Page 16 - NYSAPLS 2026 Conference Journal

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026 Navigating Article 15 Actions in Property Disputes
NY LS/PE: 1.5; NH .25; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5
Afternoon Sessions Taylor Way, Esq.

4:00pm – 5:30pm
Gunter’s Chains and Oak Plains: Original Land Survey This course will provide land surveyors with a comprehensive
Records as Historical Ecological Data overview of Article 15 “Quiet Title” actions under the NY Real
NY LS/PE: 1.5; NH .25; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5 Property Actions and Proceedings Law (“RPAPL”). Participants will
Stephen Tulowiecki, PhD learn about the legal framework for resolving property ownership
1:30pm – 3:00pm disputes, including boundary line disagreements. The presentation
Original land survey records of circa 17th-19th centuries are will cover the purpose of quiet title actions, procedural aspects of
an indispensable source for geographers, ecologists, and other litigation, and special considerations for land surveyors involved
researchers who study past forested landscapes. This course in these cases. Recent legal developments and their impact on
covers the uses of these records – particularly surveyor “field property dispute resolution will also be discussed.
notes” – for historical forest reconstruction. Researchers have
used these records to map past forest communities, understand National Certified Survey Technician (CST) Accreditation
the geographical ranges of now-threatened tree species, NY CE: n/a
comprehend the extent of Native American land management Richard C. Brooks, LS
upon forests, and reveal relationships between tree species or 4:00pm – 5:30pm
communities with soil and climate conditions. This course will also Whether you are an active Certified Survey Technician (CST), a
provide advice on locating surveyor field notes from collections, technician who wants to be a step above your peers or a business
and how to map such records using historical and modern data owner looking for a program to instill professionalism in their
sources within GIS software. technicians or just looking for another competitive advantage to
win a bid, this program will be of value to you. This awareness
Basic Mathematics for Surveying Technicians level program will introduce the attendee to the program history,
NY LS/PE: 0.0; NH 0.0; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5 the multiple career paths available to our technicians and the
Richard Carlson, LS exam application process. Testing techniques will be explored,
1:30pm – 3:00pm and attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop to log into and
Basic mathematics related to surveying will be presented. Topics explore various CST informational and training sites. Attendees
include geometry/trigonometry, bearings/azimuths, scale factors will participate in a discussion of the return on investment a firm
and horizontal/vertical curves. Attendees will work through can expect by offering this program to their survey and office
problems using a scientific calculator. The focus will be on useful technicians. Sample questions will be reviewed, and the answers
techniques for field/office calculations and FS Exam problems. worked through.
Please bring a scientific calculator to this session.
The Benefit of Subsurface Utility Engineering for Site/
Are Land Surveyors Using GNSS Methods Consistently? Civil Design Projects
NY LS/PE: 1.5; NH .25; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5 NY LS/PE: 1.5; NH .25; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5
Kevin Hanley, PLS Kenneth Kerr, PE
4:00pm – 5:30pm 4:00pm – 5:30pm
This presentation will provide summaries of various methods in This presentation explores the critical impact of unknown
use by Land Surveyors in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, underground utilities on site and civil engineering projects across
Pennsylvania, and overseas. The results of GNSS observations diverse sectors, including commercial developments, healthcare
using these various methods will be presented and discussed. facilities, educational campuses, industrial sites, airports, federal
The presentation will also address the need for consistency as properties, and highways. It highlights how unidentified utilities
promulgated by local best practices and the responsibilities to can cause significant schedule delays and costs overruns due to
meet the requirements of professional liability. extended waiting times for utility relocations, design modifications
during construction, and resulting contactor claims and change
orders. The session will demonstrate how subsurface utility
engineering, performed by qualified professionals, effectively
mitigates these risks by providing accurate utility mapping. This
enables designers to plan appropriately by accommodating,
relocating, or designing around existing underground
infrastructure, ultimately ensuring smoother project delivery.

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