Point on the ground whose position (horizontal or vertical) is known and can be used as a base for additional survey work.

coordinates

Linear and (or) angular quantities that designate the position of a point in relation to a given reference frame.

coordinates, origin of

Points in a system of coordinates which serves as a zero point in computing the system’s elements or in prescribing its use.

culture

Features constructed by man that are under, on, or above the ground which are delineated on a map. These include roads, trails, buildings, canals, sewer systems, and boundary lines. In a broad sense, the term also applies to all names, other identification, and legends on a map.

Points of established position or elevation, or both, which are used to fix references in positioning and correlating map features. Fundamental control is provided by stations in the national networks of triangulation and traverse (horizontal control) and leveling (vertical control). Usually it is necessary to extend geodetic surveys, based on fundamental stations, over the area to be mapped, to provide a suitable density and distribution of control points. Supplemental control points are those needed to relate the aerial photographs used for mapping with the system of ground control. These points must be positively photoidentified; that is, the points must be positively correlated with their images on the photographs.

Representation of a portion of the navigable waters of the Earth and adjacent coastal areas on a specified map projection and designed specifically to meet requirements for marine navigation. Included on most nautical charts are depths of water, characteristics of the bottom, elevations of selected topographic features, general configurations and characteristics of the coast, the shoreline (usually the mean high water line), dangers, obstructions and aids to navigation limited tidal data, and information about magnetic variation in the charted area.

Science and art of making maps and charts. The term may be taken broadly as comprising all the steps needed to produce a map: planning, aerial photography, field surveys, photogrammetry, editing, color separation, and multicolor printing. Mapmakers, however, tend to limit use of the term to the map-finishing operations, in which the master manuscript is edited and color separation plates are prepared for lithographic printing.

Survey relating to land boundaries, made to create units suitable for title transfer or to define the limitations of title. Derived from “cadastre” meaning a register of land quantities, values, and ownership used levying taxes, the term may properly be applied to surveys of a similar nature outside the public lands, such surveys are more commonly called “land surveys” or “property surveys.”

Cited from (http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/kockelman/public_html/TRB04ROW.pdf)

By Jared D. Heiner

Right of way (ROW) acquisition for highway and transportation projects can be very expensive and time consuming. The federal government spent nearly one billion dollars for ROW in fiscal year 1999, at an average federal cost of $36,400 per parcel (FHWA, 2003). States and local agencies spent $1.8 billion in the same year, on projects subject to federal acquisition regulations. An additional $100 million in federal and state funds was paid to displaced business and property owners for reestablishment and relocation assistance (FHWA, 2003). The federal totals represent approximately 4 percent of total federal funding for highways in 1999 (AASHTO, 2002). Accurate ROW cost estimation can be key to project budgeting and completion.

Texas ROW administrators report a number of challenges routinely encountered in ROW cost estimation (Kockelman, anticipate the extent of takings based on limited information. Second, administrators often have limited time to prepare estimates, thus restricting the amount of research that can be undertaken for complex parcels. Third, they typically prepare ROW estimates several years in advance of actual ROW acquisition, during which time significant inflation and speculation can occur, resulting in property and damage appreciation. Administrators (both urban and rural) report that this time interval is typically three years, but it may stretch to seven years in some cases (Kockelman, et al., 2003). First, early estimates are based on planning-level maps, so project administrators mustet al., 2003). These factors can easily combine to bias ROW cost estimates low.

Cited from (http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/kockelman/public_html/TRB04ROW.pdf)

By Jared D Heiner

Feel free to email me at mboyd@pinnaclegroup.biz if you have any questions regarding mem-bership, need your information changed on our chapter website, never received a badge with your name on it, or if you just want to email me.

ANSWER: One law that did pass involves pipelines and public rights of
way. This involves pipeline routing. The Texas Department of Transportation revised its prior policies and decided to oppose pipelines (existing or new) along public rights of way. H.B. 2572 (Gonzales-Toureilles,
D-Alice) establishes that oil and gas operators can install pipelines and gathering lines along a public road, railroad, railroad right-of-way, municipal road, canal, or stream. The bill also stipulates that if a pipeline must be moved (e.g., due to road construction), the state must cover the cost of the
move if the operator owns the pipeline easement. Likewise, if the state owns
the easement, the operator must pay to move the line.

Another significant law that passed involved Eminent Domain. The eminent domain process in Texas has received significant attention in the past three years, especially in North Texas and the Barnett Shale. Refining the eminent domain process was a priority for Gov. Rick Perry and it consumed considerable energy from a diverse coalition of industry and public entity representatives. As a result of a collective effort, the Legislature passed House Joint Resolution 14 (Corte, R-San Antonio), which calls for a
constitutional amendment that prohibits a governmental entity from condemning a property primarily for the purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues. However, for various reasons, the
Legislature failed to pass comprehensive eminent domain reform legislation. Thirdly, through negotiations and input from various interest groups, the Legislature also passed a bill to crack down on so called “bad actors” who attempt to influence land negotiations by inappropriately threatening the use of eminent domain. H.B. 3346 (Farabee, D-Wichita Falls) makes clear that if any non-utility or right of way agent for the non-utility indiscriminately threatens eminent domain, that entity stands to lose its non-utility status.