2023-02-27-minutes-public-works-study-session

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SURVEY MONUMENTS POLICY & PROCEDURE EFFECTIVE xx/xx/202-'4 Survey Monument Policy Effective Date: XX/XX/2023 Revision Date: It is the policy of Kittitas County Public works to ensure that all known survey monuments within the county road rights-of-way are located and perpetuated and to adhere to state laws regarding survey monuments in compliance with WAC 332-1.20, RCW 36.86, RCW 58.24.040, and RCW 58.09. Also, it is the policy of Kittitas County Public Works to coordinate with other government agencies, private surveyors, engineers, and others for survey monument preservation. Background Survey monuments are public domain and belong to all of the citizens of Washington State. RCW 58.24.040(8), RCW 36.86.050, and 332-120 WAC require county road departments to manage and protect survey monuments located within the county road rights of way. No survey monument shall be removed, destroyed or have reasonable access impeded before a permit is obtained from the DNR. The County Engineer, as a licensed professional engineer in the State of Washington, can be held accountable for improper survey monument protection perpetrated by the county road department. On June 4th, 1851, the initial point for all section corners in Washington and Oregon was established in the Willamette Valley. All land boundary surveys must be tied to this point via a system known as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). On April 4, 1972, Washington State created State Laws regarding the removal or destruction of Survey Monuments (WAC 332-120). This would be followed by the laws known as the Survey Recording act in 1973 (RCW 58.09). On August 8, 2016, Kittitas County signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in regards to monument preservation in regards to county chipseal operations. On February 15, 2022, the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) revised WAC 136-50-050 adding requirements for charter counties to include county policies regarding county road standards and survey monument preservation.