the nevada traverse - The Nevada Association of Land Surveyors

Transcription

The Nevada
Traverse
Institutional Affiliate
National Society of Professional Surveyors
Member Western Federation of Professional Surveyors
Vol. 40, No. 2
Journal of the Professional Land Surveyors of Nevada
Agrimensores: The Roman Surveyors Part 2 of 2 ... See Page 5
2013 CLSA/NALS Joint Conference Wrap-Up... See Page 8
2013
Who’s Who in NALS
2013 State Association Officers
Vern Little, PLS, President
VTN Nevada
2727 S. Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Email: [email protected]
Glen Armstrong, PLS, President-Elect
U.S. Geomatics, Inc.
227 Vine Street
Reno, NV 89503
Trent Keenan, PLS, Secretary
Diamondback Land Surveying, LLC
1091 Cimarron Road, Suite A1
Las Vegas, NV 89145
Carl C. deBaca, PLS, Treasurer
Alidade, Inc. P.O. Box 1586 Elko, NV 89803
Lahontan Chapter
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 20522, Reno, NV 89515
Bus. 702- 873-7550
Fax: 702-362-2597
Bus. 775- 786-5111
Fax: 775-786-5114
Bus. 702-823-3257
Fax: 702-933-9030
Bus. 775-777-8587
Fax: 775-777-8587
The Nevada Traverse
Terry W. McHenry, PLS, Editor, The Nevada Traverse
14710 Rancheros Drive
Bus/Fax: 775.852.7290
Reno, NV 89521
Jason Caster, PLS, President
Wood Rodgers 575 Double Eagle Court
Reno, NV 89521
Kevin German, PLS, President-Elect
CFA, Inc.
1150 Corporate Blvd.
Reno, NV 89502
Halana Salazar, PLS, Secretary
NDOT
1263 S. Stewart St.
Carson City, NV 89712
Charles ‘Dan’ Church, PLS, Treasurer
Sierra Surveying, Inc. 555 Holcomb Ave.
Reno, NV 89502
David Crook, PLS, Chapter Representative
Tri State Surveying, Ltd.
1925 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
Bus. 775- 823-4068
Bus. 775- 856-1150
Bus. 775- 888-7470
Bus. 775-828-5004
Fax: 775-337-0313
Bus. 775-358-9491
Southern Nevada Chapter
Central Office
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 572152, Las Vegas, NV 89157
Executive Secretary position is currently vacant
P.O. Box 20522
Bus: 775.624.6257
Fax: 775.624.6257
Reno, NV 89515
Contact Individual Board Members (above)
NSPS Governor for Nevada
Paul Burn, PLS
G.C. Wallace, Inc.
1555 South Rainbow Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Bus. 702.804.2060
Fax: 702.804.2299
Great Basin Chapter
Gary Hancock, PLS, President and Chapter Representative
City of North Las Vegas
Bus. 702-633-1310
50 East Brooks Ave.
Fax: 702-633-1909
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Sean Corkhill, PLS, President-Elect and Chapter Representative
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Bus. 702-875-7074
100 City Parkway, Suite 700
Fax: 702-822-3350
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Steve Deveny, PLS, Secretary
NV Energy 6226 W. Sahara MS#9
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Bus. 702-402-2168
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 944, Elko, NV 89803
Carl C. deBaca, PLS, President and Chapter Representative
Alidade, Inc.
Bus. 775- 777-8587
P.O. Box 1586
Fax: 775-777-8587
Elko, NV 89803
Norman M. Rockwell, PE, PLS, President-Elect
Bureau of Land Management
Bus. 775- 753-0321
3900 E. Idaho Street
Fax: 775-753-0246
Elko, NV 89801
Jolene Hoffman, Secretary (acting)
1262 ½ 5th Street
Elko, NV 89801
Bill Nisbet, PLS, Treasurer
Farr West Engineering
421 Court Street
Elko, NV 89801
Cell: 775-340-5933
Bus. 775-738-2121
Fax: 775738-7995
Jonathan Wooten, PLS, Treasurer
Las Vegas Valley Water District
100 City Parkway, Suite 700
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Bus. 702-875-7075
Fax: 702-822-3350
WFPS Delegates from Nevada
Nancy Almanzan, PLS
City of Las Vegas
333 N. Rancho Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Matt Gingerich, PLS
NVEnergy
PO Box 10100 S4B2O
Reno, NV 89520
Bus: 702.229.6343
Fax: 702.804.8582
Bus: 775.834.4567
Fax: 775.834.4189
The Nevada Traverse
This publication is issued quarterly by the Nevada Association of Land
Surveyors (NALS) and is published as a service to the Land Surveying profession of the state of Nevada. The Nevada Traverse is an open forum for
all surveyors, with an editorial policy predicated on the objective of NALS
Constitution and Bylaws, Article II, which reads:
“The purpose of this association shall be to promote the common good and
welfare of its members in their activities in the profession of Land Surveying; to
promote and maintain the highest possible standards of professional ethics and
practice; to promote professional uniformity; to promote public awareness and
trust in Professional Land Surveyors and their work.
This organization, in its activities and in its membership, shall be non-political, nonpartisan, non-sectarian, and non-discriminatory.”
The publication is mailed to NALS members and similar organizations on a complimentary basis. The Nevada Traverse is not copyright protected. Articles, except
where specifically copyright noted, may be reprinted with proper credit. Written
permission to reprint copyrighted material must be secured either from the author
directly, or through the editor.
Articles appearing in the publication do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of
NALS, its officers, Board of Directors, or the editor, but are published as a service to its members, the general public, and for the betterment of the surveying
profession. No responsibility is assumed for errors, misquotes, or deletions as
to its contents.
Advertising Policy
(Effective January 1, 2013)
COLOR Adv. Sizes/Types/Placement
B&W Adv. Sizes/
Types/Placement
The Nevada Traverse is published quarterly by the Nevada Association of Land
Surveyors and accepts advertising. Contact the editor for submittal specifications
for advertisements. The rates per issue are as follows:
Prof’l Listing
1/8 Page
1/4 Page
1/2 Pg (horiz or vert)
3/4 Page
Full Page
Center Spread (full
pages ONLY)
Inside L OR R face
Inside L AND R face
Outside L OR R face
Next 2 Spreads Out
from Center
1/4 Page
1/2 Pg (horiz or vert)
Full Page
Cover (full pages ONLY
except as noted)
Inside front cover
Inside back cover
Outside back cover
(3/4 page ONLY)
MEMBER
PRICE
1 Issue Yearly (4x)
$70.00 $165.00
$100.00 $305.00
$175.00 $525.00
$240.00 $730.00
$315.00 $950.00
$350.00 $1045.00
NON-MEMBER
PRICE
1 Issue Yearly (4x)
$265.00
$525.00
$295.00
$615.00
$345.00 $965.00
$430.00 $1180.00
$505.00 $1310.00
$540.00 $1530.00
The
Editor’s
Corner
by Terry W. McHenry, PLS
2013 CLSA/NALS Conference Wrap-up
T
he March 23-27 Joint CLSA/NALS Conference
was another successful event. Congratulations to
both Conference Committees, exhibitors, sponsors,
speakers and presenters, student volunteers, and of course
all attendees, for making this year’s conference a great
success.
Be sure to read the Conference Wrap-up by Carl C. deBaca,
PLS, for all the numbers and particulars. A photo collage
from the conference has been provided for your perusal, and
follows Carl’s overview. The photos are through the courtesy
of CLSA, all taken by Steve Shambeck, PLS (California), of
PLS Photography. www.plsphotography.com.
Agrimensores: The Roman Surveyors, Part 2
Paul S. Pace, PLS, concludes his research paper on the
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE u
Table Of Contents
$610.00 $1745.00 $890.00 $2225.00
$1020.00 $2940.00 $1530.00 $3875.00
$560.00 $1580.00 $840.00 $2100.00
The Editor’s Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The President’s Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Legislative Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
$290.00 $770.00 $485.00
$400.00 $1080.00 $610.00
$560.00 $1580.00 $840.00
$1340.00
$1615.00
$2100.00
About the Cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Agrimensores: The Roman Surveyors Part 2 . . . . . . . 5
2013 CLSA/NALS Joint Conference Wrap-Up . . . . . . 8
Conference Photo Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
$640.00 $1855.00 $990.00 $2790.00
$600.00 $1810.00 $930.00 $2375.00
Professional Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
$580.00
Program Part VII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
$1740.00 $1000.00 $2442.00
Nevada’s Four Year Degree Surveying/Geomatics
Sustaining Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Deadlines for submittals are the middle of January, April, July, and October.
Business cards of the members will be published in each issue unless otherwise requested.
Running an ad does not imply endorsement of that advertiser by NALS, and
the editor reserves the right to not accept ads which may be in poor taste or
objectionable to the policies of NALS.
Send ad requests to:
Terry W. McHenry, P.L.S.
Editor, The Nevada Traverse
14710 Rancheros Drive, Reno, NV 89521
Phone/fax: 775-852-7290
email: [email protected]
2 The Nevada Traverse Vol. 40, No. 2, 2013
WFPS Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Meeting Minutes, NALS BoD, 04/26/2012. . . . . . 26-27
BLM Accepted Surveys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lahontan Chapter Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
NSPS Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
The Editor’s Corner continued from previous page
Roman surveyors with this issue of The Nevada Traverse.
The engineering marvel of the Roman aqueducts comprises a
significant portion of this second and last installment of Paul’s
interesting look at those surveyors who preceded us some 2,000
or more years ago.
Our cover photo is of the Aqua Claudia, still standing in the
Park of the Aqueducts just a few miles from the city center
of Rome, Italy. The photo was taken by Signore Leonardo
Sagnotti of Rome, Italy, who is a Senior Research Fellow at
Rome’s Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. Mr. Sagnotti,
who holds the copyright on the photo, has kindly permitted use
of the photo for the cover of The Nevada Traverse. It provides
a fitting segue into Paul’s concluding installment about our
predecessor colleagues.
Nevada’s
Program
Four
Year
Degree
Surveying/Geomatics
Dr. James A. Elithorp, Ph.D., PLS, concludes his seven-part
series on the Great Basin College Four Year Degree Surveying/
Geomatics Program in this issue of The Nevada Traverse. With
this final Part VII installment, Dr. Elithorp has given us a brief
introduction to each of seven graduates of the GBC Program.
Then each of these graduates in turn provides the reader with
his or her background, comments on the educational opportunity
provided by the GBC Program, and finally the graduate’s
current activity in their chosen field of land surveying.
This Editor is grateful for Dr. Elithorp’s original suggestion
and offer to prepare this series on the Great Basin College
Surveying/Geomatics Four Year Degree Program. I believe it
has been of tremendous benefit to all of Nevada’s land surveyors
to understand the history and particulars of the program. The
program itself is quite unique, and thus has served the needs
of a broad cross-section of aspiring surveyors and currently
practicing surveyors as well. We owe a good deal of gratitude to
Dr. Elithorp’s innovation and dedication in making this program
the success it has become. And, as members of the surveying
profession and community of Nevada’s land surveyors, we
must all be conscious of the need to continue to support and
encourage this program into the future.
From the outset, the GBC Surveying/Geomatics Program has
had an Advisory Board of practicing professionals who have
worked closely with Dr. Elithorp in charting the course of the
Program. These individuals have given freely of their time and
expertise to help identify the current trends and needs within
the profession of land surveying, so that the GBC Program can
best serve the purposes for which it was originally envisioned.
This Board is presently comprised of the following practicing
land surveyors from all parts of the State of Nevada: Bill
Mueller, Carl C. deBaca, Norman Rockwell, Ray Hebert, Jerry
Juarez, Steve Parrish, Matt Gingerich, Rita Lumos, Byron
Johnson, Dave Morlan and Kevin German.
NALS 2013 Legislative Committee Update
Brett N. Lane, PLS, the 2013 Legislative Committee Chair,
provides a brief report on the legislative activities of NALS, and
currently active bills of interest to NALS. Brett is working with
our Lobbyist, Brice Arkell, who once again has been retained to
track bills of interest to land surveyors, helping to oversee their
progress as they wind their way through the 77th Session of the
Nevada Legislature. At the date of this publication, NALS was
tracking approximately 40 bills, and offering support on 6 of
those bills.
Has Your Contact
Information Changed?
Change in your address,
email address, or telephone?
Please contact NALS with
your updated information.
You may email Trent Keenan, PLS
NALS Secretary at:
[email protected]
Help your NALS Board
to keep you current.
Thank you!
U
The Nevada Traverse Vol. 40, No. 2, 2013 3
The
President’s
Report
by Vern C. Little, PLS
I
hope that everyone that attended the NALS / CLSA
conference held at the Silver Legacy had a wonderful
time and gained valuable surveying knowledge. The
scholarship auction did really well this year with
NALS raising approximately $14,400. Thanks to all those who
donated to the scholarship auction and those who purchased
items from the auction. I would also like to thank all of the
committee members, board members, and volunteers that
helped put on a wonderful conference. Hopefully NALS will be
able to bring the conference back to Las Vegas in 2014. If you
know someone interested in pursuing a career in surveying /
geomatics, please let them know that scholarships are available
from NALS at both the State and Chapter level.
The membership approval and changes in the Constitution
and Bylaws have allowed the Board of Directors to sign a MOU
with the National Society of Professional Surveyors for 100%
membership dues. The $40 increase in Nevada resident regular
membership dues now gives you membership in NSPS. I hope
that everyone will continue in supporting the land surveying
profession at the local, state, and national level with one
membership.
The legislative committee has been tracking numerous bills
