The LSAW Board of Directors met in Vancouver, WA on October 26, 2019. Below are the highlights from the third quarter.

  • The LSAW Fall Seminar Series was a great success. With almost 90 attendees, the fall seminar was held October 25-26 in Vancouver, WA. The seminar included one track for survey technicians and a second track for licensees. Technicians will have an opportunity to sit for the CST exam during the LSAW Conference.
  • Members are encouraged to continue monitoring the latest news section of the LSAW website under the resources tab. If you have current news you believe would be beneficial to the profession, please email info@LSAW.org
  • The Bylaws Committee received and reviewed the final set of chapter bylaws. The Board of Directors approved the chapter bylaws and authorized the Executive Director to move forward with a group exemption request to the IRS.
  • The Editor of the Evergreen State Surveyors (ESS) is working on the next issue which the membership will receive prior to the end of the year.
  • A membership survey will be sent in December. The Board of Directors will use the feedback provided in the membership survey to help form goals for the coming year.
  • The Budget & Finance Committee provided a draft 2020 budget which reviewed, amended, and adopted by the Board of Directors.
  • At the August meeting, the Board of Directors created an ad-hoc committee, chaired by Gary Letzring, to review the SAB’s Draft Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) model ordinance and report back to the Board of Directors at the October meeting. Gary reported receiving feedback from across the state. The ad-hoc committee is working to compile the feedback and will provide a recommendation for Board action at the next meeting.
  • The 2020 Conference will be co-sponsored by Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WestFed) and will be held at the Tulalip Resort & Casino on February 26-28, 2020.
  • The 2021 Conference will be held at the Hilton in Vancouver, WA on March 3-5, 2021. 
  • NGS is still seeking volunteers for the NGS Benchmark Project. Information regarding the benchmarks that still need to be observed can be found on the NGS website. For a direct link, visit the Latest News page on the LSAW website.
  • The Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BORPELS) is in the process of launching a new website. During the transition notices for license renewal may not be sent.
  • LSAW sponsored legislation for Survey Monument Preservation is moving forward. LSAW Legislative Committee Chair Jon Warren is working with the AELC (lobbying coalition) to introduce this legislation. A grass roots effort by the membership will be needed. Additional information will be provided at a later date. Jon has also volunteered to speak at Chapter meetings should a Chapter want additional information.
  • The Dig Law Committee reported that as of November 1, 2019, the pre-survey option will no longer be available and is being replaced the “Design Locate Request” which does not guarantee underground facilities will be marked with paint. Each request will be handled differently with alternate acceptable solutions being markings, maps and/or GIS information.
  • Prevailing Wage Committee Chair Ben Petersen reported that a new rate went into effect on October 12, 2019.
  • NSPS elections will be held in December. There are three candidates running for Vice President one of which is Amanda Allred who is currently living in Washington and has served as Director the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors. Amanda has received a recommendation letter from Washington NSPS Director, Jim Coan (Click here to view letter).
  • 2020 LSAW Officers were elected as follows
  • Donald Wieber, President (by succession)
  • Jeff Lynch, President-Elect
  • Chris Jepson, Vice President
  • Lynee Forsyth, Secretary (1st Year of Second Term)
  • Andy Doan, Treasurer (2nd Year of First Term)
  • Kate Schalk, Immediate Past President (by succession)