2025 Pub. 17 Issue 2

Accurate plats and surveys are the backbone of property ownership and development. They tell us where our land begins and ends, where easements run, and where future roads and utilities will go. In Utah, the process of preparing and recording subdivision plats is governed by a combination of statutes, professional standards and best practices designed to protect property owners, developers and the public.

Utah has long been at the forefront of geospatial innovation, and that tradition continues with the recent creation of the Utah Geodetic Advisory Committee, a new subcommittee of the GIS Advisory Council (GISAC). Officially established in August 2025, the committee was formed to address the growing need for coordinated leadership on geodetic policy, standards and best practices in our state.

The Standards and Ethics Committee meets every fourth Thursday at 5:00 pm at Meridian Engineering, located at 1628 W. 11010 S., Ste. 102 in South Jordan, Utah.

NSPS has been busy behind the scenes, and recent town hall meetings have provided a clear view of the momentum building across the surveying profession. From marketing breakthroughs to legislative victories, the monthly director town halls and quarterly state executive town halls are helping to align national efforts with state-level priorities, including those here in Utah.

The Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WFPS) Board of Directors met on Oct. 10, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. The productive meeting showcased the ongoing collaboration between our 13 western states — from shared legislative insights to academic initiatives and professional outreach. As always, WFPS remains a powerful platform where ideas are exchanged, challenges are addressed and the surveying profession is strengthened across state lines.

The generation of surveyors who saw large field crews and parties is rapidly diminishing. The introduction of technologies like EDM devices has allowed large crews to be reduced to a typical size of three people. The advent of additional technologies such as GPS and robotic total stations has impacted crews even more, creating default one-person crews. We may send people out in pairs for safety reasons, but the fact is that most of the work that used to take many people no longer does.

The UCLS Standards and Ethics Committee is pleased to announce the release of the updated Corner Record Guide, now available on the UCLS website. This revised guide features new templates, examples and a fillable form, designed to simplify and standardize your monument documentation process.

UCLS asked its membership to weigh in on Utah’s current requirements for licensure as a public land surveyor (PLS). The insights gained from the survey results will inform discussions and decisions regarding the future of professional land surveying education and licensing in Utah.

The UCLS Legislative Committee has been meeting monthly and continues to track the changes to boundary line adjustments and boundary line establishments. There are reports that title companies and some county recorders are experiencing difficulties in recording documents. We ask the membership to report any issues to us so we can work with the land use authority to further train or support anyone experiencing problems.

Establishing a comprehensive and well-constructed Agreement, commonly known as a contract, is vital in professional and legal interactions. Such Agreements serve as the foundation for clear, enforceable arrangements that withstand legal scrutiny, protecting the interests of all involved parties. They facilitate mutual understanding, define responsibilities and streamline dispute resolution processes, which are essential for maintaining professional integrity and operational efficiency.

Planning for the 2026 joint conference has been underway since May, with the committee making steady progress. The schedule is nearly finalized, pending a few final confirmations. CFeds training with Glen Thurow has been secured. The conference will feature four tracts and a diverse set of topics, with keynote speakers including Kris Kline, Gary Kent, Garrett Smelker and Logan Campbell. The schedule will be posted on www.ucls.org.

Planning for the 2026 Western Regional Survey Conference is underway, and momentum is building for what promises to be a standout event. Scheduled for March 18-21, 2026, at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the conference will bring together professionals from across the region for four packed days of education, networking and celebration of the surveying profession.

In today’s fast-evolving construction and development environment, the term “surveyor” has unfortunately begun to lose the distinct professional meaning it once held. While the title “professional engineer” is legally protected in Utah — restricted by statute to licensed individuals under UCA 58-22-305 — the term “surveyor” has not received the same consistent protection in practice. Although “professional land surveyor” and “land surveyor” are also legally protected titles under the same law, the general use of “surveyor” has become diluted, often applied to technicians or field workers regardless of licensure. This informal use of the title has weakened public understanding of the distinct legal responsibilities held by licensed professional land surveyors. It is now frequently applied to technicians, drone operators or others without the necessary licensure or qualifications.