APPENDIX
3.11.A
Background Information on the Public Land Survey System
Introduction
All lands in the public domain are
subject to subdivision by a rectangular system of surveys called
the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), established and regulated by the
Bureau of Land Management. The original public domain
includes the land ceded to the Federal Government by the Thirteen Original
States, supplemented with acquisitions from native Indians and foreign
powers. It encompasses major portions of the land area of 30 western
States.
Under Congressional mandate, cadastral surveys of public lands were undertaken
to create parcels suitable for disposal by the Government. The PLSS
was developed for this purpose. The PLSS is a rectangular survey
system that typically divides the land into 6-mile square townships, which
are further subdivided into 1-mile square sections. The extension
of the rectangular system of surveys over the public domain has been in
progress since 1785. These surveys form the basis of patents issued
when public lands pass out of Federal ownership.
Certain lands were excluded from the public domain and not subject to survey
and disposal. These lands include the beds of navigable bodies of
water, national installations such as military reservations and national
parks, and
areas such as land grants that had already passed to private ownership
prior to subdivision by the Government.
Data describing the PLSS is required by Federal surface and mineral management
agencies, as well as any organization concerned with land ownership in
the 30 western States that were formed from the public domain.
Additionally, many agencies have encoded natural resource or environmental
inventory data based on the PLSS.
The Rectangular System of Surveys
The rectangular system of surveys was devised
to subdivide public domain lands. It divides the land into townships
6-mile square by north and south
lines that run according to the true meridian and by others crossing the
north and south lines at right angles. Townships are, in turn, subdivided
into sections of, as nearly as possible, 640 acres by parallel lines that
run
east to west and south to north at 1-mile intervals. Corner monuments
are
placed along all lines as they are surveyed at 1/2-mile (quarter-section)
intervals. The monumentation is intended to establish a permanent
marking
of the lines and to fix the corner positions so that the location of the
surveyed lands can always be definitely known.
With respect to the ideal rectangular plan, a survey of the public lands
is
accomplished by establishing, in order, the following:
Independent initial point
This is the point from which
the survey of the principal meridian
and base line, controlling the
survey of the public lands in a
given area, is initiated.
There are 46 separate surveys in the
nationwide system. Of
these, only eight in Ohio and Indiana
(commenced between 1785 and
1805) have no initial point as
defined.
Principal meridian
This is a line extending north
and south along the astronomic
meridian passing through the
initial point. It serves as the
origin for the survey of township
boundaries along the parallels.
Base line
This is a line extending east
and west along a true parallel of
latitude passing through the
initial point. It serves as the
origin for the survey of meridional
township boundaries.
Standard parallels (correction lines)
These are auxiliary governing
lines that extend east and west from
the Principal Meridian, generally
at intervals of 24 miles (four
townships) north and south of
the base line. In many surveys run
before 1850, correction lines
were run at intervals of 30, 36, or
60 miles. Standard parallels
are used to take up error in the
rectangular plan caused by the
convergence of meridians.
Guide meridians
These are auxiliary governing
lines that are projected north from
points established on either
the base line or standard parallels,
generally at intervals of 24
miles east and west of the principal
meridian. Guide meridians
terminate at the point of intersection
with another standard parallel.
Township exteriors
These are lines surveyed at
6-mile intervals that conform to
meridians and parallels within
established limits. Meridional
township boundaries (range lines)
are run from south to north and
terminate at the point of intersection
with a standard parallel.
Latitudinal township boundaries
(township lines) are run from east
to west through corners established
on the meridional lines.
Townships are numbered to the
north and south commencing with
number 1 at the base line, and
with range numbers to the east and
west commencing with number
1 at the principal meridian. The
township number is used in conjunction
with the range number to
indicate the coordinates of
a particular township with respect to
the initial point.
Subdivision of townships
The south and east boundaries
of a township are normally the
governing lines of subdivisional
surveys. Meridional section
lines are initiated at the section
corners at the south boundary
of the township and are run
north parallel to the east boundary.
They are not continued north
beyond a section corner until the
connecting latitudinal section
lines have been surveyed.
Latitudinal section lines are
run west to east parallel to the
south boundaries of the respective
sections. Any fractional
measurement is placed in the
north or west 1/2 mile of the
township. A normal township
is divided into 36 sections numbered
commencing with number 1 in
the northeast section of the township,
proceeding west to section 6,
then south to section 7, then east
to section 12, and so on, to
number 36 in the southeast section.