making their way through the legislature this year. There has
not been anything that has shot up any red flags that we would
oppose. Thanks to Bruce Arkell, Brett Lane, and all the other
committee members for tracking and analyzing the bill draft
requests; only a few more months of bill tracking to go.
About the Cover
by Paul S. Pace, PLS
The photo was taken by Signore Leonardo Sagnotti of Rome, Italy.
Photo and copyright by Leonardo Sagnotti. Signore Sagnotti is
the Senior Research Fellow at Rome’s Institute of Geophysics
and Volcanology. He is an amateur photographer and has put
together a fine collection of photos from the Park. They can be
viewed at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3277594-il-
Your NALS Legislative Committee is currently tracking 40 Bills (23
Assembly Bills and 17 Senate Bills); of those we are supporting 6
Bills: AB 94, which is the Nevada State Board of Registration Bill
on licensure; AB 227, which creates an oversight committee on
the transfer of certain public lands in the State; AB 301, requires
the Legislative Committee on Public Lands to conduct a study
on water conservation and alternate water sources in the State;
AB 349, by Commerce and Labor, revises provisions concerning
the professions in the State; SB 133, requires State Engineer
to work with local government to develop a water development
and implementation plan relating to the appropriation of water
under certain circumstances; and SB 499, creates a legislative
Committee on Water Issues. The rest of the Bills cover topics
across the Board from Construction defects, to Bidding on Public
Works Projects, Transportation projects, Nevada Departments’
State Land transfers, Contractors, Prevailing Wages on certain
projects and of course Water Rights.
It will be, as per normal, an interesting and exciting ride to the end
of the session, keeping an eye on these pieces of legislation, plus
all changes and additions, compromise and combinations before
the end of the 77th Session of the Nevada State Legislature.
Bruce Arkell, our Lobbyist, has (as always) done an outstanding
job to date during this session, and a very special thanks to Glen
Armstrong, PLS for supplying testimony on the State Board’s
Bill, AB 94; and also for doing the lion’s share of the review
and comments on AB 396, which is a comprehensive Bill that
potentially changes the State’s water laws concerning access to
navigable water bodies and potential impacts to existing water
rights.
I will provide a summary of disposition of the Bills we followed at
the close of the legislative session. parco-degli-acquedotti-park-of-aqueducts. Mr. Sagnotti kindly
permitted the use of this photo for the cover of The Nevada
Traverse. See also, http://www.flickr.com/photos/leosagnotti/
sets/72157594326010379/?
U
The photo shows the ruins of the Aqua Claudia, begun by the
emperor Caligula in AD 38 and completed by the emperor
Claudius in AD 52. The system is 43 miles in length. The ruins
are located within the Parco degli acquedotti, the Park of the
Aqueducts, a few miles from the city center of Rome, Italy. The
park contains the remains of 6 of the 11 major aqueducts built by
the Romans, though most are underground. Despite its proximity
to urban Rome, the park maintains a rustic feel.
by Brett N. Lane, PLS
2013 Legislative Chairman
U
U
Our next board meeting will be held on July 12th in Elko, with
the Great Basin Chapter Picnic being held on July 13th, which is
always a fun time.
Legislative Update
Agrimensores:
The Roman
Surveyors
Part 2 of 2
by Paul S. Pace, PLS
R
ome’s gromatici typically didn’t have to concern
themselves with elevations on boundary surveys.
However, for large scale construction projects, such as
buildings, bridges, aqueducts and the like, the surveyors needed
instruments that could adequately provide for grade. Among the
several choices for a leveling instrument was the chorobates. Its
description was outlined by the Roman architect Vitruvius in
the First Century BC. He described a long device with plumb
bobs at the corners to square up the instrument, and a trough
along the top edge to level it with water if needs be, eliminating
the need for the bobs on windy days.
However, several interpretations of Vitruvius’ instrument exist.
In more recent times the preferred version is a 20 foot long,
bench-like construct similar to the one shown in Figure 6. Long
experience leveling in mountainous terrain suggests this unit is
impractical, in particular for preliminary surveys of substantial
engineering works like aqueducts, which are outlined below.
Without the means to rotate the instrument longitudinally,
and given the difficulty in preparing the instrument shown in
Figure 3 for an observation in difficult country, another style of
instrument from an older interpretation, as shown in Figure 7,
would be more practical.27 In addition, level rods with moveable
targets are frequently mentioned in works discussing Roman
surveying. Regardless, the Romans had some viable means
to conduct large scale leveling projects with excellent results,
judging from the truly monumental works they built.
Figure 6. The Chorobates
Figure 7. Alternate, older version of Chorobates. A scaled down
demonstration model Fra Giovanni Jocundus, AD 1511
Another type of level mentioned, though always in vague terms,
is the libra aquaria, or water balance. That instrument suggests
a glass tube with upturned ends filled with water which allowed
the water level at each end to be used as a sighting device. This
kind of device would seem to have many advantages, particularly
after the invention of glass-blowing in the last century BC.
An instrument, spoken of by the Greek mathematician Hero28
but thus far not found in Greek or Roman archaeological sites is
the dioptra. It is described as a sighting instrument that could
measure horizontal and vertical angles by turning threaded
screws, not unlike the familiar tangent screws on an engineer’s
transit. It would seem to be a very practical instrument for
all manner of surveys and astronomy. While there are many
interpretations, its exact appearance remains a mystery. See
Figure 8.
Figure 8. Reconstruction of Heron’s dioptra, from Schöne, 1903.
Agrimensores... continued from page 5
Hero is credited with an additional instrument, a water leveler,
which would fit on the base of the dioptra. This unit, similar to
the libra aquaria, operated by means of water in a glass tube
which seems capable of more precise leveling than a chorobates.
See Figure 9.
The Romans used numerous methods for measuring linear
distance. Pacing included several different units, as noted.
They also used the familiar braided ropes or cords, which
were pre-stretched and coated with wax and resin to preserve
their length. Graduated rods called decempeda, Latin for “ten
feet” and in fact ten Roman feet in length, were also used. The
decempedae were fitted with bronze end caps and were used,
in groups of two or more in leap-frog fashion, for measuring
reasonably short distances. Also mentioned in the ancient texts
is the hodometer, an early form of odometer housed in a small
cart used for counting Roman miles. This may have been used to
establish mile posts, a feature of important Roman roads.
Figure 9. Reconstruction of Hero’s leveler.
From The Roman Land Surveyors, An Introduction to the Agrimensores
Of interest in discussing measuring rods is the Italian
municipality of San Giorogio della Pertiche. It is in an area near
Padua, Italy which even today still bears the distinct imprint of
centuriation. Pertica is the Italian word for “surveyor’s rod” and
a perticatore is a less-used alternative for surveyor, or “one who
uses the pertica”. It went into the French as perche, and then
into English as the perch, which we recognize today as a “pole”,
a “rod” or 1/4 Gunter’s chain, equivalent to 16.5 feet.29
Frontinus returned from the German campaign no doubt
expecting to resume his writing full time, but in circa AD
86 he was called back into service by the emperor Domitian.
The emperor named him proconsul Asiae, governing what is
now western Turkey. He left for the city of Hierapolis to deal
with, among other things, a pretender to the Roman throne.
He returned one year later, capping off what most historians
think was a successful tour there, somehow avoiding the
complicated and sometimes lethal entanglements of high level
Roman politics. His successor in Turkey was less fortunate. He
was executed for his failure to suppress the ongoing threats to
Rome.30
continued...
Frontinus went back into semi-retirement, once again taking up
his pen and writing Strategemata, or “Stratagems”, a treatise on
military strategies employed by the Greeks and early Romans.
It was intended for use by generals in the Roman Army. But
in AD 96, Domitian was assassinated. The following year, the
new emperor Nerva appointed Frontinus to the Economic
Commission to Decrease Public Expenditure, Vvir Publicis
Sumptibus Minuendis, a nod to his reputation for honesty and
integrity. It was probably not a coincidence that he was soon
after appointed Curator Aquarum, the Water Commissioner
for Rome. Historians speculate he received this commission
based on his knowledge of surveying.31 Running surveying and
engineering operations while directing large groups of people
were his natural terrain. In AD 98, he was elected consul iterum.
The Romans built monumental buildings all over their empire.
They constructed a vast network of paved roads and all manner
of infrastructure nearly everywhere they went. Most often the
surveying and construction for these massive public works
projects was done by the army. Some of the most enduring and
challenging of these, from the standpoint of the surveyors, were
the aqueducts. In all, the Romans built over 800 aqueducts
across the Empire, with over 3000 miles of channels. The
longest of these served Constantinople, at a length of 155 miles.
In Europe alone nearly 200 cities were provided with potable
water via aqueducts,32 including Rome itself. No other Western,
pre-industrial city attained the scale and complexity of Rome,
essentially reaching the dimensions of a modern metropolis
with a population approaching 1,000,000. These projects were
no doubt politically motivated; Rome’s rulers chose to exert the
will and spend the money to accomplish them.
Most of the total length of the aqueducts, something on the order
of 80%, was in covered channels. Arcades and bridges were only
employed for crossing rivers and deep canyons, when siphons
could not be used, or across plains to maintain a grade line
higher than the existing ground level. Grades were obviously
critical, so preliminary surveys were needed to determine if
the proposed source of the water was feasible for use and what
alignments might be best suited. Often mountainous country
intervened, so tunnels were used when necessary to shorten the
alignment and maintain a reasonable gradient.
Two examples of Roman aqueducts serve to illustrate the wider
problems facing the surveyors and hydraulic engineers. First
is the water supply for the Roman colony at Nemausu, now
the modern city of Nîmes, France. The only useable water to
be found was at Eure Springs near Uzès, over 12 airline miles
to the northeast. The source of the water, as determined by a
preliminary survey, was about 39 feet above the terminus of the
aqueduct, the water distribution basin located in the town. The
length of the aqueduct required was about 30 miles in length.
The overall gradient worked out to be roughly 1 in 4000.
Furthermore, the River Gardon, situated in a canyon, had to
be crossed and a siphon was ruled out. The crossing required a
limestone structure of 164 feet in height and over 1000 feet long
to span the river canyon.33 Today it is called the Pont du Gard,
as shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The Roman engineers limited
the heights of the arches to about 60 feet, to maintain stability.
The foundations needed to support the 50,000 tons of limestone
ashlar masonry were massive. To approach the required height
for the Gardon structure, three tiers of arches were constructed,
the water passing through a lined, covered channel at the top.
Agrimensores... continued from previous page
In 1743 a road bridge was constructed on the downstream side
of the structure and was not an original feature of the Roman
effort.34
Figure 12. 1910 cross section drawings of arches by Stubinger.
Figure 10. The Pont du Gard, the bridge and aqueduct over the River
Gardon as it appears today. The 2000 year old structure is a World
Heritage Site
But the height of the Pond du Gardon became a limiting factor
in the gradient. While the location of the river crossing even
now is regarded as the most suitable, the engineers could not
risk more height, or weight, on the structure, already among
the highest the Romans ever attempted. As a result about half
the total fall was used in the first one third of the project.35 With
the terminus still 20 miles downstream, the surveyors had little
room for error.
It would seem that a 20 foot long, bench-like chorobates was not
suitable for this work. The required precision does not appear
attainable and it would have been impractical in the mountains.
Some other interpretation of the chorobates, or more likely
the libra aquaria, would be a better choice for the surveyors
responsible for the elevations on this enormous project.
The aqueduct had to negotiate mountainous country between
the source and the town. In the way was a lake, with no good
alternate route around it. The Romans drained the lake and
constructed the aqueduct through it. Several tunnels, one 1300
feet in length, were also required to avoid lengthening the
route and thereby impacting the already shallow gradient. The
main channel of the aqueduct was concrete lined, with rubble
masonry sides. The channel was covered and reburied after
construction was completed. The alignment passes through the
Forest of Rémoulins, which required clearing for construction.
In addition the Forest is broken by 12 steep and narrow ridges
