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e-NEWS JUNE 2023

IN THIS ISSUE...

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
PASSING OF PETER BINZ, PLS 9462
BISHOP UNION HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE WINS LOCAL TRIG-STAR COMPETITION
WHERE IN CA IS THIS?
BPELSG - Official Notice and Agenda - June 2023
BPELSG - Meeting Materials - June 2023
BPELSG - Delay in licensee renewal reminder notices and pocket certificates
NGS Webinar
CLSA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Qfactor's New Feature, Tasklist, Modernizes Operations for Land Surveyors
2023 WOMEN SURVEYORS SUMMIT
IN THE NEWS

Dear CLSA Members,

Prepare for Fire and Earthquakes - Stay Safe, California Land Surveyors!

As the President of the California Land Surveyors Association (CLSA), I want to take a moment to remind all of our dedicated members to prioritize their safety, as well as that of their families and field crews. With the recent news of over 400 forest fires currently blazing in Canada, it is crucial that we prepare ourselves for the possibility of similar challenges here in California.

As many of you are aware, our fire season typically begins in the late summer and early fall. However, the unpredictability of wildfires demands that we now remain vigilant and proactive year-round. We cannot stress enough the importance of taking necessary precautions and being prepared for any eventuality. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of ourselves and those around us.

To assist you in your preparedness efforts, we strongly encourage all CLSA members to take the following steps:

Stay Informed: Regularly monitor local news, weather updates, and official announcements from authorities such as CAL FIRE and local emergency management agencies. Awareness is key in effectively responding to potential threats.
Create Emergency Kits: Assemble comprehensive earthquake and fire preparedness kits for your home, office, and field crews. These kits should include essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, protective clothing, communication devices, and copies of important documents.
Develop an Emergency Plan: Ensure that you and your family have a well-defined plan in place for various emergency scenarios, including evacuation routes and meeting points. Practice drills regularly to familiarize everyone with the procedures.
Maintain Clear Communication Channels: Establish a reliable communication network with your field crews, colleagues, and loved ones. This will facilitate prompt updates, coordination, and support during critical times.
Safeguard Your Equipment and Data: Protect your surveying instruments, records, and digital data by keeping backups in secure locations. Consider utilizing cloud storage or off-site backups to ensure the preservation of vital information.
Foster a Culture of Safety: Encourage a safety-first mindset within your teams and reinforce the importance of adhering to established safety protocols. Provide training opportunities and resources to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities.

Remember, preparedness is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment to our own well-being and the preservation of our profession. By proactively preparing for fire and earthquake scenarios, we can mitigate risks, protect lives, and continue to serve our communities with resilience.

Stay safe, stay informed, and take the necessary steps to safeguard yourselves, your families, and your field crews. Our collective preparedness will enable us to face any challenges that come our way.

Kevin Hills, PLS

President, CLSA

PUBLICATIONS

The 2023 SMA, PLS Act and Roster Books are now shipping!

2023 Complete Package with DVD

2023 PE Act and PLS Act with Board Rules

2023 Subdivision Map Act & Index

CLICK HERE

ARTICLE & PHOTO SUBMISSIONS FOR CALIFORNIA SURVEYOR MAGAZINE

Do you have a photo from your field work that would make a great magazine cover? Do you have an idea for an article or have you written an article that you'd like us to consider including in the next issue? Please send your submissions and ideas to CLSA Headquarters, clsa@californiasurveyors.org.

NSPS - STOLEN EQUIPMENT REGISTRY

Reminder - NSPS provides a registry of stolen equipment.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

COURTHOUSEDIRECT.COM

Offers a $.07 per page discount and will automatically donate $.10 per page to CLSA when members download courthouse documents through this website. These instruments include Deeds, Easements, Rights-of-Way, Releases, Liens, etc.

The Education Foundation was established in 1993 and is committed to supporting land surveying students and programs. Last year over $40,000 in scholarship aid was provided to land surveying students. Your monetary and surveying equipment donations are appreciated! CLICK HERE to learn more about the Education Foundation.

CLSA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

If you have not already renewed your CLSA membership, please do so now. And be sure to invite others to join our great organization. Your membership supports CLSA’s efforts to protect, enhance and grow the land surveying profession. Members receive free monthly webinars, discounts to the annual conference and from our affinity partner organizations, as well as membership in the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) for representation and advocacy at the national level.

