Are there any standards Here?
Being a RLS, I understand your plight. I've had many, many people tell me they know where their section corner is "it's a concrete marker with a brass disk in the top". Yep, most of the time it's a benchmark, not a section corner. It has nothing to do with their boundaries. Alot of people don't know everything about surveying whether it's the vertical type or the horizontal type. They don't understand the importance it holds to the everyday surveyor or engineer. That's probably the reason for the vague descriptions. BUT!!!! This benchmark hunting idea is a GREAT THING! At least everyday people are out there hunting for these long lost markers. Whether their updates are accurate or not is a matter of written evidence. Is there a photo, a description of the current condition of the monument or a tie to the monument( so many feet or paces from a fenceline). Experience leads you to "read between the lines". Did they really find it?? In my opinion, it's not a matter of standards, it's a matter of people of all walks of life going out and trying to find long lost benchmarks for the benefit of the public. From time to time I'll need to recover a benchmark to run elevations but I don't have time to find all the benchmarks in my area. But if the public makes a sport out of finding all they can, have at it!! It's to surveyor/engineer's benefit! I have to admit, as a sport (not work) it's can be alot of fun. I plan on photographing and logging all I find in the future. I hope you keep it up, standards or no standards. You have the education and the knowledge!
