
Merry Christmas, Jon

Hi Jon,

As you may know, there are generally two walls. Since I wrote this article, the government built a second wall, some 60-feet inside the border. thus making boundary lines mostly irrelevant.

Mike, I honestly don't see the problem.
Yes, you need to go across to access (touch) almost all of the border monuments, but you are free to do so, without any restrictions (on the South side).
No "security" is required at all. You have free access, just go and check it out. It is a pleasant tourist destination.

If access on the Northern side of the fence is possible triangulation would be easy. Border Field Park is beautiful. I used to have lunch there... but that area is restricted now.

Your anecdotal comment about someone loosing equipment and insurance coverage... that is kinda off topic in my mind. Check your policy and if needed buy additional insurance if you like, it is easy to get that coverage.
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I have always found it curious that the wall rehabs are held back a meter or two from the known line... that's a Lot of land being abandoned.

Hi, Have you tried to cross the border and work in Mexico the last 10 years?

Where do you get the coverage for the equipment?

https://www.export.gov/article?id=Mexic ... rary-Entry

Peter, your comments from 2014.

" For you guys in those states that border Mexico. Do you know the licensing laws for Mexico and if topographic surveying is considered as licensed practice? Someone asked me if they could go over the boundary to perform topographic surveying for pro bono charity work.

" Thanks

"To be honest I never thought of it. I seriously doubt it, but it would be good to know.

I do have friends and family that are architects and engineers, and I occasionally hire surveyors. I will ask."

my Daughter in law, an Engineer said:
"Hi Peter, for a topographic survey is not required a license because it is a work of staff. but if they are going to do some construction there if require a building permit and the plans must be signed by an expert"

I hope this helps!

******************************************************
Pursuant to the attached article:

After September 11, 2001, tightened security had a definitive impact upon the boundary monuments. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in
2005, which stipulated a double fence along the entire United States-Mexico border. Section 102 of the act gave the Secretary of the Department of
Homeland Security the right to waive any law that would impede the rapid construction of the walls. That included the National Historic Preservation Act
that protected the boundary monuments. In particular, No. 258 at the Pacific Ocean was redesigned in 2011 so that the obelisk stood exclusively on the Mexican side and was cut off to Americans by a thick mesh fence.

While the boundary monuments still exist, they are generally unknown to most Americans since they are neither visible nor accessible on the U.S.
side. Only curious historians and filmmakers from abroad venture to locate them, crossing into Mexico and searching the military landing mat for a sighting.

***************************************************************************************************************

When my friend went down there, a bunch of guys/bandits followed him around and they were robbed. How does that work and why cannot we get easier access to these monuments? That is my point.

1. If you want to know about bringing your equipment into Mexico, ask Aduanas de Mexico.
They make the rules.
*Don't trust Any third party source... they are often either out of date, heavily biased, or just wrong.
https://www.comercioyaduanas.com.mx/adu ... en-mexico/

2. Insurance: ask your existing carrier. If you are not covered I am sure they would love to sell you more coverage. Or, like me, self insure.

3. Access to the International Boundary Monuments: unrestricted on the Mexico side.
*If a Surveyor is unaware of their existence or importance they should not be surveying.

4. Exiting the USA: Exit Inspection Stations have been constructed at some portals, the station is now active at San Ysidro for crossing to Tijuana.
Authorization and construction of the Exit Inspection Stations started about ten years ago.
Unknown future on these, exit permits are rumored to be required in the future.

5. Crossing the border into Mexico is simple. Screening is minimal, the focus is on importation.
You do need a Visitors Permit at a minimum, you may also need a Work Permit.
Ask immigration. (Mexico Immigration, they make the rules)
Tourist permits: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html

6. Re-Entry into the USA: I believe a valid US Passport or B1/B2 Crossing Permit is required.

***again: If you see someone dogging you around (in any place, at any time) retreat to a safe area.
it sounds like your unnamed friend was being especially foolish.

PS: the border wait time websites are notoriously in error.
I cross North on off days (Tuesday-Thursday), at off peak times (6 am to 8 am), typically in Tecate.
We Seldom wait more than 30 minutes.