known locally as “the combes”. The valleys between the ridges
were spanned with bridges of various types.36 Modern surveys
of the aqueduct reveal that the gradient varies a great deal
over the length of the project. Nevertheless, the aqueduct
operated successfully for 150 years. No writings on the survey
methodology of the Nîmes aqueduct have been found.
Figure 11. 1910 end section drawings by Stubinger.
The second aqueduct of interest is situated in what is now
southern Turkey and was constructed about AD 150. To serve
the small city of Aspendos, famous now for its nearly complete
amphitheater, the Romans built an 11 mile long water system.
While relatively short in total length, the aqueduct crossed a
broad, swampy valley before reaching the city and the engineers
elected to build an inverted siphon across it. The siphon itself is
over a mile long and was divided onto bridges of 505 feet, 3031
feet and 1942 feet, respectively. On each side of the valley they
constructed towers where the water ascended from one bridge
and descended onto another. Even with the uppermost 20 feet or
CONTINUED ON PAGE 29 u
2013 CLSA/NALS Joint
Conference Wrap-Up
by Carl C. deBaca, PLS
T
he 2013 CLSA/NALS conference held in Reno between
March 23rd and March 27th was one for the ages. The
busy schedule featured multiple workshops by Gary
Kent, a prominent business and industry leader; a key note
address by Dave Doyle, lately of the NGS; and a workshop given
by Jan Van Sickle, accomplished author and recognized GPS/
GNSS expert; plus a cavalcade of other valuable workshops.
You should have been able to simply look at the conference
schedule on-line and conclude that this was a conference not
to miss. Over the course of the five days, some 495 surveyors,
speakers, students and vendors attended the conference. Where
to begin?… at the beginning of course.
Educational
On Saturday, March 23, Gary Kent presided over an all-day
pre-conference workshop entitled “Statutes, Standards and
Boundary Law Principles”. Mr. Kent, of the Indianapolisbased Schneider Corporation is the long-time chair of the ALTA
committee at NSPS and imparted much wisdom to the lucky
attendees. The LS Review track also started on Saturday with
sessions by Ric Moore, Ray Mathe and Armand Marois. This
suite of classes, which runs throughout the conference, has
grown over recent years to become one of the more prominent
and appealing components of the program.
Sunday saw the first day of the conference kick off with a
morning session entitled “Avoiding Boundary Problems” by Gary
Kent and more LS Review track by Mike Hart. Staff from the
California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and
Geologists, hosted a discussion on enforcement cases from start
to finish. The opening ceremonies started with the presentation
of the colors by the McQueen (Reno) High School ROTC Color
Guard, a solemn and inspiring moment, indeed. Dave Doyle,
recently retired geodesist for the NGS, gave a rousing and
challenging keynote address, discussing the gradual convergence
of geodetic and surveying techniques over the last 150 years and
predicting where we go from here. His assertion that we are
nearing the end of state plane coordinate systems and should
start thinking about what comes next, caused a stir in the
crowd of attendees. Doyle declared that the maturation of the
GNSS system and the advent of a very accurate mathematical
model of the ellipsoid have basically eliminated the need for a
ground-based coordinate system. He noted that nearly none of
his fellow geodesists even have a good handle on state plane
systems anymore. His discussion was filled with humor, as
when he discussed the 2010 earthquake in Virginia and its
fairly minimal effects, (except for the Washington Monument…).
While talking about the earthquake, he showed a slide featuring
a table and some plastic chairs on a lawn. One chair was lying
on its back and the caption read, “We will rebuild”. There’s no
accounting for geodesy humor.
Sunday finished up with one last workshop by Gary Kent on
Managing Business in Challenging Times. A highlight of the
LS Review track was David Paul Johnson, an educational
dynamo, as noted for his passion as for his technical insight,
giving a standing-room-only crowd a lesson on GPS and
Geodesy. Meanwhile Dave Doyle hid in the seats and tossed out
challenging questions and comments causing Johnson to refer to
Doyle as his ‘math guy’.
Daily Program
The program started in earnest on Monday morning with a
workshop by Steve Parrish and Dave Morlan on the continuing
saga of Surveying the Comstock. Monday also marked the
first time that the conference attempted to address the mining
industry by offering a suite of classes related to mine surveying.
Mitch Bartorelli of TriState Surveying, Ltd. gave a presentation
on the nuts and bolts of photogrammetry; Jeff Flamini and
Marty Crook of Monsen Engineering discussed the use of
survey instruments in a variety of mining environments and for
a variety of tasks; then attendees got a second dose of David
Paul Johnson as he reprised his old Geodesy 101 presentation
with focus on mining application. Mr. Johnson’s use of a Mr.
Potatohead to represent the geoid and numerous other unusual
visual aids makes for an amusing and enlightening experience.
The room was packed for all three classes and this writer for one
is hoping that this becomes an annual feature of our conference,
attracting surveyors from the Nevada mining industry.
Workshops on the California Real Time Network by Rich Maher
and Dave Olander, an NGS Update by Marti Ikehara and Bill
Stone, and more LS Review track by Jay Seymour rounded out
Monday Morning. In the afternoon the Comstock presentation
and the LS Review continued, while Jim Coan hosted a
workshop on Random Error Theory. Neil King added to the LS
review track and the National Association of County Surveyors
presented workshops on electronic Filing and Linking Google
Earth with NGS Benchmarks.
Tuesday, the conference offered a 10 hour OSHA Certification
class, which lasted all day, (plus all of Wednesday). Noted
author Jan Van Sickle gave a workshop on Coordinates and
Geodesy and another on GIS and GNSS. Jay Seymour came
back to host a presentation on ALTA surveys and Keith Warren
covered 3D Infrastructure and 3D models. The LS Review track
continued with classes by Robert McMillan, Jeremy Evans and
Robert Reese. Alan Riekki and Bob LaRiviere, Land Surveyors
with the Nevada Board of Professional Engineers and Land
Surveyors hosted a discussion on disciplinary actions and hot
topics.
The conference wrapped up on Wednesday with a workshop
hosted by Byrum Lee, Esq.
Mr. Lee discussed some cases
where boundary issues or construction defects led to liability
and lawsuits for surveyors due both to survey mistakes and
poor contract language. This was an eye-opener for everyone
who attended. Frank Maxim hosted the final portion of the LS
Review track.
Social Activities
Saturday night saw the return of the annual CLSA Education
Foundation bowling tournament at the Grand Sierra. It is good
to see that each year, a few more NALS members are showing up
and taking part in the fun. This was a well-attended affair with
the group taking up 12 lanes of 4 person teams, mixing equal
parts beer and BS. A few people bowled like they might have
done this before with some regularity and others, such as this
writer, looked to be attempting to cause injury to themselves
and others with reckless abandon. Some folks just came to
spectate and mingle. Throughout the night sneaky surveyors
ruined the scores of their competitors with gutter ball tickets
that were being shilled by the Education Foundation.
On Sunday evening the vendors hosted their annual icebreaker
reception in the exhibitors’ hall, followed by a hospitality suite
hosted by the NALS president Vern Little.
Conversation,
(and maybe just a little booze) spilled out into the hallway on
occasion. Meanwhile, a few floors down, another hospitality
suite popped up thanks to certain individuals from our cousins
in the Sacramento area, who sadly must go un-named. This one
featured live entertainment in the form of the velvet tones and
nimble fretwork of a certain California survey magazine editor,
as well as an impressive array of fine liquors, though it seemed
mixers were in short supply… Both of these suites lasted to see
another evening and served to remind this writer of a bygone
time when the NALS suite typically ran through the entire
conference and acted as a sort of safe haven for those whose
brains got too full downstairs.
Awards Luncheon
During the Monday luncheon the winners of scholarships
and awards were announced.
Many awards were given out
to deserving individuals, sponsors and chapters. A complete
listing of the CLSA recipients can be found at their website and
will be published in the next edition of the California Surveyor
magazine. The Nevada recipients are as follows: Meritorious
Service award to Sean Corkill; Sustaining Member of the
year to Holmans of Nevada; Life Member to Barry Hickerson;
Article of the Year to Carl C.de Baca and Surveyor of the Year
to Nancy Almazan. The 2013 NALS Scholarship and Richard
Monsen Memorial Scholarship winner was Savanah Winans,
a student at Great Basin College. Congratulations to these
past, present and future Nevada Surveyors! I must make
a special mention of the winner of the 2013 AW Von Schmidt
award, Marty Crook who gives immeasurable time to gathering
donations for the scholarship auction, as well as repairing,
cleaning and calibrating the pieces of equipment he takes in.
His contribution on both sides of the state line is immense and
greatly appreciated. Congratulations Marty and Thanks!
Scholarship Auction
Monday night also saw the return of the scholarship auction.
Our usual auctioneer, Greg Lightnin’ Williams was under the
weather, so for the first time in a long time, we had another
auctioneer on the podium, who ably filled in for Lightnin’.
Eager and possibly liquor-fuelled bidders raised over 38,000
dollars between the live auction and the silent auction, bidding
on everything from homemade quilts (thanks Barb Herrick)
to homemade stained glass (thanks Linda Richardson) to
antique books (thanks Emerson Smith and others) to antique
instruments and not so antique theodolites (thanks to the City
of Reno and others). Once again, this writer will be in the
doghouse for several months for exuding shall we say, too much
enthusiasm at the auction. As noted above, the total amount
raised this year was over 38,000 dollars, with $14,400 going to
the NALS education fund.
Tuesday Luncheon
At the Tuesday luncheon our guest speaker was Joe Malarkey
who bills himself as the worst motivational speaker in America.
His constant barrage of jokes, asides, and self-deprecating
witticisms cut the crowd into those who laughed deeply at all
the schtick (this writer) and those that groaned as pun after pun
flew from his animated figure. At one point he suggested that
when dealing with customers, you should consider WWTSAD.
That’s “What Would TSA Do”. His humor served to underscore
the true message he ultimately delivered which is that it’s okay
to fail and that failure is just a point along the line towards
success. If you have a chance to see this guy somewhere it’s well
worth the effort. A sincere thanks to the conference committee
for booking Mr. Malarkey!
Conference Committee Acknowledgment
The conference committee, made up of people from NALS,
CLSA and the CLSA central office really outdid itself this
year. The speakers chosen were superb, the classes relevant
and challenging. The conference ran like clockwork and
the committee is already hard at work planning next year’s
conference! Stay tuned for date and time.
NALS
Historic Committee
Search
The Historic Committee is searching for
pictures and narratives on past presidents
and prominent contributive members.
The presidents are known, but a list of
contributive members needs to be developed.
This year we hope to collect an overview of
recollections, contributions and photos for
both categories for future use. Respondents
need not worry that two or more reply;
information and photos received will be
compiled by the committee.
Please respond to:
[email protected]
Thank you!
Interesting Fact
Question:
How many square feet are
there in an acre?
Answer:
43,560
But here’s something you may not
have known:
Write down any 3 different numbers (no zeros).
Reverse their order. Subtract the smaller from
the larger. Take this result and reverse its order.
Add the two numbers. Multiply the sum by 40.
The result will always be 43,560 – the number
of square feet in one acre! Why?
Example:
674 – 476 = 198
198 + 891 = 1089
1089 x 40 = 43,560
U
CONFERENCE
PHOTO
GALLERY
Photo Credits: By Steve Shambeck, PLS; www.plsphotography.com
Silver Legacy
Hotel and C
asino entranc
e
red,
S Reti
yle, NG ress
o
D
e
v
Da
te Add
Keyno
Vern Little, NALS Pres. and
Michael Butcher, CLSA Pres., open conference
nson and Alan Riekki,
Bob LaRiviere, Noni Joh
BOE, present
Bill Stone, NGS, presents
Dave Morlan and Steve
Parrish present
l Johnson
David Pau
Jan Van Sic
kle presents
Steve Parrish and
nt
Dave Morlan prese
Gary Kent presents
Mitch Bartorelli, Tri Sta
presents
te Photogrammetry, Ltd
. presents
continued...
SILENT AUCTION
ment
ntertain
eon e
y lunch
sda
y, Tue
alarke
Joe M
Silent Auction
EXHIBITORS HALL
Silent Auction
Berntsen In
ternational,
Tim Klaben
Berntsen International,
Tim Klaben
Bill Calm
es, left,
Spencer B. G
ross, Inc., An
dy Daniels
neering Booth
Monsen Engi
of Cartw
right Ae
rial Surv
eys
LIVE AUCTION
Savanah Winans, stu
dent
Marty Crook
C Graduate
Jolene Hoffman, GB
Marty Crook and student assistants
VOLUNTEERS
Student Volunteers
Student Volunteers
Nancy and Ray Almanzan
CONFERENCE
AWARDS
SurveYor of the YeAr, to nAncY AlMAnzAn
Article of the YeAr, to cArl c. deBAcA
MeritoriouS Service, to SeAn corkill
SuStAining MeMBer of the YeAr to holMAn’S of nevAdA, AlAn riekki
Accepting on BehAlf of StuArt MArtin
life MeMBer AWArd to BArrY hickerSon, Accepted BY MAtt gingerich
AW von SchMidt AWArd to MArtY crook