Half townships may be created
in instances where the distance
between the regular position
of township boundaries is so great
that the application of normal
rules of subdivision would result
in sections elongated in excess
of 120 chains (7,920 feet).
Half ranges may be created in
instances where the distance between
the regular position of township
boundaries is so great that the
application of normal rules
of subdivision would result in
sections elongated in excess
of 120 chains (7,920 feet).
Subdivision of sections
Subdivision of sections into
aliquot parts or irregular lots is
controlled by the previously
established section and
quarter-section corners.
This subdivision may be accomplished by
field methods or protracted
on the official plat.
Subdivision lines and corners are shown on quadrangle maps, usually to
the
section level with some quarter section corners shown, to the extent that
their positions can be determined from evidence on the ground. During
field
work, enough corners are located to accurately position the network of
public
land lines from official plats. Although the PLSS is mapped to meet
National
Map Accuracy Standards, its depiction is not intended to be official or
authoritative; it is presented as useful reference information. The
only
legal basis for determining land boundaries remains the original survey.
Survey Corners
Survey corners are points on the surface of the Earth that represent
extremities of a subdivision of the public lands, generally at the
intersection of two or more surveyed lines. The classification of
a corner
describes the relative corner location, type of survey, or the controlling
aspects of the corner. A survey corner is identified by unique symbology
or
labeling on the map only when the monumented point has been recovered in
the
field.
The following is a list of the types of survey corners found on USGS
quadrangle maps:
Angle point
This is a point on a survey
where the alignment or boundary
deflects from a straight line.
Amended monument
A survey monument whose position
no longer marks the true position
for the corner, but which is
connected by course and distance to
the new corner. There
are two primary applications of amended
monuments: (1) If another
survey such as a mineral survey,
homestead entry, small holding
claim, or right of way or reservoir
survey has been tied to a monument
that has been found to be out
of position, the monument is
marked "AM" and connected by course
and distance to a new, correctly
positioned monument, and (2) If
a recovered closing corner is
not at the true point of
intersection of the line it
is closing to, a new monument will be
placed at the true point of
intersection and the old monument will
be marked "AM" and connected
by course and distance.
Land grant or other special survey corner
A monumented point on a land
grant, tract, donation land claim,
U.S. Survey, Homestead Entry
Survey, or Indian Allotment.
Meander corner
The beds of navigable bodies
of water are not public domain and
are not subject to survey and
disposal by the United States. At
every point where a section
line intersects the banks of such a
feature, a meander corner is
established, and a metes and bounds
traverse, called a meander line,
is run to segregate the water
area from the public lands.
Meander lines are not mapped.
Quarter-section corner
Quarter-section corners are
found at the extremity of a
quarter-section boundary, theoretically
located halfway (40
chains) between section corners.
Normally, quarter-section corners
are not searched for or plotted
unless there is a bend in the
line at the corner or the section
corners on either side cannot
be recovered.
Section Corner
A section corner is established
at the extremity of a PLSS section
boundary, where two or more
section lines meet or cross. It is
surrounded by one or more distinct
sections.
U.S. Mineral Monument and U.S. Location Monument
This is a monumented reference
for one or more mineral surveys or
for an isolated special survey.
The monument is established
during surveys of the irregular
boundaries of mining claims when
no public land corners have
been established in the vicinity.
When the public land surveys
are subsequently extended to the
area, the mineral monument is
tied to a regular section corner.
This type of monument may also
be used in any situation where no
corner of an existing survey
is available to provide a
satisfactory connection for
an isolated special survey. In most
cases a the monument does not
fall on a public land line.
Witness corner
A witness corner is established
if the true corner cannot be
marked in the usual manner because
of obstructions or difficult
terrain. It is located
on the section line within 10 chains (660
feet) or anywhere within 5 chains
(330 feet) of the actual corner.
Normally, only one witness corner
is established in each instance.
For example, a witness corner
is commonly established on secure
ground when the true position
of a meander corner falls at a point
where the monument would likely
be destroyed by the effects of
tide, waves, or ice.
Witness point
This is a monumented point on
a survey line marking an important
location remote from and not
related to a regular corner (for
example, a road or stream crossing).
Survey Lines
Survey lines in the PLSS category represent the build up of the land net
from
the section corners whose monuments have been recovered in the field.
The
accuracy of the section lines depends on the relative accuracy and density
of the recovered section corners.