RENEW HERE

Qfactor's New Feature, Tasklist, Modernizes Operations for Land Surveyors

Future Surveyors Foundation

2023 WOMEN SURVEYORS SUMMIT

Oct 19-22, 2023

Stillwater, MN

4th Women Land Surveyors Summit. The Women Surveyors Summit, hosted by Future Surveyors Foundation is held to support and promote diversity in the land surveying profession. There are 8-10 PDH’s available.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@futuresurveyors.org.

LEARN MORE

PASSING OF PETER BINZ, PLS 9462

Peter Binz, PLS 9462, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Peter served as CLSA San Joaquin Chapter President, Secretary and was their current Treasurer. He’d also served as an Alternate Director on the CLSA Board of Directors for the last several years. Services will be held on Friday, June 16^th. Further details are provided via this link: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/clovis-ca/peter-binz-11315456 . A GoFundMe has been set up to support Peter’s wife. Here is that link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-binz-family

WHERE IN CA IS THIS?

The May “Where in CA is This?” was of course the Tulare Airport as viewed from northbound Highway 99. The aircraft pictured are an F-4 Phantom and a B-17 Flying Fortress.

This was always a welcome sight to me as a child on family road trips, although in those days the “Tulare Bee” sat alone.

We had several winners last month, but far fewer than I expected. Mauro Weyant, PLS was first to respond. He recognized the location due to many trips up and down the 99. Bryan Borum, PLS, a solo practitioner in Grover Beach was next to get his “moment in the sun.” Jeffrey Gutierrez, PLS, President of the DeWalt Corporation in Bakersfield also recognized the site. Wrapping up the winners was Ventura County Surveyor Dan Walsh, PE, PLS. One incorrect response was the Castle Air Museum, which is a great place to visit to break up those long drives on Highway 99.

Try to identify the location of this month’s photo. Please tell me how you identified the location.

Submit answers to: Rob McMillan.

BPELSG - Official Notice and Agenda - June 2023

The Official Notice and Agenda for the June 8-9, 2023 meeting of the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is now available. Please click on or copy and paste the following URL address into your browser.

BPELSG - Meeting Materials - June 2023

The meeting materials for the June 8-9, 2023 meeting of the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists are now available. Please click on or copy and paste the following URL address into your browser for more information.

BPELSG - Delay in licensee renewal reminder notices and pocket certificates

The Board has been alerted to another technical outage resulting in a delay in the mailing of licensee renewal reminder notices and pocket certificates. Renewal notices are typically sent to the licensee address of record approximately 60 days before expiration date. HOWEVER the renewal reminder notice is not necessary to renew a license. Licensees who do not receive a renewal notice can use BPELSG Connect to submit license renewals. Licensees are eligible to renew a license if it expires within the next 60 days. It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure that the license is renewed within the statutorily required timeframe regardless of receiving a renewal reminder by mail or not.

Use BPELSG Connect to complete your license renewal: You are eligible to renew your license in BPELSG Connect if your license expires within the next 60 days, or if your license has been delinquent less than two (2) years. If your license has been delinquent for more than two (2) years you will not be able to use BPELSG Connect, and you will need to submit your renewal on the License Renewal Request Form.

See BPELSG License Renewal Information for more information related to license renewal requirements and instructions for creating a BPELSG Connect account and renewing a license online.

Department of Consumer Affairs maintains an online DCA LICENSE SEARCH tool for use in verifying the status of a license. Use this online search tool to verify a license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for the professions listed under license type. Each license record will reflect if a license is current, expired, or has been subject to disciplinary action like suspension or revocation. Licensees are encouraged to either use BPELSG Connect or the DCA LICENSE SEARCH tool to verify the status of their license and/or receipt and processing of their renewal payments.

Click links below for more info:

NGS Webinar -- NGS Partner Panel Session: Discussion of the Benefits and Challenges of Transitioning to the Modernized NSRS

June 22, 2023 | 2:00-3:30 pm, ET

Panelists:

Jan Van Sickle, Principal Scientist R&D, Maxar Technologies
Linda Foster, Global Manager, Land Records/Cadastre, Esri
Brian Fisher, Registered Land Surveyor, Central Arizona Project
Davey Edwards, Sr. Project Manager, Baseline | DCCM

As NGS prepares to launch the first alpha products for the 2025 release of the modernized National Spatial Reference System, we have invited four distinguished members of the geospatial community to join us for a discussion about the benefits and challenges they see for transitioning to the new system. NGS recognizes that it will take users both time and resources to make the transition and update their surveying and mapping workflows. We are, however, confident that the benefits derived from using the more accurate and consistent reference systems will be well worth the investment. We are not asking you to take our word for it, but we are inviting you to come talk it over with some of our stakeholders and commercial partners.