roger p. MonSen MeMoriAl ScholArShip AWArd, MArtY crook to
SAvAnnAh WinAnS
Our Commitment to Quality
and Service
Will Always be Our #1 Goal
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY
DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
2175 Green Vista Dr.
Suite 207
Sparks, Nevada 89431
Tel: 775-673-6000
Fax: 775-673-6010
4011 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Suite B
No. Las Vegas, Nevada 89032
Tel: 702-646-1732
Fax: 702-646-2050
88 Inverness Circle East
Suite B103
Englewood, CO 80112
Tel: 303-792-5510
Fax: 303-792-5512
Proudly Supporting
NALS Since 2001
Building
relationships,
one monument
at a time.
877.686.8561 • www.berntsen.com
Berntsen International, Inc. • PO Box 8670 • Madison, WI 53704-8670 • Toll Free: 877.686.8561 • Fax: 800.249.9794 • Email: [email protected]
Professional Listings
Contact Editor for
Business Card
Placements
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Professional Listings
(continued)
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Contact Editor
Contact Editor
Contact Editor
Contact Editor
Contact Editor
Your Name Here
Contact Editor
Nevada’s Four Year
Degree Surveying/
Geomatics Program
Part VII - Program
Graduates
By James A. Elithorp, Ph.D., PLS
Program Supervisor, GBC Land
Surveying/Geomatics Program
In the last issue of The Nevada Traverse (Vol. 40, No. 1, 2013) , we
looked at the issues surrounding accreditation and, in particular,
the necessary steps required to gain ABET accreditation for
Nevada’s Four Year Degree Program. In Part VII -- Program
Graduates, we look at seven graduates of the Great Basin
College Land Surveying/Geomatics Program presented in the
order of graduation beginning in fall 2008 and ending with
fall 2012. The Program has produced 12 graduates during
this period. We begin with Nicholas Carter, the first graduate
of the Program and end with Jolene Hoffman, our most recent
graduate. The seven graduates presented in this article present
an interesting picture of how the Program has met the needs of
students with different educational and work backgrounds.
Nicholas F. Carter (Fall 2008) is
the first graduate of the Program.
He began his studies as the lead
surveyor on the Hoover Dam
Bypass Project. He had already
earned a four year degree in
Construction Engineering and was
licensed as a Professional Engineer.
One of the surveying challenges on
the Hoover Dam Bypass Project
was establishing vertical control
on the site which would allow the
bridge spans to be placed within a
Nicholas F. Carter
tolerance of 1/16 inch. Nick used his
research on the required vertical control to satisfy the Program
Capstone course. This research was published as Establishing
Vertical Control on the Hoover Dam Bypass-Colorado River
Bridge. Surveying and Land Information Science Journal
(SALIS), Vol. 69, No. 1, March 2009. He is now a licensed land
surveyor in Iowa. Nick presented the challenges of the bridge
layout at the joint California-Nevada Annual Conference in Las
Vegas in 2010.
I became interested in surveying while working on the Nevada
Approach portion of the Hoover Dam Bypass project. I was
looking online for any offerings of survey courses in the Las
Vegas area and found the Great Basin College Land Surveying/
Geomatics Program in an Internet search. My initial intent was
not to obtain a degree, but to take a couple of courses to gain
some additional knowledge in the area of surveying.
After taking the first semester of courses I became very intrigued
by the program. Having previously earned a bachelor’s degree
in engineering from Iowa State University, I had anticipated
the course material to be elementary and fairly routine. To
my surprise, the program proved to be highly challenging and
the course content was very thorough. Due to the excellent
instruction and academic challenges that highly exceeded
my expectations, I decided to pursue the Great Basin College
Bachelor’s of Applied Science.
After completing my work on the Nevada approach of the
Hoover Dam Bypass project, I began working for the Obayashi
/ PSM Joint Venture on the Hoover Dam Bypass, Colorado
River Bridge project, now known as the Pat Tillman – Mike
O’Callaghan Memorial Bridge. My primary duties on this
project were to manage the design and implementation of the
geometry control system for the fabrication and erection of the
precast column segments and to implement the geometry control
for the cast-in-place arch segments. Additionally, I performed all
other surveying on this project as a one-man crew with the use
of a robotic total station and a high accuracy control network
developed by Artisan Spatial Technology.
I did not know it at the time I decided to pursue my degree
in Land Surveying and Geomatics through the Great Basin
Program, but the knowledge I obtained in completing the
courses was essential in allowing me to properly complete my
work and confidently establish procedures and systems that
would drive the work on the bypass bridge over the Colorado
River. One notable example of my use of skills obtained through
the GBC Land Surveying /Geomatics Program was using
propagation of error to identify any measurement errors in the
geometry control process for fabricating the precast column
segments. This allowed for a better understanding of how the
geometry control system needed to be established and also gave
me the confidence to implement this system. Error propagation
was also performed in establishing the vertical control network
at the bridge site which allowed for consistency in the highaccuracy survey of the cast-in-place arch segments.
After obtaining my degree through the GBC Land Surveying/
Geomatics Program and completing my work on the Hoover
Dam Bypass project, I moved to Des Moines, Iowa where I
currently work for the Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation
Authority. My primary tasks include managing multiple pump
station and wastewater conveyance projects. In accepting
my current position, I did not initially see much of a use for
the knowledge and skills I obtained through the GBC Land
Surveying/Geomatics program. Fortunately, however, I have
been able to become heavily involved in expanding the GIS
system maintained by the city of Des Moines. Some of the
courses offered in the program gave me extensive insight into
the need for, and the implementation of a standardized source
of geographic information. With this knowledge I have been able
to expand the city’s system and consolidate the information with
other agencies making it a more usable asset. While there is no
substitute for proper field experience, I have been able to use
my Land Surveying/Geomatics education to meet and exceed
my goals and also provide me with a level of understanding of
the surveying profession and practice that could not have been
obtained by field work alone.
Kevin German (Spring 2009) researched the problems
associated with the archival of survey records over time for
his capstone project. This included developing a prototype
database for the indexing, archival, and retrieval of land
survey records. This was a most difficult project and Kevin’s
challenge was limiting the scope of his project to fit it into a one
semester effort. Upon graduation, Kevin distinguished himself
Nevada’s Four Year Program... continued from previous page
by immediately earning licensure
in both Nevada and California.
Kevin works for CFA, Inc. in Reno
as a Survey Project Manager and
has recently become a partner in
the firm. He has generously given
his time to help the GBC Program
as a member of the GBC Land
Surveying/ Geomatics Advisory
Committee. Kevin is also an active
member of the Nevada Association
of Land Surveyors currently
serving as President-Elect of the
Kevin German
Lahontan Chapter.
I began the Great Basin Land Surveying/Geomatics Program in
the fall of 2006. I was able to transfer in much of my lower division
and general education from coursework completed at previous
institutions; it took me 3 years (6 semesters) to complete my
degree. I started out taking two classes per semester but ramped
it up to 4 classes in order to expedite the process. The online
nature of the program gave me the flexibility to do this while
working full time and raising a family. Weekdays were limited
as to the time I could devote so I ended up spending much of my
weekends catching up on school work. Much of the motivation
to get my degree came from my daughter Morgan who would
be heading to college herself in a few years. When emphasizing
how important college was and pushing her towards getting a
degree, I wanted to be able to say that I had done it myself.
Additionally, I knew if I was to stay in surveying, licensure was
a must and the degree was the only way to reach that goal due to
the legislative requirement for a four year degree for licensure
effective July 1, 2010.
After a number of different majors over the years and attendance
at four different institutions of higher learning, I graduated
from Great Basin College in May of 2009 and successfully tested
for licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor in Nevada in
October of 2009 and California in April of 2010. After enjoying
a few years without homework and exams, I am gearing up for
my next endeavor which is going to be the Certified Federal
Surveyor Program (CFedS).
Troy Hicks
surveyor licensed in Alaska.
Troy Hicks (Spring 2009) began
his studies in the GBC Land
Surveying/Geomatics
Program
living in the Reno area, and had
made substantial progress toward
the four year degree, when he and
his family moved to Alaska. Due to
the fact that our Land Surveying/
Geomatics Program is online, he
was able to complete his studies,
and graduate.
Troy used the
Capstone Project to investigate
and learn Alaska Boundary Laws
under the mentorship of a land
I heard that the state of Nevada was going to be requiring a
bachelor’s degree specifically in Land Surveying as part of their
licensing requirements for Professional Land Surveying. To
satisfy the requirement a college program had to be put in place.
What I heard motivated me to justify taking the time to get the
formal education, I already felt like I needed, and that I really
wanted. So I looked into it and found Great Basin College.
Back then I lived in Reno and Great Basin College is in Elko. So
I was a bit concerned about how I would be able to do the classes.
They were offering remote televised classes (Interactive Video)
and I tried it out and that worked very well. And there were
some lab (field work) requirements for some of the early classes
that required local land surveyors to take time to come help out
with on the weekends. That also worked out well. They would
bring over some of their equipment and help us do our lab work
for the classes. It was very beneficial to have different people
teach us their methods and experiences.
I expected the classes to finally answer some of my questions
and give me a much fuller understanding of various aspects of
the profession. To that end I was not at all let down. Frankly,
I plan to take a few of the classes again under audit status,
particularly Boundary Surveying and Public Lands. One
benefit from the education there at Great Basin College is that
I can confidently prove to prospective employers that I have the
knowledge they are looking for. Aside from being employable,
the benefits of the education are realized in every day practice. I
am very comfortable doing any type of survey field work, writing
legal descriptions, computing traverse adjustments, organizing
field work, reducing GPS measurements, advising field crews
on how to utilize the equipment, advising clients regarding
boundary issues, preparing survey plats, designing subdivisions,
mapping in various datums and projections, and now in project
management.
Before I finished the degree program I found myself needing
to move my family to Alaska. So I timed the move to coincide
with the GBC Land Surveying/Geomatics Program completely
moving to an Online Program. After moving I did not miss a
beat and was registered for another semester and finished the
remaining classes by utilizing the Internet via a web browser
while at home in Alaska. Great Basin College had made the
survey classes available through the Internet while maintaining
the same standard as the live classroom. I was able to complete
the degree and graduate, all while living in Alaska.
Since then I have gone on to working for RCH Surveying in
Fairbanks, Alaska, as a project manager. I finally have applied
for registration as a Professional Land Surveyor. I will be sitting
for the final exams either this year or next depending on replies
to letters I sent out. I plan to get more involved with the local
chapter of the Alaska Society of Professional Land Surveyors.
One area I plan to promote is the benefits of formal education
and how it shapes the profession and serves the public.
Ron Willhoit (Fall 2011) was
licensed in Kentucky before
choosing to earn his BAS Degree
in Land Surveying/Geomatics
from Great Basin College. An
exceptional student, he assisted
in identifying weak spots in the
Program and finding solutions
for these problems.
As his
capstone project, he developed
an instructional module for the
SUR 320 GIS for Land Surveyors
course consisting of step by step
Ron Wilhoit
instruction on how to input a
local Elko subdivision plat into
ESRI ArcGIS software creating a parcel fabric. Much credit
for the current quality of the
Sustaining Members
Following is a listing of sustaining members of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors. Please
remember that these firms and businesses, through their NALS membership, are supporting the aims
and objectives of our association.
Bruce L. Gandelman
California Surveying & Drafting Supply
Spencer B. Gross, Inc.
Andy Daniels, President
Mitchel E. Bartorelli
Tri-State Photogrammetry
4733 Auburn Blvd.
1010 Caughlin Crossing, Suite #3
1925 E. Prater Way
Sacramento, CA 95841
Reno, NV 89519
Sparks, NV 89434
(916) 344-0232
www.sbgreno.com • (775) 826-4240
(775) 358-9491



