SECTION 6 - MONUMENTATION

6.1 Monumentation

The placement of boundary markers distinguishes boundary surveying from all other forms of surveying and makes land surveyors professionals in their own right - a fact that is recognized by statute.

Setting
Boundary corner markers should
whenever possible, be composed of ferrous or other material detectable by an electromagnetic locator, of substantial length and width, and
be placed solidly, to minimize the likelihood of disturbance.
Boundary corner markers should be set
in sufficient number to make the boundary apparent to anyone who has reason to know their location, and
in a manner consistent with the rules of construction (boundary analysis).
Identification
Markers found or set should be conspicuous to anyone who has reason to look for them, and identified as boundary markers.
The practitioner who placed the markers should be identifiable by inspection of the markers in the field.
Commentary:

6.1 This subsection is not meant to apply to natural markers, such as trees, streams, and roads, or to previously set markers. Nor is it meant to be applied to surveys that do not require the placement of corner markers, such as mortgage/inspection surveys, title surveys, or permit-related surveys. It is incumbent upon the surveyor to know the various requirements regarding monumentation.

6.1(a)(1) This section does not obligate the practitioner to replace existing markers that may be damaged or disturbed, although their replacement is advisable.

6.1(a)(1)(A) The composition, length and width of markers is determined either tacitly by common practice in a given area, or noted in writing by ordinances and other specifications , and should be appropriate to the circumstances.

6.1(a)(2)(A) This includes adjoiners and other land surveyors, in addition to the land owner, unless the client requests otherwise for reasons of prudence or safety. Reference markers or ties to permanent structures are advisable for easy retracement.

6.1(a)(2)(B) Rules of construction, sometimes taken to be rules of law or rules of evidence, form the backbone of the land surveyors’ practice. In general, rules of construction are rules for clarifying the intent or meaning of a document. In surveying, they are rules for resolving ambiguities in legal descriptions and inconsistencies in monumentation. Mostly they specify superiority: record monuments over undocumented monuments, physical monuments over measurements, and direction over distance; provided, however, that their application does not violate the evident intent of the conveyance or lead to absurd consequences.

6.1(b)(1) Prudence and safety must also be considered in making any markers conspicuous. The client should be notified of differences between use and record lines before making them obvious to anyone else.

6.1(b)(2) A metal or plastic cap with the surveyor’s name and license number (or other means of identification as they become available) will meet this standard.