FUNDAMENTAL SURVEYING Land Boundaries and Property Law

Question 1

In the US Public Land Survey System (PLSS), what is the standard size of a township?

Accepted Answer

6 miles × 6 miles

Answer

1 mile × 1 mile

Answer

36 miles × 36 miles

Answer

5 miles × 5 miles

Question 2

In the PLSS, sections are numbered starting from which corner of the township?

Accepted Answer

Northeast corner

Answer

Southwest corner

Answer

Northwest corner

Answer

Southeast corner

Question 3

Which type of boundary description is most commonly used to describe irregular land parcels in the US?

Accepted Answer

Metes and bounds

Answer

Lot and Block (recorded plat)

Answer

PLSS legal description

Answer

Rectangular survey description

Question 4

In order of priority, which type of monument takes precedence in resolving boundary conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Natural monuments over artificial monuments over record distances

Answer

Distances over bearings

Answer

Bearings over distances

Answer

Record bearings over all other evidence

Question 5

What is a 'senior rights' doctrine in land boundary law?

Accepted Answer

The earlier (senior) deed takes priority over a later (junior) deed for the same land

Answer

Older property owners have priority

Answer

The government always has senior rights

Answer

Mineral rights are always senior to surface rights

Question 6

What is the legal doctrine of 'acquiescence' in boundary law?

Accepted Answer

Long-term mutual recognition and acceptance of a boundary line by adjoining owners can establish it legally

Answer

A neighbor waives the right to sue

Answer

The surveyor's interpretation of ambiguous deeds

Answer

A court order fixing a boundary