H&S Positioning Nevada
Surv-Kap, Inc.
4445 S. Valley View Blvd. No. 2
P.O. Box 27367
Ben Mallen
Trimble Navigation Limited
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Tucson, AZ 85726
10355 Westmoor Drive
(800) 432-8380
(800) 445-5320
Westminster, CO 80021
(720) 587-4576



North American Mapping
Seco Manufacturing Company, Inc.
4011 W. Cheyenne Ave., Ste. B, No. Las Vegas, NV 89032
4155 Oasis Road
Berntsen International, Inc.
(702) 646-1732
Redding, CA 96003
P.O. Box 8670
2175 Green Vista Dr., Suite 207, Sparks, NV 89431
(530) 225-8155 • Fax (530) 225-8162
Madison, WI 53708
(775) 673-6000 • Toll Free: (800) 473-0627
Toll Free: (800) 356-7388


[email protected]
Monsen Engineering, Inc.
5115 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89118

Kenney Aerial Mapping Inc.
(702) 220-6505 • Toll Free: (800) 821-0672
3470 E. Russell Rd., Suite 208
1140 Financial Blvd. #400, Reno, NV 89502
AeroTech Mapping
Las Vegas, NV 89120
(775) 359-6671
2580 Montessouri St., #104
(702) 260-3033
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 228-6277 • Fax (702) 228-6753