Solid lines connect reliable section corners and represent survey lines
plotted to meet National Map Accuracy Standards (40 feet at the 1:24,000
scale). Dashed section lines connect questionable section corners
and
represent survey lines that do not meet National Map Accuracy Standards,
but
are plotted within 200 ft at 1:24,000-scale.
The Bureau of Land Management has defined protracted land lines for all
areas
of Alaska not yet subdivided by ground surveys and some other areas in
the
continental United States. The unsurveyed land lines represent theoretically
perfect subdivisions. Protracted land lines have been shown as solid
gray
lines on Alaska quadrangle maps. The current symbol for protracted
land
lines is a solid red line. The protracted land lines for all suspended
and
unsurveyed townships in the conterminous United States are not shown at
the
1:24,000 scale unless they are provided by the Forest Service for portrayal
on quadrangle maps produced through the single edition initiative.
Protracted land lines are shown by dashed red lines on 1:100,000-scale
maps.
Land lines may be omitted from maps in public land States when they have
not
been established by survey or where there is insufficient field evidence
to
position the land net to established standards. A note in the map
margin
explains the reason for the omission.
Survey Areas
The States within the public domain contain a variety of surveys, such
as
land grants, lands subdivided by rectangular surveys, and lands subdivided
by special surveys. Specific types of survey areas within the public
domain
that are shown on USGS quadrangle maps are:
PLSS Area
An area of land that was part
of the original public domain and
which was subject to subdivision
by the Public Land Survey System.
The PLSS is a rectangular survey
system that typically divides the
land into 6-mile square townships,
which are further subdivided
into 1-mile square sections.
Homestead Entry Survey
A Homestead Entry is an entry
under the U.S. laws for the purpose
of acquiring title to a portion
of the public domain under the
Homestead laws. A Homestead
Entry is a metes and bounds survey
entered under the Act of June
11, 1906 as amended. Homestead
Entries are not mapped unless
they define the limits of the land
net.
Donation Land Claim
Tracts of land, 320 or 640 acres
in size, were allocated to
settlers in the Oregon Territory
(Oregon and Washington) who had
resided on and cultivated the
land for 4 years under the Donation
Act of September 27, 1850; to
settlers in Florida under the Act of
August 4, 1842; and to settlers
in the New Mexico Territory (New
Mexico and Arizona) under the
Act of July 22, 1854. These tracts
were part of the original public
domain and were surveyed prior to
the rectangular surveys.
Donation Land Claims are not mapped
unless they define the limits
of the land net.
Land Grant
A land grant is an area of land
to which title was conferred by a
predecessor government and confirmed
by the U.S Government after
the territory in which it is
situated was acquired by the United
States. These lands were
never part of the original public domain
and were not subject to subdivision
by the rectangular surveys.
Private Extension of the Public Land Survey
The term "private" refers to
any public land survey not performed
by or contracted by the Bureau
of Land Management. They include,
for example, Bureau of Indian
Affairs surveys on Indian lands.
These areas are also assigned
origin of survey, township, range,
and section number parameters
as appropriate.
Tract
The term tract is used to mean
a parcel of land that lies in more
than one section or cannot be
identified in whole as part of a
particular section. Tract
boundaries are not mapped unless they
define the limits of the land
net.
United States Survey
A metes and bounds survey executed
to comply with one of various
regulations for entry of public
lands in Alaska. U.S. Surveys are
not mapped unless they define
the limits of the land net.
Indian Allotment
An allocation of a parcel of
public lands or Indian Reservation
lands to a native American for
his or her individual use in the
lower 48 States. Indian
Allotments are not mapped unless they
define the limits of the land
net.
Irregular Rectangular Surveys in Ohio and Indiana
Figure
3.11.A-1 (State of Ohio land subdivision names)
The rectangular system of surveys was in its initial stage of development
when the State of Ohio was surveyed, beginning in 1785. Because the
current
system of principal meridians and baselines was not yet established, the
Ohio
surveys used a number of different reference meridians and base lines.
Eight public land surveys were conducted having no initial point as an
origin
for both township and range numbers. These include seven surveys
in Ohio and
one in Indiana. They commenced between 1785 and 1805, a period when
the laws
prescribing the subdivision of the public domain were in flux. Although
rectangular in nature, these surveys do not strictly conform to the current
plan.
Within several surveys, townships depend on crooked rivers for base lines.
This causes offsets in the township tiers and irregular sequences of
numbering. In addition, the subdivision of townships is not consistent.
