PS Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Flashcards

In the PLSS, what is the maximum allowable closing error for a standard township exterior as specified by the BLM Manual?

Answer: 1:5,000 of the total perimeter

The BLM Manual of Surveying Instructions permits a closing error not exceeding 1 part in 5,000 for township exteriors.

When retracing a PLSS survey, which original monument takes precedence over all others?

Answer: Original corners established by the government surveyor

Under the law of original survey, corners set by the original government surveyor are controlling and take precedence over all other evidence.

What is the term for a monument placed on a meander line where it intersects a section line in the PLSS?

Answer: Meander corner

A meander corner is set at the intersection of a meander line with a township or section line to document the approximate location of a navigable waterway.

In the PLSS, what procedure is used to re-establish a lost interior section corner when all four adjacent quarter-section corners are found?

Answer: Double proportionate measurement

Double proportionate measurement uses the four adjacent quarter-section corners to re-establish a lost interior section corner by proportioning in both latitude and departure.

Which PLSS feature is used to correct for earth curvature and meridian convergence at regular intervals north of the baseline?

Answer: Standard parallels (correction lines)

Standard parallels (also called correction lines) are established every 24 miles north and south of the baseline to reduce the accumulated error from meridian convergence.

What term describes the PLSS legal description 'NE¼ of the SW¼ of Section 14, Township 3 North, Range 5 East'?

Answer: Aliquot part description

A description using quarter-quarter section notation within a numbered section is called an aliquot part description in the PLSS framework.