The Arizona Department of Transportation requested a survey of the other states regarding:
While both the existing and proposed R/W are shown (to an informational level of accuracy) on the Construction Plans, Mn/DOT does not produce separate R/W plans. However, we do produce a number of other graphic products used in the R/W Acquisition process. These are described in the Mn/DOT R/W Manual and the Mn/DOT Surveying and Mapping Manual (available online at http://www.olmweb.dot.state.mn.us/). These products, with the exception of the Final R/W Map, are produced by the Districts, with the Central Office's Office of Land Management providing policy direction and oversight. They include:
Property Base Map – produced by District Surveys, this is a map depicting the existing R/W, adjoining property boundaries, and other land interests (easements, etc.) that exist within the project area. It is built upon the Photogrammetric Base Map and used to produce the Authorization Map, and R/W Work Map, described below.
Authorization Map – produced by District R/W, this map consists of placing the proposed R/W acquisitions on the Property Base Map. It is circulated to various functional areas within the District to inform them of the intended project and obtain approval for the proposed takings.
R/W Work Map – produced by District R/W once they have obtained the Construction Limits from District Design, this map consists of placing the proposed R/W acquisitions on the property Base Map. Unlike the Authorization Map, the Work Map identifies the boundaries of each individual parcel, as well as providing detailed information for computing and staking the proposed taking. It serves as a guide to the creation of the R/W Acquisition Plat.
R/W Acquisition Plat – produced by either District Surveys or District R/W utilizing information from the Property Base Map and R/W Base Map. The R/W Plat is filed for record and used for reference when writing descriptions for R/W acquisition. The R/W Plat contents are dictated by State Statute and Mn/DOT policy.
Graphic Commissioner's Orders – Minnesota Statutes require that the Commissioner of Transportation must issue "orders" establishing the "definite location" of each highway (to include the R/W). These orders may take the form of a map or plat. When R/W is acquired through plat reference, the R/W Acquisition plat serves as the order. When R/W is acquired by narrative description, rather than by plat reference, the Commissioner's order may be either narrative or graphic.
Parcel Sketch – produced by District R/W, the parcel sketch is a graphic depiction of each individual parcel and is used to show the affected property owner the extent of the proposed taking involving his property.
Final R/W Map – produced by the CO OLM Final R/W Mapping and LIS Unit, these are graphic depictions of Mn/DOT R/W holdings and serve primarily as a guide to the necessary documentation to accurately determine and locate the R/W on the ground.
As described above, most of these products are produced in one of the eight Districts, either by the Surveys or R/W staff. As each District is task organized for their unique situation, the Survey and/or R/W personnel involved may report to their own unit supervisor, a designated Land Management supervisor, or to some other functional area supervisor (not necessarily the same supervisor for both Surveys and R/W). The Final R/W Maps are produced by the Final R/W Mapping and LIS Unit of the Surveying and Mapping Section in the Office of Land Management in the Central Office.
Depending upon staffing and workload, Mn/DOT uses a combination of in-house staff and consultants to produce the various products described above.
The Property Base Map, from which most of the other products described above derive, is based upon analysis of the record, as well as occupation and monumentation information gathered in the field. Additionally, the R/W Acquisition Plat boundaries are monumented in the field and any PLSS corners referenced by them (the plats are tied to the PLSS) must have a Certificate of Location of Government Corner filed with the appropriate County.
By statute, the R/W Acquisition Plat must be signed/certified by a licensed land surveyor, as well as the Certificate of Location of Government Corner.
Mn/DOT requires that the Property Base Map be produced under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor, whether produced in-house or by a consultant. The R/W Plats and Certificates of Location of Government Corner must be created under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor. Each District has at least one licensed land surveyor on staff to supervise the in-house work and to provide oversight for that work being done by consultants. In the Surveying and Mapping Section of the Office of Land Management in the Central Office, licensed land surveyors supervise the Platting, Legal Descriptions and Commissioner's Orders, and Final R/W Mapping and LIS Units.
Strictly speaking, the "Manager," is the Assistant District Engineer (ADE) to whom the District Surveys and R/W Units report. At the District Surveys and R/W level, the unit heads are "Supervisors," not "Managers." At the "Supervisor" level, the individual is usually either a Professional Engineer or a Licensed Land Surveyor, although there have been other classifications (Real Estate Agent, Planner) in these positions from time to time. Again, there must be a licensed land surveyor in charge of the R/W Platting and Property Base Map work, though not necessarily the other products identified in response to Question 1 above.
The District R/W and/or Survey supervisors are either at the Senior or Principal level (Engineer or Surveyor). The following is the pay range for these positions. This does not reflect a just negotiated pay raise that averages about 2%.
Engineer/Land Surveyor, Senior $46,375 - $65,897
Engineer/Land Surveyor, Principal $49,945 - $73,623
As stated previously, while work may be farmed out to consultants, each District maintains at least one staff licensed land surveyor to oversee the consultant's work.
North Dakota's response to survey questions regarding the qualifications of Right of Way Plans Section Management is shown as follows:
