Survey monuments are the physical cornerstones of our land tenure system. These markers—often metal rods, pipes, or concrete posts—precisely define property corners, boundary lines, and geodetic control points. They are the tangible evidence of property rights, road right-of-ways, and utility easements. Land surveyors serve as the stewards of these critical markers, and their preservation is essential to protect both public and private property rights during any ground-disturbing construction activity or disaster clean-up and recovery. When a survey monument is disturbed, covered, or destroyed, the legal and physical definition of a boundary is lost. This can lead to costly disputes, construction errors, and legal challenges. Preserving survey monuments ensures the integrity of our land tenure system and provides certainty for all parties involved.
Here are links to some helpful papers and resources with their full PDF downloads:
