| In a word, no. | | | | hundred years to deal with the legal disputes that |
| Geographic Information Systems, along with | | | | arise over the precise location of property |
| Global Positioning Systems, are among the | | | | boundary lines. It is based on the origination and |
| marvels of the 21st Century. For example, you | | | | use of legal boundary data, established over time |
| may have tried using the satellite images and the | | | | by the land surveying process. Surveying has legal |
| locating technology on Google Earth to zoom in on | | | | requirements for the methods used to gather |
| your own property - and to zoom back out to | | | | information and the way it is represented. |
| see your tiny presence on this huge planet. The | | | | Surveyors are required by law to meet standards |
| vast quantity of data, the capabilities of | | | | for experience and to pass examinations in order |
| processing that data and the instant gratification | | | | to be licensed. These laws are, in effect, |
| of the internet have all come together to make | | | | consumer protection laws that ensure property |
| that exercise possible. Within a few years, we | | | | rights and public safety. |
| may be able to use a GPS-enabled wristwatch to | | | | Some merging of survey data with GIS data is |
| find a location that is accurate to within the | | | | beginning to occur, such as the practice by some |
| diameter of a pencil point, and to give you every | | | | municipalities of using survey principles to establish |
| detail about that point and on what parcel of land | | | | GIS reference points on maps. And land |
| it lies. | | | | surveyors are now using satellite-based positioning |
| It is tempting to conclude, therefore, that you will | | | | devices for faster and more productive |
| also be able to download an extremely accurate | | | | measurements. |
| map of your property with the associated GIS | | | | GIS databases are assembled from a variety of |
| data, thus eliminating surveys and costly property | | | | often unknown sources, and the data can be out |
| line disputes forever. It's tempting, but untrue. | | | | of date. Addresses, the existence and locations of |
| Here's why. | | | | physical features, and zoning can change since the |
| Property lines are invisible on satellite images or | | | | GIS data was collected. Reliance on such data |
| three-dimensional topographic maps of the earth. | | | | carries some risk. Therefore, locating your |
| Those lines exist through a network of reference | | | | property lines on the ground will still require the |
| points (usually markers or "monuments" buried | | | | preparation of a current survey from a reputable, |
| underground) and surface measurements | | | | professional land surveyor. |
| between those points. This is what surveyors call | | | | If you want to avoid potential conflicts with your |
| "ground evidence," or legal boundary data. | | | | adjacent property owners that might lead to |
| GIS is composed of hardware, software, | | | | litigation, a proper land survey provided under the |
| information and end users, from a variety of | | | | duties and obligations of professional licensure is |
| sources and with varying degrees of accuracy. | | | | still your best insurance. If you are ever sued for |
| There are currently no legal standards at the | | | | encroachment of another's property, which can |
| state or national level to regulate the quality or | | | | be a financial burden for most individuals or |
| uniformity of such data, or the methods used to | | | | businesses, a professionally prepared and sealed |
| accumulate it. | | | | land survey, based on the highly relevant legal |
| Property law has evolved over the past few | | | | boundary data, is still an excellent defense. |