ALTA/NSPS question

Question:  One interpretation of Item 15 in Table A is that this item does not require rectified orthophotography, etc. but rather it allows the surveyor to use alternative methods to locate certain features (i.e. parking stripes) relative to a boundary as long as he provides an adequate discussion of the methodology and its ramifications. Withstanding that interpretation, if the surveyor elects to “hand shoot” all features on a property, he or she has met the requirements of Item 15. Is this a proper interpretation, or does checking #15 require the surveyor to include these technologies? Thanks for your opinion. 


Answer:   The idea on item 15 was to provide a way under the standards for a surveyor to save a client some time and money on locating some features that all parties – title company, lender and client – agree can be adequately addressed without fieldwork (or as much fieldwork as would otherwise be required pursuant to the standards). If the item is checked, the assumption is that there was some meeting of the minds (and agreement) between the surveyor and the other 3 parties as to an approach and its shortcomings (i.e., completeness and precision). The agreed-upon approach would then, as you note, be documented and explained on the face of the survey pursuant to the requirements stated in Item 15. My feeling is that if none of those alternate methods were employed, then Item 15 is not applicable and should not be certified to. I do know that some clients check that item off without having any idea of what it means (maybe it sounds like a good idea). In those cases, I tell surveyors that they should ask the client what they had in mind when they checked it off and if they say “it sounded like a way to save some money,” I would be prepared to discuss with them what the possibilities and ramifications are (in addition to outlining the restrictions spelled out in the item itself). In short, I don’t think Item 15 requires such approaches, but if they are not used, then Item 15 is irrelevant – it doesn’t apply and shouldn’t be included in the certification