PS PS Public Land Survey System (PLSS)

Question 1

In the 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

3 miles × 3 miles

Question 2

How many acres are in a standard PLSS section?

Accepted Answer

640 acres

Answer

160 acres

Answer

320 acres

Answer

1,280 acres

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Northeast corner

Answer

Northwest corner

Answer

Southwest corner

Answer

Southeast corner

Question 4

What is the term for the fractional sections created along the north and west edges of a PLSS township to account for convergence and measurement errors?

Accepted Answer

Government lots

Answer

Lots

Answer

Aliquot parts

Answer

Excess sections

Question 5

What is the primary meridian used as the reference for the PLSS surveys in California, Nevada, and most of Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Mount Diablo Meridian

Answer

San Bernardino Meridian

Answer

Humboldt Meridian

Answer

Gila and Salt River Meridian

Question 6

What is a 'quarter section' in the PLSS, and how many acres does it contain?

Accepted Answer

One-quarter of a section; 160 acres

Answer

One-quarter of a section; 320 acres

Answer

One-quarter of a township; 640 acres

Answer

One-quarter of a section; 80 acres