General Discussion https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/topics.aspx?forum=158940 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:56:24 GMT Thu, 28 May 2020 14:47:59 GMT Copyright © 2020 Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors Floodplain Pilot Project on Datum Modernization https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1553646 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1553646 This is a link to the Floodplain Pilot Project Link dealing with Datum Modernization and FEMA maps

 

The effect of Modernizing the National Datums on Floodplain Mapping:

file:///F:/Floodplain_Pilot_Project_Final.pdf

 

]]> Thu, 28 May 2020 15:47:59 GMT District meetings https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1300594 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1300594 ]]> Thu, 22 Sep 2016 17:57:50 GMT New State Surveyor https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1190430 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1190430 The Arkansas Division of Land Surveys is pleased to announce that John M. Thornton of Hot Springs, Arkansas has been appointed as State Surveyor.

He is a native Arkansan, residing in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  John holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Minor in Math and commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from Arkansas Tech University.  After graduation, John attended officer basic training and upon completion returned home and joined Company A, 489th Combat Engineer Battalion, US Army Reserve. Upon completion of service as Company Commander and serving with the 489th Battalion, he joined the 122nd ARCOM division as a Major and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before leaving his 20 year military career. He began his survey career in 1974 and he became a licensed Professional Surveyor in 1979 and has maintained continuous licensure since that time.
 
During thirty-six years of Professional Surveying he spent thirty-four years at B & F Engineering, Inc. in Hot Springs, Arkansas and the last six years as Branch Survey Manager with Garver, LLC. 
 
John has been involved in every facet of surveying that includes research, fieldwork, deliverables for cadastral, topographic, control and hydrological surveys.  He has performed and managed survey work for construction staking for various forms of infrastructure such as bridges, streets, highways, drainage, utilities, levees, and parking lots.
 
His clients have ranged from individual property owners, to large corporations, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  During his span of work, the Arkansas Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors has received no professional complaint of any form.
 
John possesses another important credential, as a Certified Floodplain Manager, licensed through the Arkansas Floodplain Management Program of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.  He has used that knowledge to assist the City of Hot Springs, and Garland County with floodplain management activities.  This activity requires the navigation of a complex set of rules and procedures required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program. John is considered an authority among his peers on matters related to elevation certifications for the National Flood Insurance Program.
 
A substantial portion of John's time has been volunteered to the Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors.  His involvement with the State's Surveying Society has ranged from thirty-six years of continual membership, to service as chairman of several committees, he served on the Board of Directors, served as President, and currently serves as the Legislative Committee chair.  The Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors provided their unanimous endorsement of his candidacy for this position.
 
On John’s appointment, Shelby Johnson, State Geographic Information Officer said, “I am excited we have John in place to lead the Division into the future.  Everett Rowland laid a good foundation with his years of service and I have no doubt that John will usher in some new ideas and progress on this work.  I’m looking forward to his success and the chance to learn from his experience."
 
Arkansas Governor, Asa Hutchinson, said, “I’m very excited to welcome John Thornton as our new State Surveyor.  John’s qualifications and expertise have well-prepared him for this role.  I know that he will be a great asset to the state of Arkansas.” Thornton and Johnson are scheduled to meet with the Governor in the coming weeks to review future plans for the Division.   The State Surveyor position and the Division of Land Surveys were created in 1973, with the mission to preserve the Public Land Survey System in Arkansas.  The previous State Surveyors are Rayford Hudson, Cotton Green and Everett Rowland.  Thornton becomes the fourth person to have held the title of State Surveyor since 1973. ]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 22:17:57 GMT George West has passed https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1185682 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1185682 I knew George when he was working with AHTD, below is a link to Mr. West obit.

 

http://www.northlittlerockfuneralhome.com/m/obituaries/George-West-9/Memories

]]> Tue, 5 Jan 2016 13:15:46 GMT State Surveyor Report 11/18/2015 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1170411 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1170411 The committee for selecting the new State Surveyor are

Ivan Hoffman -Member from the  Board of Registration & Land Advisory Board

David Hall - Member from the Land Advisory Board

Lanny Beavers - Member from ASPS

Shelby Johnson - Department Head AGIO office

  

On Tuesday 11/17/2015 the committee interviewed two applicants and plan to interview more next week.  The goal is to have a new State Surveyor by Jan 1, 2016.  Feel free to call me at 501-352-8892 or 501-537-3418 if you have any questions.

 

Thanks,

 

Lanny

]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2015 14:34:53 GMT Louisiana Purchase Celebration October 16 & 17 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1156850 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1156850 Kudos to Jonathan Hamner, Charlie Story, Bill Ruck, Jim Tadel, Michael Daniels, Spencer Thomas, and Danny Boyett for organizing the ASPS contribution to the Louisiana Purchase Celebration, October 16 and 17. Lots of team work and contribution to a positive image for our profession. See you at the initial point.

Did anyone else notice the grievous error on the Louisiana Purchase Exhibit of the UAM School of Forestry and Natural Resources linked to the ASPS website? In the lead paragraph it states: "In 1815, a land surveyor named Prospect Robbins began walking north from the mouth of the Arkansas River. At the same time, a second surveyor, Joseph C. Robbins, began a trek west from the mouth of the St. Francis River. Poor Joseph C. Brown, he gets no respect - the Osage Indians stole his horses back in 1816 and now this!