The
current system of numbering sections within a township was not adopted
until
passage of the Land Act of May 18, 1796. Prior to this time, the
original
Ordinance of May 24, 1785, applied, in which sections were numbered
commencing with number 1 in the southeast corner of the township, proceeding
north to section 6, then continuing with section number 7 in the southernmost
section of the next column to the west, and proceeding north to section
12,
and so on, to number 36 in the northwest section.
Public land surveys in Ohio are identified by the survey name. These
surveys
are listed in the table of "Public land surveys having no initial point
as
an origin" in Chapter III of the BLM book entitled "Manual of Surveying
Instructions." The table further describes the references used for
the set
of townships within the survey. Following is a brief description
of each of
the public land surveys in Ohio:
Ohio River Survey
The Ohio River is the base line
(origin of survey) for these
surveys. Townships are
numbered north from the Ohio River, and
ranges west from the Ohio-Pennsylvania
boundary (Ellicott's Line).
The Ohio River Survey consists
of three separate areas:
o Old Seven
Ranges - The first rectangular survey was begun in
1785 with the establishment of a point of origin on the
north bank of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Pennsylvania
boundary and the running of a line westward for 42 miles
(seven ranges). This line is termed the Geographer's Line.
Ranges 1 through 7 of the Ohio River Survey, south of the
Geographer's Line, are referred to as the Seven Ranges, or
the Old Seven Ranges. Sections in this area are numbered
according to the Ordinance of 1785 as described above.
o Congress
Lands East of Scioto River - This area includes the
land west of the Seven Ranges, east of the Scioto River, and
south of the U.S. Military District, except for the large
Ohio Company tract, which lies in the southeast. Sections
within the Congress Lands are numbered according to the
present system. The Refugee Lands lie within the Congress
Lands East of the Scioto River, at the northernmost
extremity; the exterior boundaries of the Refugee Lands are
labeled. Three small areas along the Scioto River,
including the western portion of the Refugee Lands, are
based on the Scioto River rather than the Ohio River.
o Congress
Lands North of Old Seven Ranges - This includes all
the lands north of the Seven Ranges and the U.S. Military
District and south of Connecticut's Western Reserve, except
for the two townships in the Muskingum River Survey.
Sections are numbered according to the present plan.
Maps of the Ohio River Survey
area contain a marginal note: "Land
lines based on the Ohio River
Base." Marginal notes also identify
the Seven Ranges and the Congress
Lands. The Geographer's Line
and the boundaries of the Congress
Lands are labeled on the maps.
Ohio River Base - Indiana
In this area of southeast Indiana,
townships are numbered north
from the Ohio River, and ranges
west from the Ohio-Indiana
boundary and its projection
south. The area is bounded on the
north and west by the Greenville
Treaty Line.
Between the Miamis, North of Symmes Purchase
The Great Miami River is the
origin of survey for these surveys.
Townships are numbered east
from the Great Miami River, and ranges
are numbered north from
the Ohio River. Sections are numbered
according to the Ordinance of
1785. This represents an extension
of the system used in the private
survey of the Symme's Purchase
Tract. This area is also
called the Congress Lands East of the
Miami River. It is bounded
on the northeast by the Virginia
Military Survey. Marginal
notes on maps of this area identify
that land lines are based on
the Great Miami River Base and that
the area lies within the Between
the Miamis. The north and south
boundaries of the area are labeled
on the map.
Muskingum River Survey
This area consists of only two
townships, within the Congress
Lands North of the Old Seven
Ranges and bounded on the north by
the Connecticut Western Reserve.
Townships are numbered 1 and 2
north, and the range is 10 west.
The range continues the
numbering of the Ohio River
Survey. A marginal note identifies
the specific townships that
are based on the Muskingum River Base.
Scioto River Base Surveys
The Scioto River is the base
line of the following surveys, which
are part of the Congress Lands
East of the Scioto River. (The
remainder of the Congress Lands
East of the Scioto River are based
on the Ohio River.) Townships
are numbered north from the Scioto
River, and ranges west from
the Ohio-Pennsylvania boundary,
continuing the numbering of
the Ohio River Survey.
o First Scioto
River Base - This is the southernmost of the
three small surveys at the western edge of the Congress
Lands east of the Scioto River. It contains townships
numbered 1 through 4 north, and range 22 west. The standard
plan for numbering sections is disrupted at the Scioto
River, that is, if section 2 is the last section on the top
tier of a township, the section below it (on the next tier)
is number 3. This area is bounded on the south by the
Scioto River (Chillicothe East 1:24,000-scale quadrangle),
on the east by range 21 west of the Ohio River Survey, on
the west by the Scioto River, and on the north by the Second
Scioto River Base (Asheville 1:24,000-scale quadrangle).