Dave Hamlin
Nevada Department of Transportation
1263 S. Stewart Street
Joe Schmidt
Holman’s of Nevada
Carson City, NV 89712
4445 S. Valley View Blvd., Ste. 2
(775) 888-7256
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Nevada’s Four Year Degree...continued from page 21
Program is due to Ron’s ability to communicate and his patience
in demanding the best GBC could offer.
I have always been driven by the passion of attaining a fouryear degree to complement my associate degree professional
courses in order to add value to my career. For me, I must say, I
welcomed the online program offered by the Great Basin College
in Land survey/Geomatics program as a moment of joy in my
life. I first learned about the program as I perused through
the POB magazine classified advertising, where I later gained
interest in it.
It has been more that thirty-five years since I received my
associate degree, and about twenty-three years since I passed
the NCEE LSIT & LS and got a license to practice land survey
in the State of Kentucky. It has not been an easy road towards
achieving a four-year degree. I had earned my associate degree
in 1978. Since then I enrolled in related courses from one college
to another trying to achieve my goal, earning over 156 college
credits, but never attaining a four year degree. This was mainly
because of the fact that most of the courses I wanted to enroll
in, the colleges’ mode of study was never offered either in the
evening or part-time, but only in fulltime. More so, because I had
a fulltime job and family responsibilities, the only choice was to
quit my job, which would have proved to be costly.
I had many expectations for the degree program, but I must
acknowledge that the program GBC offers surpassed my
expectations by far due to its uniqueness and student-focused
learning. Dr. Elithorp was quick to reply to my earlier letter to
him about the four-year degree program, whereby he provided
me with a personal learning plan, which finally became my road
map to success. Unlike other colleges or universities, the Great
Basin College took time to prepare a study outline for my benefit.
The studies allowed me to participate in the course work, clarify
what I do not understand while at the same time exposing me to
fieldwork activities to enhance my understanding in my studies.
Though it took me three years to complete the four-year
program, the courses came with its challenges, while at the
same time demanding my full attention with no breaks at all. I
began the program in the fall of 2008 and by the fall of 2011, I
was through; attaining 52 college credits, averaging just above 7
credited hours per seminar with a GPA of 3.73. This was a great
achievement for me.
My studies at GBC came along with so much benefit. More so,
it helped me achieve my professional goal of attaining a BAS in
Land surveying/Geomatics, which is job related. The BAS from
GBC resulted in an educational achievement award from the
Kentucky Transportation/Personnel Cabinet. It is required in
Nevada and many other states in order for one to be confirmed
as a professional and be issued with a license to practice.
I do not intend to stop here after accomplishing academic
honors; this was just a stepping-stone towards a brighter future
ahead. I shall continue to practice in the geomatics field with
an emphasis to further my skills and learn about 3-D Laser
Scanning, High definition Survey, LIDAR, and improve the
recordation of boundary survey both for the private and public
sector with a dream of one day surveying in the Public Land
System.
Cory Smith (Spring 2011) received his Associate of Applied
Science Degree from the College of Southern Nevada and
transferred to Great Basin College
to complete the four year degree
in Land Surveying/Geomatics
while working in Lincoln County,
Nevada. Cory achieved licensure
in Nevada shortly after graduation
from Great Basin College and is
currently working for Newmont
Gold Corporation at their Phoenix
Mine Property as a Survey Lead
Man. It is one of life’s ironic
circumstances that Cory achieved
his education at distance just
to move to the Elko Area after
Cory Smith
graduation. We are happy to have
him at the Great Basin Chapter of NALS.
I started college at the College of Southern Nevada (then
Community College of Southern Nevada) in 2004. My goal was
to graduate in 2010. Shortly after starting the Land Surveying
program at CSN, I moved to Caliente, NV to work with my
grandfather, Lenard Smith, in his Land Surveying business. I
had hoped to obtain my professional land surveying license and
eventually acquire my grandfather’s company in Lincoln County,
Nevada. Being able to take advantage of distance learning
enabled me to work full time and get my degree at the same
time, even though I didn’t live in a city with a college. While I
was attending CSN, I learned of the Great Basin College Land
Surveying/Geomatics Program, which would allow me to receive
my bachelor’s degree through long distance education.
I graduated with my associate degree in 2007 from CSN and
entered immediately into the GBC Land Surveying /Geomatics
Program. I was able to take 3 classes a semester and continue to
work full time utilizing the Internet classes as well as interactive
video courses as offered. Even though Great Basin College did
not have a campus in town I was able to find locations in the
area that allowed me to use their technology to attend class this
way. The Interactive Video and Internet courses allowed me to
work in the profession concurrently while attending school. I
was able to learn the theory and the field practice at the same
time which I feel helped me understand more thoroughly the
profession as a whole.
I graduated from Great Basin College in 2011, passed the
Licensure Exams, and achieved licensure in July of 2012. I
am currently working for Newmont Mining Corporation as an
Engineer Tech Senior and Survey Lead Man. Although it took
me longer to graduate than attending full time, the knowledge
I gained through CSN and GBC programs have been invaluable
in aiding me in my career thus far. I am currently trying to
decide where I want my career
path to take me, either continuing
with mining, or going back into
land boundary surveying which I
experienced while working with
my grandfather as I attended
school. I know that the knowledge
I gained through these programs
will aid me in whichever avenue I
choose.
Ross Doyle (Spring 2012)
received his Associate of Applied
Ross Doyle
WFPS Report
by Nancy Almanzan, PLS, and
Matt Gingerich, PLS
WFPS Delegates, Nevada
T
he WFPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS meeting was
held Saturday, March 1, 2013 at the Country Inn and
Suites in Salt Lake City, Utah, in conjunction with the
Utah Council of Land Surveyors annual conference. The NSPS
Student Competition was held in conjunction with the UCLSWFPS Conference.
The Board has taken an informal poll of the membership
regarding 100% membership in NSPS with membership in
ISPLS. The response was overwhelming among the responding
members to approve the plan. A formal ballot vote will be sent
out to membership and the results announced at the March
conference.
ISPLS has received nine applications for scholarships. The
Board authorized $9,200 in scholarship funding to be disbursed
at the discretion of the Scholarship Selection Committee.
MONTANA
MARLS celebrated their 50th anniversary at the conference.
Several anniversary items
were included in the scholarship auction and raffles.
ALASKA
TwiST program support was given by the ASPLS Board for
attendance by teachers in
June 2013.
A TwiST committee was formed (Dick, Linda and the scholarship
committee chair) that
will choose the TwiST teachers and determine the financial
process of how funds will be
distributed to the teachers from MARLS and West Fed.
The 28th (2013-2014) Alaska Legislature is in session and the
only proposed Statute change affecting surveyors deals with
removal of reference to a “written” exam in State Law.
MARLS supported the National Museum of Surveying with a
$1,000 pledge and plans to
raise more funds at the conference
ARIZONA
APLS has a Chapter for GIS professionals. Arizona is working
on a licensure for GIS professionals and Harold requested
information on if and how other states license GIS professionals.
The MARLS Surveyors Assistance Fund donated $1000 to the
NSPS Disaster Relief
Fund to assist with Hurricane Sandy relief.
CALIFORNIA
The Legislative Committee is drafting proposed language for
the following: Extension for setting monuments, Revisions to
Streets and Highway Code, Revisions to LS Act to be consistent
with BLM Manual title, Further defining the word “establish”
in 8762, Revisions to LS Act 8771. Allowing maps/field notes not
previously recorded be added as an attachment (not reviewed).
One of the issues with this may be the Copyright that a person
may have on those unrecorded maps. The committee is reviewing
the Oregon Revised Statute 209.250, requiring a narrative with
a map that is going to be filed. It may be something California
looks to enact or have CLSA look into.
Our education foundation awarded almost $35,000 with only 27
applications to deserving
students looking to further their education and a career in Land
Surveying for this upcoming year.
CLSA has committed to supporting 2 teachers for next year’s
TWIST program and we
have sent a letter onto WFPS indicating our commitment.
HAWAII
New WFPS Delegate from Hawaii has been appointed.
Arden Torcuato
2016 Waterhouse St., Ste. 101
Honolulu, HI 96819
Ph. (808) 285-7936
[email protected]
IDAHO
ISPLS has committed to the TwiST program this year. We
have received three applications to fill the two spots we plan
to sponsor. We hope to receive more interest and will make a
determination of the successful applicants at our next Board
meeting in March.
Conference: 2014 Conference will be held in Kalispell, Montana.
Board of Registration is in the processes of reviewing their
administrative rules. The Board of Registration is considering
requiring a licensee on the ground for every decision. It was
discussed that, with today’s technology, this is unnecessary. This
has become an issue due to the new oil jobs.
MARLS has signed the MOU with NSPS for 100% membership.
NSPS membership will be a member benefit and will be paid as
a MARLS expense.
NEW MEXICO
NMPS will support two TwiST applicants for 2013. The formal
application forms from WestFed noted that NCEES had
committed to covering 50% of the documented TwiST costs –
up to $25,000. NMPS is advertising TwiST 2013 to potential
teachers who might be interested in learning more about Spatial
Technology. A committee will screen the applications and select
two persons to attend TwiST 2013. Those two applications will
be submitted to WestFed by the deadline of May 1, 2013. It is
our sincere desire that TwiST 2013 will be held as planned (not
canceled) and that representatives from New Mexico will have a
beneficial learning experience.
New Mexico legislature has declared March 15th Land Surveyors
Day.
The NMPS Board of Directors supports the concept of 100% state
association membership in the National Society of Professional
Surveyors (NSPS). The issue will be put to a vote of the entire
NMPS membership at the 2013 Annual Conference for approval.
OREGON
PLSO has signed MOU for 100% NSPS membership.
PLSO had a successful Conference and raised a lot of money
at their Scholarship Auction. They are now working towards
establishment of a charitable Foundation.
Nevada’s Four Year Degree Part VII..continued from page 23
Science Degree in Land Surveying in 2009 from CSN, and
then transferred to the Great Basin College Land Surveying/
Geomatics Program. Ross is an employee of VTN Consulting
in Las Vegas, Nevada and is on track to gaining the necessary
work experience to be licensed in Nevada. My experience with
Ross is that he is a very capable student of surveying. In his
personal statement below, Ross states that he always thought
that survey education was important. That attitude was evident
in the classroom.
As a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, I wasn’t
really sure what I wanted to do. I probably fell into the majority
of college students and just went through the motions and
eventually ended up in a business major because that’s what
everyone else was doing. I started at VTN back in 2005 during
the residential boom and at the time we were running 30 crews.
When I found that very few people working around me had a
college education I knew that getting a degree in Land Surveying
would set me apart from everybody else. I had always wanted a
college degree because I felt it was important so I started taking
classes in pursuit of a Land Surveying degree. Little did I know
that a few years later they would start requiring a Bachelor’s
degree from all applicants wishing to take the Professional
Land Surveying Examinations. Once I found this out I knew I
had made the right decisions in pursuing both a career and an
education in Land Surveying.
My number one goal is to be successful. With Land Surveying
there are so many different areas of expertise such as Geodetic
Surveying, Construction Surveying, Boundary Surveying,
Boundary Law, Topographical
Surveying, and now 3 Dimensional
Modeling or BIM, it’s hard to choose
a specific goal or achievement that
I wish to accomplish. Whatever
branch of Land Surveying I finally
end up at I just want to make sure
I’m successful at doing it.
Jolene Hoffman
Jolene Hoffman (Fall 2012)
had earned a BS in Business
Administration and chose a
career change due to the lack
of opportunities provided in the
2008 recession. She has set an
I previously served in the US Air Force as an Instrumentation
and Telemetry Technician, and then worked as a Financial
Planner and Loan Officer after finishing a BS in Business. The
real estate market dropped and awarded me the opportunity
to look at a new career. Landing in Elko, NV I reviewed the
programs at Great Basin College to add more specific, technical
and updated skills to my resume to get me out from behind a
computer every day. Land Surveying fit the bill.
The reason I followed through with this choice is largely because
of the people I met and aligned with through the GBC program,
NALS Great Basin Chapter, technical users groups and annual
land surveying conventions. Although not largely populated
with women, surveyors in general fit my personality and work
ethic much better than stuffy bankers.
While attending Great Basin College I accumulated cadastral
surveying experience as a seasonal intern for the Forest Service
and later mine surveying experience with a local gold mine.
Upon completion of the Land Surveying/Geomatics degree, I
took a Survey Analyst position with Wallace Morris Surveying
which is a technical savvy company who has managed to grow
its business in this economy and recently opened a new office in
Elko, NV. Here I have had the chance to get my feet in the dirt
on some construction surveying and be intimately involved in
positioning to take on pipeline projects.
Down the road I see my business and technology background
complimenting the evolution of Land Surveying to date and
incorporating future developments of the industry. Every
day I learn something new from a surveying, technical and/or
business perspective; I don’t expect that will ever change. The
endless options are exactly what I was looking for.
U
I originally got my job with VTN Consulting through a friend
and at the time I didn’t even know there were such things as
Land Surveyors. I started out as a chainman (2005 – 2007),
then to an instrument technician (2007 – 2011), then to what I
am now, in a kind of limbo area where I deal with 3-D scanning
data, drafting software, and on occasion party chief. So I just
call my position now a “Land Surveyor” for lack of a better
word or title. I am thankful to have been involved with several
important projects with VTN. The first was the McCarran
International Airport Terminal 3 early package (2008 – 2010)
where I performed quality control surveying for the parking
garage and the basement level of McCarran’s Terminal 3.
The second major project was the P19A Pump Room (2011)
where I created a 3-D model of the interior of a water pump
room for the City of Henderson through the use of a scanner.
Throughout the years I owe much of my gratitude towards VTN
for their encouragement towards higher learning and giving
me opportunities that many people my age have not had the
privilege of experiencing.
excellent example for all those individuals exercising a career
change. She regularly attended our NALS Great Basin Chapter
monthly meetings as a student, and now as a graduate of the
Great Basin College Land Surveying Program. She is our 2013
Chapter Secretary. Her choice to meet and build relationships
with practicing land surveyors is the very best way for a student
to gain employment and enter the profession.
Has Your Contact
Information Changed?
Change in your address,
email address, or telephone?
Please contact NALS with
your updated information.
You may email Trent Keenan, PLS
NALS Secretary at:
[email protected]
Help your NALS Board to keep you current.
Thank you!
NALS Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, April 26 , 2013 • Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors • Las Vegas, NV
th
MINUTES OF MEETING:
Members Present: Vern Little, Glen Armstrong, Carl CdeBaca,
Trent Keenan, Jason Caster, Sean Corkill, Gary Hancock
Call to Order: 9:15 am Vern Little
Review and approve the agenda
Motion 13-07: Trent Keenan moved to approve agenda. Jason
Caster seconded.
Motion carried 6-0
Officer’s Reports
President 1.01
Vern Little
Written report submitted to the Central Office.
11.02 President-Elect Glen Armstrong
No written report.
11.03 Secretary Trent Keenan
Previous January 25th minutes approved through e-mail vote.
(Motion carried 7-0 e-mail response).
11.04 Treasurer Carl CdeBaca
Written report submitted to the Central Office. To date
membership is down a net of 74. Although we have 11 new
members from 2012. The board is going to making some phone
calls to last year’s members and see if there is any specific
reason why they may not have signed up for 2013
Standing committee reports:
13.1 Constitution and Bylaws Glen Armstrong
No written report. Need to update the CBL’s to reflect the MOU
with NSPS
13.2 Membership Chapter Presidents
All of the Chapter Presidents are trying to work together
and see how we can boost the membership numbers. To date
membership is down a net of 74. Although we have 11 new
members from 2012. The board is going to making some phone
calls to last year’s members and see if there is any specific
reason why they may not have signed up for 2013
13.3
Continuing Education
Chapter Presidents
The Southern Chapter is trying to hold a seminar on June 1st.
Details to come.
13.4
Advanced Education
Dr. Jim Elithorp
No written report. There are 60 seats in the program this
semester. Only 1 is actually in the seats at GBC. Carl CdeBaca
worked with Marty at Monsen Engineering and purchased a
new radio for the Land Surveying / Geomatics program to meet
the new FCC ruling for narrow band requirements. The final
cost was $2,070.00
13.5Scholarships
Carl CdeBaca
No written report.
13.6Legislative
Brett Lane
13.7
Publications – The Nevada Traverse
Terry McHenry
13.8Conference
Nancy Almanzan
13.8.1 2014 Conference Discussion is ongoing as to a host City.
13.8.3 2015 Conference Discussion is ongoing as to a host City.
13.9Ethics
Glen Armstong
No written report.
13.10Communications
Trent Keenan
No written report.
13.11 High School Outreach
Jerry Juarez
Written report submitted to the Central Office. Southern
Chapter has two 100 scores (clocked at 33:33 and 38:17) and a
94 score (49:97) to date. More test to come this year still.
13.11.1 Trig Star Jerry Juarez
13.11.2 Career Fairs
Carl CdeBaca, Dan Church, & Sean Corkill
Motion 13-08: Jason Caster made a motion to take $165.00
out of the NALS Education fund and to be used for the TrigCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE u
NALS State Board of Directors Meeting continued from previous page
Star prize funds. Sean Corkill seconded.
Motion carried 6-0
13.12 Advanced Technology
Gary Hancock
13.13Nominations
Chapter Presidents
No report.
Special Committee Reports:
14.1
Great Basin Chapter
Carl CdeBaca
Written report submitted to the Central Office
14.2 Lahonton Chapter
Jason Caster
14.4
Western Federation of Professional Surveyors
Nancy Almanzan / Matt Gingerich
14.12 NSPS Area 9 Director
Carl CdeBaca