]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:22:34 GMT Search for Next State Surveyor Begins https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1151793 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1151793 Following an illustrious career spanning several decades, Everett Rowland, Arkansas’ State Surveyor will retire from public service at the end of this year. The need to search for  the next State Surveyor to lead the Division of Land Surveys begins.

Act 8 of 2015 First Extraordinary Session of 2015 changed the law guiding the appointment of the State Surveyor. It requires consultation between the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, the Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors and the Arkansas GIS Board.  A panel representing these organizations convened and is beginning the search process.

 

Job Announcement and Application Detail (printable)

Governing Law

STATE SURVEYOR JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB SUMMARY

The State Surveyor is responsible for carrying out the duties pursuant to Arkansas Code 15-21-205.

These include performing administrative and supervisory work in planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Division of Land Survey.  Duties include supervision of professional and clerical staff; oversight and management of a monumentation program focused on restoring, maintaining, and preserving the land survey monuments established by the United States Public Land Survey; providing safe storage facilities for recordation of plats and United States Public Land Survey corner monument certificates; and other duties outlined in Arkansas Code § 15-21-205.  This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS

Manages peers and others with survey projects. Generates detailed technical specifications for major equipment items to be purchased through the Office of State Procurement. Writes status reports for staff and management detailing major project progress and any technical anomalies. Interface with the press and public as necessary to inform and educate regarding agency Services. Monitor and report state or federal legislative activities that pertain to Land Surveying.  Serve as a hiring team member when requested, interviewing candidates and recommending new hires. Review surveying division staff performance, counsel as necessary in job related issues, and writes and reviews annual performance evaluations. Trains and guides personnel on job related skills as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned. Additional functions for the State Surveyor are pursuant to Arkansas Code 15-21-205.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices. Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating/maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business manuals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to prepare and/or present written communications that pertain to controversial and complex topics. Ability to complete field surveys; prepare plats and boundary descriptions; field notes, computer and software skills, and other supporting documentation.  Knowledge of Arkansas laws pertaining to land and surveying procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The formal education equivalent of an associate degree in a related field; plus three years of experience in the related area, including one years in a supervisory capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Seven years of professional survey experience with three years of supervisory experience in professional surveying work.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Licensed as an Arkansas Professional Land Surveyor

COMPENSATION

Salary range of $65,000 to $73,125 based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits include a competitive group health and life insurance plans and other select benefits. Compensation during time off for eleven state and national Holidays. Sick and annual paid leave policy, with hours accrued through service.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

October 23, 2015

Send Cover Letter and Resume to:

Division of Land Surveys-Arkansas GIS Office
1 Capitol Mall STE 6D
Little Rock, AR 72201
Or email to Kami Sharp [ kami.sharp@arkansas.gov ]

I thought the Board had removed LAND from our title.

With the application deadline falling between the 17th's Bicentennial  Extravaganza and the 29th's ASPS Fall Short Course, there doesn't seem to be enough notice or time for discussion.

Things happen pretty fast in the GIS world.

DDSM

]]> Fri, 2 Oct 2015 13:27:32 GMT Gov. Hutchinson details issues of special legislative session. https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1111618 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1111618 Gov. Hutchinson also wants lawmakers to pass several government efficiency items on his list, which would combine four government offices into four other already existing offices. Hutchinson says the move could save taxpayers $10 to $12 million dollars over five years.

 

“In managing government, small things matter and can add up,” said Hutchinson.

 

Gov. Hutchinson wants to merge the Division of Land Survey into the Arkansas Geographic Information Office. The plan also calls for merging Arkansas Building Authority into Department of Finance Management Services and merging Arkansas Department of Rural Services and Arkansas Science and Technology Authority into Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

AGENCY MERGERS

The governor also is asking the Legislature to consider merging the Arkansas Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Also targeted for consolidation are the Arkansas Building Authority with the Department of Finance and Administration and the Land Survey Division with the Arkansas Geographic Information Office.

A state Department of Finance and Administration preliminary estimate of the proposed reorganization shows that 19 positions could be eliminated immediately with total immediate savings of $1.4 million and that 15 positions could be eliminated through attrition with possible total savings of $1.08 million, according to a department document obtained under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

I can hardly wait,

DDSM

]]> Thu, 21 May 2015 20:22:47 GMT Digital Elgin & Knowles Book Location https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1032255 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1032255 I read on a forum that there was a "legal" digital copy of "Legal Principles of Boundary Location for Arkansas" by Richard L. Elgin and David R. Knowles. I know that the book is not in publication any longer, but I was hoping someone out there, would be able to point me in the direction of obtaining a copy of the book. I e-mailed the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands, but I never got a response.

 

]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:05:54 GMT New Forum? https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=694946 https://www.arprofessionalsurveyors.com/forums/posts.aspx?topic=694946 I guess this is something new...

Where did the old posts go?

DDSM

]]> Tue, 7 Jan 2014 21:53:03 GMT