Page 17 - NYSAPLS 2026 Conference Journal

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026 The Law of Boundary Lines and Legal Doctrines of Repose
NY LS/PE: 4.0; NH 1.0; VT 4.0; NJ 4.0
Morning Sessions Laura E. Ayers, Esq.

8:30am – 12:30pm
Terrain Modeling from Survey Point Data This course will cover the legal aspects of boundary line law,
NY LS/PE: 1.5; NH .25; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5 including the doctrines of repose, such as adverse possession
Margaret McMenamin, PE, CFM and practical location. Learn how established boundary lines
8:00am – 9:30am can differ and be controlling over the recorded legal description
This class examines the creation of Digital Terrain Models, or of the property. Understand how the strong public policy that
Surfaces, with an emphasis on producing highly accurate models favors stability and consistency in real property matters prevents
as efficiently as possible from survey data. The class reviews overturning long-standing property lines based upon recent
the storage of survey point data in an external Local Survey surveys or recent claims. The legal principles to be covered
Database, adding that point data to the Civil 3D interface, and support the idea that the law should not disturb reality nor benefit
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using that point data to create a surface. The class will examine someone with unclean hands, especially when it could cause
how breakline data can be created from point data and included in significant hardship on those who have relied upon the established
a Surface, using not only Civil 3D tools but from other solutions, boundary.
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including Carlson and SmartDraft . The course will also include
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the assessment of survey accuracy and surface presentation via Researching Highway Boundaries using NYS DOT
styles. Record Plans
NY LS/PE: 1.5; NH .25; VT 1.5; NJ 1.5
NYS Exam Application Preparation Charles E. Hathaway, LS
NY CE: n/a 10:30am – 12:00pm
Eric Greppo, PE In this course, I will talk about why I developed a GIS project in
8:00am – 9:30am Region 6 to locate record plans. Show a new record plan project
This course is intended for prospective land surveyor licensure that I developed this year for Steuben County, using the DOT
applicants and land surveyor professionals interested in best Record Plan Portal, and how I use that project. We will also discuss
nurturing future professionals on their team. It is critical that how to use the record plans in determining what acquisition
applicants clearly and thoroughly understand the criteria and maps are needed and how to use them with the record plans. We
processes associated with the application for NYS Professional will discuss some of the value of Key Maps, and NYSDOT Official
licensure in Land Surveying. This course discusses, in an informal Orders, along with why you should ask for them. Along with
& participatory format, communication, organization, and describing a bit of the history of the highways in the subject area.
expression of experience on licensure applications. It reviews the
current regulatory requirements, forms, and submission processes How to Study and Prepare to Pass the LS Licensing Exam
necessary for successful application. Attendees of this session NY CE: n/a
will garner a better sense of what is required when applying for Richard C. Brooks, LS; Caegen Burnett, LS, and Ian Garland, LS
licensure, the importance of good, clear, and concise writing skills, 10:30am – 12:00pm
and understand why comprehending instructions, seeking help, This presentation has been designed to assist both the pre-
and networking are all critical success factors. licensee preparing to take the exam and the licensed Land
Surveyor mentoring that individual. Speaker Rick Brooks co-
Surveyor Reports – Concepts & Applications presents the LS Exam Review Workshop with Dr. Joseph Paiva.
NY LS/PE: 4.0; NH 1.0; VT 4.0; NJ 4.0 Speaker Caegen Burnett has recently been licensed and Speaker
Gary R. Kent, PS Ian Garland just finished the process of being accepted to sit
8:30am – 12:30pm for the exam. Both will share their experiences detailing the
Several states, like Pennsylvania and West Virginia, encourage a successes and hardships. Through open discussion, all three
Surveyors Report: Indiana law requires one. Many surveyors are speakers will interact with the attendee’s offering advice and
considering the benefits of using Surveyors Reports, but most guidance. This presentation will give the attendee insight enabling
have not written one. The concept of a Surveyor’s Report has been him/her to develop their best practices to achieve the success they
the topic of a number of published articles and columns over the seek. Our goal is to help you apply once, successfully, and pass
years. In this program, we will review the purpose of a Surveyors the exam the first time.
Report, outline possible and important content, discuss how a
Surveyors Report might be formatted, provide suggestions, and
review examples from complex to typical and simple.

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