A.
Unfinished Business
Nevada Traverse Scanning Project will begin soon.
New Business
Say good-bye to NAVD88 and NAAD83- Carl would like to
preplan a future sub-committee to help with this transition.
The next board meeting will be held on July 12th, in Elko.
Motion 13-09: Glen motioned to adjourn. Carl seconded
Motion carried 6-0.
U
14.3
Southern Nevada Chapter
Gary Hancock
14.11 CST Program Paul Burn
No written report
A CST exam was held on April 26, 2013 at the office of VTN in
Las Vegas, there was 3 people taking the exam.
Carl is also working with NSPS/CST to help create a mining
CST Exams. Carl needs MSHA to back it before it can move
forward. More details to come later
BLM Accepted Surveys
14.4.01 TwiST Program – Airfare and rooms have been
booked for both Southern Nevada Teachers.
14.5 NSPS
Paul Burn
Written report summited to the Central Office.
14.6Historical
OPEN
No written report
14.7
Past President’s Forum
Li Zhang
No written report
14.8
NALS Executive Board Guidelines
Matt Gingerich
No written report
14.9
LSI & Associate Members Forum
Gary Hancock
No written report
14.10 NSPS Foundation Brett Jefferson
No written report
WFPS Report...continued from page 24
John Thatcher reported that OIT has recently acquired a new
building for a satellite school.
PLSO is looking at proposed legislation to change the dig
law, “disturbing the ground in any way,” so that surveyors are
not affected by an administrative law regarding excavation.
John requested information regarding utility notification
requirements in other states.
Prosperity 20/20 in Utah is a program through the Governor’s
office. UCLS is working with the Governor’s office, through this
program, to identify teachers for the TwiST program.
Ron Whitehead reported this is his last meeting as a WFPS
Delegate. Chairman Harold Baldwin thanked Ron for his
many years of service and presented a framed Certificate of
Appreciation.
WASHINGTON
NSPS MOU for mandatory membership has been signed. LSAW
will pay the $40 per member as an expense instead of raising
dues.
Carla Merritt asked how many WFPS Delegates also serve as
their NSPS Governor; how many WFPS Delegates are appointed
versus elected; and how many WFPS Delegates have a vote on
their state Board.
TwiST - The TwiST workshop is scheduled to be held in
Vancouver, Washington at the Clark College campus, June 24-28,
2013. We will need to work together with the other WFPS states
to recruit a minimum of 18 teachers (24 maximum) to assure this
program is offered this year. Washington has collected $4,850 to
support the funding of teachers for the TwiST program, and an
additional $250 was pledged (but funds not yet received). Three
teachers have expressed
interest and been contacted thus far, but no official registration
has occurred yet. We are hoping to create a waiting list of
interested teachers, so if other states are not able to send
teachers, we will have other interested teachers available to
take their places.
WYOMING
PLSW filed a complaint with the Board of Registration against
a licensee. The license was revoked and it was published in two
major newspapers.
PLSW membership voted and approved NSPS membership and
a $45 dues increase to cover the
membership and NSPS fees.
NCEES
Letter received from NCEES regarding support of TwiST in
form of matching funds up to $25,000.
Lahontan
Chapter Report
by Jason Caster, PLS, President
S
ome recent Chapter activities and functions have
included the following:
Lahontan Chapter Secretary Dan Church gave a surveying
presentation at Shaw Middle School on April 3, 2013. Trig-Star
exams were held at Wooster High School and The Davidson
Academy. The Lahontan Chapter created a Facebook page and
Twitter account to help spread our gospel...
The CLSA/NALS Conference was held at Silver Legacy in Reno.
NALS had a booth in the exhibit hall which was manned every
day. I don’t know of many visitors to our booth, I had 3 in the half
day that I manned it.
Trimble-specific training was scheduled for May 8-9 in Reno
with Michael McInnis of System Dividends. However, the classes
were canceled due to lack of response from the invitations.
Lahontan Chapter President Jason Caster reached out to
Northern California CLSA, NALS Southern Chapter and NALS
Great Basin Chapter to help spread the invitation to their
people, but the email was not replied to. Carl C DeBaca later
told me that he was out of town on NSPS business, but we never
heard back from the other two, so it is not known whether the
invitation was ever sent out. We are going to try and re-schedule
the training for later this year, and will send invites to all of
NALS and CLSA this time.
General Meetings were held at Silver Peak Brewery in February
and April. The February speaker was John Wilusz of the
California DWR, who gave a presentation on the lost Fremont
Cannon. The April speakers were Washoe County Surveyor
Michael Gump, Washoe County GIS Manager Gary Beekman,
and Washoe County VRS Manager Vic Erickson.
The Lahontan Chapter Picnic is scheduled for June 21 at Hidden
Valley Park in Reno. The Lahontan Chapter Golf Tournament is
TBD.
Other items we are discussing:
1. Update to NALS logo
2. NALS night at Reno Aces Ballpark
3. Roundtables and/or seminars for
U
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Paul Reid reported that the WFPS scholarship program used to
be funded by a biennial scholarship auction held in conjunction
with the WFPS Conference. The scholarship auctions ceased
when WFPS stopped hosting their own Conference and instead
began co-sponsoring with a WFPS state association. Paul
reported that each WFPS state has their own scholarship
program so students are being taken care of locally. Further,
Paul drew attention to the WFPS financial reports and suggested
NEXT MEETING
June 1st - Oakland, CA. WFPS will host a seminar on May 31st.
Presentations will be provided by Earl Morriss and Linda Smith.
U
UTAH
Michael Nadeau reported on the activities of UCLS. UCLS
Board of Directors has approved the 100% membership and is
currently reviewing the MOU. Dues for 2013 will not increase;
instead, UCLS will absorb the cost for the first year.
that WFPS does not have the finances to continue offering
scholarships without offsetting revenue. Paul reported that we
are committed to award 2012-2013; however, beyond this year
it is recommended that WFPS suspend scholarships until such
time as revenue can be generated to offset the cost.
Agrimensores continued from page 7
so missing, the towers today are nearly 100 feet in height.37 The
two towers and central bridge are shown in Figure 13, while the
bridges on either side of the towers are not.
The structures on either side of the towers, so called venter
bridges, were added to reduce the pressure on the siphon by
elevating it. The purpose of the towers is less clear. They may
have been intended to reduce water hammer, further reduce
the pressure on the pipes, or possibly to remove air from the
siphons.38 They essentially built three separate siphons for the
system and the purpose for that can only be speculative at this
point. But whatever the reason, precise leveling prior to the
design would have been essential to the success of the project.
Figure 11. System of aqueducts in Rome proper at the time Frontinus was
Water Commissioner for the City.
Figure 13. Towers and venter bridges for the Aspendos aqueduct.
Drawing from Lanckoronski, 1890.
The system functioned for about 150 years and then was
destroyed around AD 300, in what some historians think was
probably a significant earthquake. Along with the aqueduct,
an important bridge was also destroyed. The Romans did not
rebuild the aqueduct, as it was severely damaged. Instead,
they used the dressed stones from the aqueduct to rebuild the
bridge.39
Optical instruments were obviously not available to the
surveyors. All the projects the surveyors undertook were done
by eye, with the most rudimentary of instruments. But, by what
ever means these projects were surveyed, they are a testament
to the skill of the Roman surveyors. The Romans undertook
works that would remain unequaled in Europe for nearly 1000
years.
At the time Frontinus was appointed Commissioner, only 9 of
the eventual 11 aqueducts supplying the city had been built.
Of these, the longest was the Aqua Marcia with a total length
of about 56 miles. It was built by the praetor Quintus Marcius
Rex, for whom it is named, between BC 144 and 140. Fifty miles
of the aqueduct were buried, the remaining 6 miles were above
ground on arcades, etc.
As Water Commissioner, Frontinus had a staff of engineers,
surveyors, clerks, and two crews of government workers totaling
700. These included inspectors, plumbers, masons, construction
workers, etc., supposedly dedicated to the system of aqueducts.
Instead he found that his predecessors had manipulated the
system for personal gain. His crews of laborers were largely
farmed out on the private business of others, money for the
water system was diverted to other uses, the aqueducts were
leaking and in disrepair and vast amounts of the public’s water
was stolen by private interests. The Commissioner moved
quickly to end this unnecessary waste of public resources. He
ordered the rights of way for the aqueducts cleared of trees and
brush and called for regular inspections be carried out. Repairs
were to be made during periods of low use, and the wholesale
theft of the water ended. Frontinus next requested as-built
maps for all the aqueducts coming into the city, sending the
agrimensores out to map nearly 270 miles of existing works,
most of it underground. From these, Frontinus was able, among
other things, to direct maintenance, calculate expected volumes
of water and anticipate demand.
While still in office, Frontinus once again turned his attention to
writing, this time describing Rome’s water system: De aqueductu
urbis Romae “On the Water Supply of the City of Rome”. This text
too was saved for posterity by Benedictine monks, this time at
the monastery at Monte Cassino, in central Italy.40 His methods
of determining volumes of water are flawed and difficult to
follow. However, the text demonstrates that the Emperor Nerva
and his successor Trajan, with the aid of talented professionals
like Frontinus, undertook aggressive programs to improve the
overall performance of the system. It also explains that some
aqueducts were designed to provide water to public places, such
as fountains and public distribution basins while others were,
for a fee, distributed to private interests.41 Frontinus may have
also been involved with the planning of the aqueduct that was
later begun by Trajan in AD 109.
Frontinus’ text reveals him to be conscientious and competent
in the administration of his office. He was the classic Roman:
rational and pragmatic. In him, Romans found a faithful public
servant who was dedicated to vigorously correcting the waste
and abuse that proceeded him and improving the quality of
life for all the citizens of Rome. That Frontinus was proud of
his water system can be seen from his own words: “With such
an array of indispensible structures carrying so many waters,
compare, if you will, the idle Pyramids, or the useless, though
famous works of the Greeks!”42
NSPS Report
By Paul Burn, PLS
Nevada NSPS Governor
G
reetings Surveyors! I hope this finds you well. The
detailed report of the recent Spring meetings of NSPS,
held in April in Gaithersburg, Maryland, will be
given in the next issue. I’d like to augment that future report
by Area 9 Director Carl C. deBaca with some comments here,
from a personal point of view. This session was special, in that
the 22 states that have executed their MOU with NSPS for
100% membership had their Governors seated on the Board of
Directors. Given that the NALS membership and leaders had
the vision to participate in this excellent program, I am now
your Governor and your Director. The additional responsibilities
that this entails will be pursued by me with enthusiasm, and
I hope to continue to serve you with the representation that
you expect at the national level. Since Carl still represents our
neighbor states of California and Hawaii as Director, I have an
extremely competent example to guide me with the functions of
this position. Those of you that know Carl would agree that he is
the ultimate professional in his execution of his duties, and his
tireless efforts set a high bar to attain.
So, in summary, I will function as Governor on the Western
States Governors Council (WSGC) and at the Board of Governors
(BOG). Then, I will function as Director on the Board of Directors
(BOD). Essentially, the Governor role is one in which issues are
discussed and solutions found, which are forwarded as motions
for action from the BOD. As time marches forward the methods
that have served NSPS for years may need to adapt somewhat
to the increasing number of states participating, thereby
increasing the number of Directors. It is already possible for a
state to elect a Governor and a Director, if they so desire, but
for the time being all states that are in the program are having
their Governor fill the Director role.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is an exciting time to be a surveyor.
The adaptation of your national organization to efficiently and
effectively deal with the issues of the present day is gratifying
to experience. When we have that discussion about professional
land surveyors in Nevada that don’t belong to NALS, thereby
leaving the tasks of serving our profession as well as we do our
clients, we now know that NALS members are also doing their
part supporting the profession nationally. I hope that more and
more Nevada surveyors become NALS/NSPS members as this
idea becomes more apparent.
Agrimensores continued from previous page
In AD 100, Frontinus was elected to the office of consul tertum,
an extraordinary honor for a man not born to a royal family.
He held as well the office of Augur. Many historians believe
that he held the position as Commissioner until his death in
AD 104, at about the age of 70. In a city filled with statuary
and monuments to its worthy citizens, what of a monument to
General Frontinus? “The expense of a monument is superfluous”
he said, “My memory will endure, if my life has merited it.”
Rome’s surveyors reshaped the landscape of the Empire; evidence
of their work is nearly everywhere in Rome’s former dominions.
The principles they developed survived the political, religious
and social upheavals that eventually brought down the Empire
and have come down through the ages to modern surveyors.
Even now, Rome’s legacy continues to have a lasting influence
upon the societies of the West. As for Frontinus, during his own
lifetime he was held in high regard by his fellow citizens, by the
Roman Army, and by five emperors, from Vespasian to Trajan.
1900 years on, his memory rightfully continues to endure.
(Endnotes)
27
ibid.
28
Hero of Alexandria was a 1st Century AD Greek mathematician and inventive engineer. He describes his construction of several surveying instruments including the dioptra, but they are not mentioned by any writers in the Corpus.
29
The Roman Land Surveyors, An Introduction to the Agrimensores, O. A. W. Dilke, 1971
30
The Career and Writings of Sextus Julius Frontinus, Murray K. Dahm, Univ. of Auckland, 1997
31
The Water Supply of Ancient Rome: A Study of Roman Imperial Administration, Christer Bruun, 1991
32
Surveying Roman Aqueducts, Richard Hucker, UK, FIG Congress 2010, Sydney, Australia
33
Roman Aqueducts, http://www.romanaqueducts.info, a very interesting and useful site for researching Roman aqueducts.
34
ibid.
35
Surveying Instruments of Greece and Rome, M.J.T. Lewis
36
Roman Aqueducts, http://www.romanaqueducts.info.
37
ibid.
38
Roman Aqueducts, http://www.romanaqueducts.info.
39
ibid.
40
The monastery was built in AD 529 by St. Benedict, the founder of the order.
During World War II it was occupied by German forces attempting to stem the
Allied advance up the Italian peninsula. It was completely destroyed by Allied air raids in February, 1944. The Germans were finally dislodged from the
ruins in May, 1944, at great cost in human lives. It was subsequently rebuilt Lastly, this may be my last column in this format. It may be after the war.
more effective to have the report of the meetings in the Traverse 41 The Aqueducts of Augustan Rome, How the waters from the aqueducts were U
in the form that you see in Carl’s report. Perhaps in the Traverse distributed within the City of Rome as planned out by Caesar Augustus, issues that publish in the interval between sessions, I can report
Andrew Weston, 2006
the progress of some of the items that are being pursued. As
42
with NSPS itself, we’ll see how the next months work out and Historical Encyclopedia of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Volume 1, Ari certainly find the most effective way to keep you informed. As Ben-Menahem
always, please contact me with any questions, thoughts, ideas or
suggestions that you’d like to see at the national level. I’d always
like to discuss those subjects, and will continue to do my best to
represent you to the best of my ability.
U
Nevada Association of Land Surveyors
P.O. Box 20522 • Reno, NV 89515
Ph: 775.624.6257 • www.nv-landsurveyors.org
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
2013
(Effective January 2013)
Name:
Firm/Employer:
Business Phone:
Mailing Address:
Fax:
City:
State:
Zip:
Home Phone:
Mailing Address is:
o Business
o Residence
Email:
Other Professional Registrations:
PLS Number (if applicable):
STATE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP: Add your Initiation Fee amount to
the Annual Dues amount and enter the sum in the TOTAL AMOUNT column.
o REGULAR MEMBER: Any person holding registration as a Professional Land Surveyor in
Initiation
Fee
$
25.00
$
$
25.00
$
$
25.00
$
$
the State of Nevada, residing in Nevada. (Includes NSPS membership.)
o REGULAR MEMBER, NON RESIDENT: Any person holding registration as a Professional
Land Surveyor in the State of Nevada and not residing in Nevada.*
o L.S.I. MEMBER: Any person holding a certificate as a Land Surveyor Intern in the State
of Nevada
o ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Any person who, in their profession, relies upon the fundamentals of land surveying and is sponsored by a Regular Member of the Association.**
o CORRESPONDING MEMBER: Any person holding registration as a professional land
surveyor in another state, and who desires to receive correspondence from the Association,
including The Nevada Traverse.
o STUDENT MEMBER: Any person who is a student in a college or university and is
actively pursuing a survey-related education, and is sponsored by a Regular Member of
the Association.**
o SUSTAINING MEMBER: Any individual, company, or firm who by their interest in the land
surveying profession is desirous of supporting the purposes and objectives of the Association.
Annual
Dues
155.00
$
______
115.00
$
______
$
60.00
$
______
25.00
$
60.00
$
______
25.00
$
60.00
$
______
0.00
$
25.00
$
______
195.00
$
______
10.00
$
______
$
$
50.00
$
$
o ADD REINSTATEMENT FEE (only if applicable)
CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP: Chapter membership is encouraged, but not
mandatory. To be a chapter member, you must also be a State Association
member. Find you chapter dues below by selecting the amount shown to the
right of your Membership Grade in the State Association.
o LAHONTAN CHAPTER: Northwestern Nevada (Reno/Carson)
(no charge for Student Members)
o GREAT BASIN CHAPTER: Northeastern Nevada (Elko)
o SOUTHERN NEVADA CHAPTER:
* This does not include membership and dues in
the National Society of Professional Surveyors.
Regular Members
Associate and L.S.I Members
Regular Members
Regular Members
$
$
$
$
$
$
35.00
15.00
30.00
20.00
35.00
20.00
TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE REMITTED:
**Associate and Student Member Applicants must be sponsored by a Regular Member of the Association.
Name of Sponsoring Member:________________________________________________________________
Applicant’s Signature:
Total
Amount
Date:
NALS ORDER FORM
NALS MEMBERSHIP ITEMS
Price
(Items for Sale to NALS Members Only)
NALS Logo Lapel Pin
$
NALS Logo Polo Shirt - Royal Blue, Dri - Fit with logo at left chest
$
Qty
TOTAL
5.00
25.00/$35.00
Please indicate size - S M L XL XXL XXXL XXXXL
Subtotal
NALS Logo Polo Shirt, sizes S – XL at $25 ea., Sizes XXL – XXXXL at $30 ea.
Please Note: Shipping Charge is $3.00 per item
Total Shipping Chrg
TOTAL
PAYMENT - by check or money order only