o Second Scioto
River Base - The survey contains townships
numbered 2 through 5 north, and range 22 west. (Township 5
north, range 22 west of this survey is part of the Refugee
Lands.) Sections are numbered according to the standard
plan. The area is bounded on the south by the First Scioto
River Base (Asheville 1:24,000 quadrangle), on the east by
range 21 west of the Ohio River Survey, on the west by the
Scioto River and the Third Scioto River Base (Southwest
Columbus quadrangle), and on the north by the U.S. Military
Survey.
o Third Scioto
River Base - This survey contains only a single
township: township 1 north, range 23 west. Sections are
numbered according to the standard plan. It is bounded on
the south and west by the Scioto River, on the east by the
Second Scioto River Base Survey, and on the north by the
U.S. Military Survey (Southwest Columbus 1:24,000-scale
quadrangle).
Twelve-Mile Square Reserve
This small area in northwest
Ohio consists of only four townships,
numbered 1 through 4.
There is no associated range number.
Exterior boundaries of the area
are labeled.
West of the Great Miami
The Great Miami River is the
base line for this survey. Townships
are numbered north from the
Great Miami River, and ranges east
from the Ohio-Indiana boundary.
This area is also called the
Congress Lands West of the Miami
River. It is bounded on the
north by the Greenville Treaty
Line.
U.S. Military Survey
Townships are numbered from
the south boundary of the U.S.
Military Tract, and ranges west
from the west boundary of the
Seven Ranges. This area
is subdivided into 5-mile square
townships; sections are numbered
1 to 25. Section numbering
follows the present plan, commencing
with number 1 in the
northeast corner of the township,
to number 25 in the southwest
corner. Some townships
are divided into quarters, which are
numbered 1 to 4 beginning with
the northeast quarter and
proceeding counterclockwise.
These areas are treated as sections
for digitizing purposes.
In general, each area is completely identified on the published map as
the
situation warrants, by labels within survey areas and along survey lines
and
by marginal notes that identify the base line or meridians.
Private Surveys in Ohio
The State of Ohio also contains several large tracts of land that were
excluded from the public domain. Two large areas were claimed by
existing
States: the Connecticut Western Reserve, and the Virginia Military
District.
Two additional tracts were sold to private concerns: the Ohio Company
Purchase and Symmes Purchase. These areas were subdivided by private
surveys. The following are the major private surveys in Ohio that
are shown
on USGS quadrangle maps:
Connecticut Western Reserve
This area in northwestern Ohio
was divided into 5 square-mile
townships and irregular tracts
by the Connecticut Land Company.
Townships are numbered north
from the southern boundary of the
reserve, and ranges west from
the Ohio-Pennsylvania boundary. In
the western portion of this
area (the Firelands), townships were
divided into quarter townships,
which are numbered 1 to 4,
commencing with 1 in the southeast
quarter and proceeding
counter-clockwise. These
areas are digitized as sections. In the
eastern portion, only township
and range lines are mapped. The
boundaries of the Connecticut
Western Reserve are labeled in black.
Virginia Military District
This area was surveyed according
to the laws of the State of
Virginia. It does not
conform to the rectangular system. Land
lines are not shown within this
area. The boundaries of the
Virginia Military District are
labeled. The area may be labeled
on the map as Virginia Military
Reservation or Virginia Military
Survey.
Ohio Company Purchase
This area in southeastern Ohio
was subdivided by private surveys.
Land lines are mapped as dotted
lines. The Ohio River is the base
line for these surveys.
Townships are numbered north from the
Ohio River, and ranges west
from the Ohio-Pennsylvania boundary,
continuing the system of the
Ohio River Survey. Sections are
numbered according to the Ordinance
of 1785. There are many
irregularities in the subdivisions,
and these irregular lots are
not mapped. The boundaries
of Ohio Company lands are labeled.
Symmes Purchase
The
Great Miami River is the base line for the private surveys of
this area. Townships are numbered
east from the Great Miami River
and ranges north from the Ohio
River. Ranges 1 and 2 are
duplicated in the southern portion
of the area. The first
occurrence is labeled "F.R."
(Fractional Range). Sections are
numbered according to the Ordinance
of 1785. The Between the
Miamis public land survey continued
the numbering adopted in the
survey of this tract.
The north boundary of Symmes purchase is
labeled.