WISCONSIN SOCIETY OF LAND SURVEYORS

Proposed Survey Practice Modernization Bill

Summary of Proposed Provisions

January 16, 2007

Surveyor Regulation

1. Amend Chapter 443 to redefine the practice of professional land surveying in accordance with 2001 Assembly Bill 804, §§ 22 through 31.

2. Amend Chapter 443 to grant rulemaking authority to the Department of Regulation and Licensing to establish continuing education requirements for registered land surveyors.

Survey Practice

3. Amend Chapter 236 to define “approximate ordinary high water mark” (OHWM).

4. Amend Chapter 236 to substitute the term “approximate OHWM” for “OHWM” in §§ 236.15(1)(a) and (d) and 236.20(2)(g), which require surveyors to place monuments with reference to this location.

5. Amend § 236.21 (which requires that lands lying between the meander line and the water’s edge be included as part of a lot, outlot or public dedication) to clarify that such lands may be subject to public rights (as in the case of natural lakes).

6. Amend § 236.21 to further clarify that to clarify that such lands are subject to exclusive access by the owner of the appurtenant riparian land.

7. Amend Chapter 236 to permit portions of navigable streams to be included within platted lots, except where the stream has a width exceeding one-half rod.

8. Amend Chapter 895 to limit the liability of surveyors from liability resulting from surveys that do not accurately show the approximate OHWM, or the minimum or maximum water levels of water bodies.

9. Amend § 59.73(2) to extend surveyor liability limitations to any situation in which a survey accesses land for the purpose land division or boundary determination.