The Senate and House finally agreed upon Pennsylvania’s 2025-2026 budget and it was signed into law by the Governor on November 12, 2025. The Budget totals $50.1 billion, focusing on tax relief, public education, and economic growth. Key highlights include the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit providing $193 million in tax relief, significant investments in public schools, including increased basic education funding and school infrastructure, and initiatives for economi

This research will produce a manuscript serving as a resource for surveyors in Pennsylvania. It provides guidance on the governing laws, evidentiary standards, and professional responsibilities involved in utilizing prior surveys as extrinsic evidence while retracing property boundaries. The study examines how prior surveys are to be weighed as evidence while trying the facts of the location of the boundary to be ascertained.

Trimble’s 2025 Geospatial Industry Report offers a vivid and compelling picture of where our profession stands today and where it is headed tomorrow. The message is unmistakable: land surveying is entering one of the most transformative and opportunity filled eras in its long and respected history. As innovation accelerates and the demand for reliable geospatial information continues to grow, licensed land surveyors are becoming more essential than ever across the Commonwealt

Following in the footsteps of our predecessors while forging a pathway for our successors...This is particularly true with the boundary...

On June 6, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a 21-page Policy Notice instituting critical reforms to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Reforms will remove rules favoring particular technologies and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens.

With the Senate and House busy at work prior to the summer recess, I continue to have many discussions and attend several events. Unfortunately, with the Legislative and Executive branches unable to agree upon a budget, everything is log jammed. Hopefully, in the near future, the budget will be passed and everything will start to move forward. Also, the House and Senate are to go back in session in the near future. In the meantime, I’ve had several discussions focusing on

Below is the Table of Contents of the book: WATERWAY BOUNDARIES ALONG INLAND RIPARIAN LANDS CANALS & ISLANDS: A Compilation of Historical Records Including Abstracts from Cases, Statutes & Law Reviews (Detailed Sections on Pennsylvania). We hope this gives you a preview of the important information presented in the book. This book is sold through the PSLS online book store and is available for purchase.

During a recent retracement survey, I encountered a rusted one-inch iron pipe with its cap lying nearby. At first glance, it looked like a forgotten relic. On closer inspection, however, I realized it had been set decades ago by a surveyor who is still practicing in northwest Pennsylvania. That deteriorating monument made me pause—not only to reflect on the longevity of my colleague’s career, but also to wonder whether I might someday outlive the monuments I set.

Upcoming Events PSLS Webinars October 8 2025 from 12-1PM - Ethics Essentials: A Primer for Pennsylvania Land Surveyors ...

1.1 Border Vista – Boundary Vista A border vista and boundary vista is any defined cleared space between two areas of foliage intended to provide a clear demarcation line between the two areas. (1) These vistas have been written about primarily with surveys associated with state and international boundaries, however; nationally recognized survey text and publications have been relatively silent on this subject for private boundary surveys Perhaps this lack of writing or ackn

Wow! How fast did this year's first five (5) months go by? Since I penned the last article, things have continued to be busy. During the last weekend in March, I was asked to volunteer as a judge for the 2025 ASCE Mid-Atlantic East & West Student Symposium surveying competition. Eight (8) schools competed against one another in plat and field competitions. The field competition had four (4) parts: pacing, leveling, stakeout, and pipeline. The experience was fantastic. T

Information abstracted from "Waterways Boundaries Along Inland Riparian Lands, Canals & Islands.

Upcoming Events, Membership Partner Program, PSLS PAC March Madness Challenge, PSLS Crew Shop, and PSLS Book Store.

On March 15, President Trump signed 1968, the "Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025," into Public Law 119-4, which provides fiscal year 2025 appropriations to federal agencies through Sept. 30, 2025, averting a shutdown of the federal government. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and funds most programs and activities at the FY2024 levels while also extending FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

With the Senate and House busy at work prior to the summer recess, I continue to have many discussions and attend several events. These discussions focus on both promoting and opposing several PSLS legislative issues, which are the following: We are working on the State Plane Coordinate System Law (HB 513), which was introduced by Representative Eric DaVanzo on February 4th and has been referred to the House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee. This legislati

In early December 2024, John Clark, Larry Leso, Timothy Rojahn, and I represented the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors at the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association Conference in Hershey, PA. The conference covered two days. They had a whole room for vendors/exhibitors, and we talked to quite a few people about land surveying. On the first day the attendees were given a bingo card for which they had to visit the vendors to get their cards filled out. This got us qui

I had the opportunity to present a 1-hour session entitled “The Subdivision Plan and the Surveyor” to members of PAAZO, PA Association of Zoning Officials, an affiliate association of PSATS, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, on May 4th in Hershey. The session was well attended with over 80 zoning officials in attendance.

The 2026 Scouting BSA National Jamboree will be held from July 22 through July 31, 2026, at the Summit Bechtel Reserve near Glen Jean, West Virginia. The National Society of Professional Surveyors is again providing sponsorship for the offering of the Surveying Merit Badge. The Surveying Merit Badge is one of the more difficult badges to obtain because of the significant requirements. I had the honor of serving as a surveying merit badge counselor for the 2023 Jamboree a

One of the most common concerns I hear from surveyors is the difficulty in finding responsible, entry-level candidates to join their companies. After teaching the Surveying Merit Badge at the 2025 California University Merit Badge University (MBU), I've found an excellent pool of potential future surveyors. For the past 26 years, California University of PA has hosted MBU, providing scouts with the opportunity to earn merit badges. I've had the pleasure of teaching Surveying