PUBLICATIONS

The 2023 SMA, PLS Act and Roster Books are now shipping!

2023 Complete Package with DVD

2023 PE Act and PLS Act with Board Rules

2023 Subdivision Map Act & Index

CLICK HERE

ARTICLE & PHOTO SUBMISSIONS FOR CALIFORNIA SURVEYOR MAGAZINE

NSPS - STOLEN EQUIPMENT REGISTRY

Reminder - NSPS provides a registry of stolen equipment.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

COURTHOUSEDIRECT.COM

CLSA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

RENEW HERE

Qfactor's New Feature, Tasklist, Modernizes Operations for Land Surveyors

Future Surveyors Foundation

2023 WOMEN SURVEYORS SUMMIT

Oct 19-22, 2023

Stillwater, MN

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@futuresurveyors.org.

LEARN MORE

BISHOP UNION HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE WINS LOCAL TRIG-STAR COMPETITION

On Wednesday, April 26, Bishop Union High School (BUHS) students competed in the 2023 Trig-Star competition, a contest based on the practical application of trigonometry. Sophomore Alyssa Buchholz, daughter of BUHS math teacher Diedre Buchholz, secured first place with a score of 94 on her test after results were announced on Friday, May 12. She finished the exam in 24 minutes, 47 seconds, earning the fastest time in the local competition at BUHS and fifth place statewide. Her first-place local win merited a cash prize of $150.

WHERE IN CA IS THIS?

The May “Where in CA is This?” was of course the Tulare Airport as viewed from northbound Highway 99. The aircraft pictured are an F-4 Phantom and a B-17 Flying Fortress.

This was always a welcome sight to me as a child on family road trips, although in those days the “Tulare Bee” sat alone.

Try to identify the location of this month’s photo. Please tell me how you identified the location.

Submit answers to: Rob McMillan.

BPELSG - Official Notice and Agenda - June 2023

BPELSG - Meeting Materials - June 2023

BPELSG - Delay in licensee renewal reminder notices and pocket certificates

See BPELSG License Renewal Information for more information related to license renewal requirements and instructions for creating a BPELSG Connect account and renewing a license online.

Click links below for more info:

NGS Webinar -- NGS Partner Panel Session: Discussion of the Benefits and Challenges of Transitioning to the Modernized NSRS

June 22, 2023 | 2:00-3:30 pm, ET

Panelists:

Jan Van Sickle, Principal Scientist R&D, Maxar Technologies
Linda Foster, Global Manager, Land Records/Cadastre, Esri
Brian Fisher, Registered Land Surveyor, Central Arizona Project
Davey Edwards, Sr. Project Manager, Baseline | DCCM

IN THE NEWS...

WEST VIRGINIA SURVEYORS SHOW JMHS STUDENTS INS AND OUTS OF THE JOB

The occupation of land surveyor has been around in the United States since the Founding Fathers. A group of local surveyors spent Wednesday at John Marshall High School showing students there different facets of the job, in hopes of spurring a few of them to one day join their ranks.

Many who hold the job of land surveyor are reaching retirement age, said Marshall County Surveyor Jim Ruckman, who also works for Cerrone and Associates. The average age of licensed professional surveyors is approaching 60 years old, he said. “We’re just trying to promote the profession,” Ruckman said.

Various classes congregated in front of JMHS on Wednesday to see demonstrations from several local county surveyors. They learned not just the history of profession, but also the present and the future.

That present and future includes levels of technology that many of the surveyors demonstrating the machines didn’t have when they started their careers. The professionals showed the students old-school tools like surveying chains that were put to use years ago. They also demonstrated the newest tools of the trade, including global navigation satellite system receivers and drones that can measure thousands of yards at a time, compared the the couple hundred feet a chain can measure.

Realizing the advanced level of technology in the surveying field could be the carrot that entices a high school student to look at the job, Ruckman said.

“These young kids are so tech-savvy,” Ruckman said. “They’ll find it much easier to use this stuff. Technology has tremendously helped our field of endeavor. It’s made our work much easier.”

Students in West Virginia can study surveying without leaving the state’s borders. Ruckman said Fairmont State, Glenville State and Bluefield State universities all have surveying curriculum. JMHS senior Cody O’Donnell said that what he saw Wednesday opened his eyes to the occupation.

