11088_PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF RESURVEYS: 2009 BLM MANUAL - 8 hr. course

This course material is completely free to download.

Simply follow the prompts to add it to your cart and proceed through checkout. You’ll be asked to provide basic contact information (name, phone, and email), but no payment is required — it’s 100% free. Completing the checkout ensures that you’re added to the Land Pro Seminars email list for updates, announcements, and new course releases.

Land Pro Seminars

Florida Board of Professional Surveyors & Mapper Approved Continuing Education Provider, License #CE-53.

Florida Board of Professional Engineers Approved Continuing Education Provider, License #CEP-252.

11088_PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF RESURVEYS: 2009 BLM MANUAL – CORRESPONDENCE

Course Description:

This correspondence course examines the principles and practical guidance for conducting resurveys under federal authority, as outlined in Chapters V, VI, and VII of the 2009 Manual of Surveying Instructions (BLM Manual). Professional land surveyors will learn how to properly identify, evaluate, and reestablish original survey boundaries through accepted federal resurvey principles. The course emphasizes the hierarchy of evidence, restoration methods, procedures for dependent resurveys and independent resurveys, and the practical considerations that must be observed in the field. The course integrates key theoretical concepts with real-world examples, including a case from Florida that highlights the challenges of interpreting original survey evidence in resurvey contexts.

  Course Summary

Course Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Define and differentiate between dependent and independent resurveys under the PLSS.
2. Apply the legal principles that govern the restoration of lost or obliterated corners.
3. Identify the evidentiary hierarchy used in resurveys and assess the reliability of physical and testimonial evidence.
4. Explain the process for restoring aliquot part corners using regular and irregular boundary methods.
5. Apply proper procedures for recordation, documentation, and marking during resurvey operations.
6. Evaluate and discuss a real-world Florida case that required a boundary resurvey under conflicting records and physical evidence.

About the Instructor - David Melvin, PLS

David A. Melvin, PLS, is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor based in Ocala, Florida, with more than four decades of experience in surveying and land development. A graduate of the University of Florida’s Bachelor of Land Surveying program, David is a Florida Professional Land Surveyor  Certificate No. 4033 and has consulted on boundary surveys, subdivision planning, flood mapping and wetland delineation during his career.

David started Land Pro Seminars in 2003, a continuing‑education business approved by the Florida Board of Surveyors and Mappers and the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. Through this work he has developed and presented hundreds of live seminars and authored numerous correspondence courses for surveyors, engineers and floodplain managers. His teaching is known for turning complex regulations and environmental science into practical, field‑ready knowledge.

An active member of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society, David is committed to helping land professionals stay current with evolving standards and practices. When he isn’t teaching, he enjoys exploring Florida’s landscapes and studying native wetlands and tree species.

HOW TO OBTAIN CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS AND CERTIFICATE FOR THE COURSE

Continuing Education Credit, as noted above, may be available upon successful completion of the examination answer sheet (70% grade required).  The official answer sheet must be turned in within 14 days after purchase (see instruction within course materials download).  

Due to the time limit Land Pro Seminars suggest the course materials be downloaded for free, determine your answers for the exam then download official answer sheet and transcribe your answers for submittal.  There are  complete instructions and suggestions in the FREE downloadable course materials. 

Exam retakes are available to obtain a passing grade.  There is a $10 regrading fee for each retake.  Florida licensed surveyors and mappers which successfully complete the examination will receive a certificate of completion by email attachment and the con. ed. credits earned will be uploaded to the FDACS BPSM database.  All others will receive a certificate of completion by email attachment.