Check

Money Order
Make Checks/Money Orders Payable to: Nevada Association of Land Surveyors
Mail Order Form Along With Your Payment to : The Nevada Association of Land Surveyors
P.O. Box 20522, Reno, NV 89515
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address:_____________________________________________________________________________
City:________________________________________________________________ State:______Zip:_________
Questions? Call the NALS Office at: (775) 624-6257
ADVERTISER INDEX for this Issue
Advertiser
Page No.
Aerotech Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Rear Cover
Berntsen International, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
California Surveying & Drafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outside Back Cover
H&S Positioning Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Monsen Engineering Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover, 15
North American Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Surv-Kap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Trimble Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ADVERTISER HOT LINKS
To receive FREE information about products and services from advertisers featured in this
issue of The Nevada Traverse, you may log onto the NALS Web Page at www.nv-landsurveyors.
org, click on Nevada Traverse, and you will find a hot link to the web sites of all advertisers in
this issue. Using these links, you can go directly to the advertiser(s) of your choice for inquiries, to request catalogs, training schedules and information, or placing orders.
The Nevada Traverse
The Nevada Association of Land Surveyors
Editor: Terry W. McHenry, P.L.S.
NALS Central Office
P.O. Box 20522
Reno, NV 89515
NT ad 4.13_Layout 3 4/30/13 10:27 AM Page 1
Help Lower Your Costs,
Not Your Expectations.
Act Now and Save Big on Select
Designjet Printers from
HP’s #1 wide-format
distributor.
Exclusive savings for
Nevada Traverse subscribers only!
0% Purchase Plan for 24 months*
and Save Up To $1,500 on select models.**
Act now!
0th
3
y
a
M
s
d
n
e
fer
This oAnfold
slow printer can hold your business back.
702.489.8640
4977 W Diablo Dr. #101, Las Vegas, NV
Upgrade to a new HP Designjet printer and realize
your full potential. Imagine what more printing options,
faster print speeds, higher quality prints and up to 50%
lower printing costs could do for your business!
*OAC. You must mention this ad at time of order and you must purchase by 5.31.13.
**For purchases made before 6.30.13.
Providing Authorized Sales & Service to the Entire State of Nevada
Dispatched from our Locations in Sacramento and Las Vegas

the nevada traverse - The Nevada Association of Land Surveyors

Transcription

Similar documents

NEVADA BOB`S GOLF - Ideal Builders Inc.

flyer here

gardnerville office space

The History of Greater Nevada Credit Union

Spring 2011 - Civiltech Engineering, Inc.

WET `n` WILD WATERPARK - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

What is a parallelometer? - Artiglio