“I think this is pretty neat,” O’Donnell said. “I like to be outside, and that really helps, since a lot of this is outside. I just like working with land, and I think this is all really neat.”

CHARTING A COURSE FOR SUCCESS: SOLDIER IS ASC'S ONLY GEOSPATIAL ENGINEER

Sgt. 1st Class Lisa Tavai Knight is the only person throughout the U.S. Army Sustainment Command (ASC) doing what she does. In fact, she is the only uniformed person in the U.S. Army Materiel Command performing this job as well. So, what does Sgt. 1st Class Knight do? She is a senior geospatial engineer — she provides maps and other materials that are critical to ASC and AMC support in exercises and operations worldwide.

“I never thought I would be doing what I do now. I enlisted in the Army on a whim and 13 years later, I create and design maps and geographic products that are a vital part of the planning and decision-making process,” said Knight, who works in the Intelligence Support Element, G2 (Intelligence and Security).

“I chose this career path because I could gain skills that would help me transition to civilian sector because in my mind, I wasn’t going to stay in more than the initial four years.”

Knight’s duties include providing timely and accurate terrain analysis products in order to support ASC’s overall mission from command to staff to support elements, and aiding personnel to visualize and understand their specific area of operations better.

NOAA NGS / NSPS COMPETITION INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO THE PAST

To attract potential future practitioners, Jacob Heck and others recently revamped the 20-year old national student surveying competition offsite link to be mainly a hands-on, in-the-field experience. This year, that meant surveying for guide points around the Capital’s monuments. Students were given extra points for coming in period-specific costumes as a way to emphasize the long history and legacy of the work.

ANNETTE HOVORKA, PLS STARTS AS SENIOR PROJECAT SURVEYOR AT MARK THOMAS

Congratulations to Annette Hovorka who recently started her new role as a Senior Project Surveyor at Mark Thomas in their Sacramento office. Annette retired from a career in state employment holding various positions in Caltrans, the Department of Water Resources, and concluding at Caltrans. Hovorka was previously a Sacramento CLSA dynamo serving as Secretary, Vice-President and President as well as LS Review Facilitator, Newsletter Editor and CLSA Director. At the State CLSA level, Annette served through the Executive Committee chairs and as BPELSG Liaison.

RYAN JACKSON, PLS STARTS NEW POSITION AS SENIOR SURVEYOR AT NV5

Jackson is a Graduate of Fresno State University, where he was active in the CLSA Student Chapter serving as Chapter President. As mentioned previously in the eNews, he has returned to his alma matter as a part-time adjunct lecturer. He previously worked for Precision Civil Engineering and Q-K. Congratulations Ryan, on your new role.

JEDIDIAH GIBSON, PLS RETURNS TO R.E.Y. ENGINEERS

Jedidiah Gibson, a PLS in CA, NV and WA is returning to R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. as a Remote Sensing Project Manager/Chief Pilot. Gibson apprenticed with MacKay & Somps Civil Engineers, Inc., then worked as a Party Chief for the City of Sacramento. He left the glamour of public employment to work for R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. later escaping the golden state for work in Salem, OR with David Evans and Associates. Welcome back to Sacramento Jedidiah!

CONGRATULATIONS DIAMONDBACK LAND SURVEYING ON 15 YEARS OF SUCCESS!

The announcement in the company’s LinkedIn page begins: “Fifteen years ago, Diamondback Land Surveying was born out of a vision—a vision to create a company that would redefine excellence in the land surveying profession. Today, we stand proud, having transformed that vision into a reality. Over the years, we have not only shaped the landscape of our industry but also forged lasting relationships with our cherished clients, supportive friends, and invaluable employees.”

CUDAHY, WI MAN STRUCK AND KILLED BY VEHICLE WHILE DOING SURVEYING WORK

The Wisconsin State Patrol says a 42-year-old Cudahy man was struck and died following a crash around 10:20 a.m. on Friday, June 9, on WIS 60 at I-41 in Washington County near Slinger. State patrol says the crash involved a box truck, and a Toyota Camry. State patrol says the driver of the Camry pulled out in front of the truck, driven by a 30-year-old Slinger man, and was struck by the truck. During this time, the 42-year-old Cudahy man was standing on the median at the intersection, conducting surveying work. The Cudahy man was struck and suffered fatal injuries at the scene.

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