Pub. 12 2017 Issue 1

www.ucls.org 20 Issue 1 2017 / UCLS Foresights classification of air-balance engineers also “accurately describes the standing and circumstance of a survey crewmember,” although admittedly in the performance of a different activity. The NSPS letter also requested that DoL issue a revised All Agen - cy Memorandum reflecting this fact. In its response dated 11/28/16, DoL rejected the NSPS proposal, stating “the Department be - lieves that its current guidance is accurate and that no additional action is necessary.” With the potential impact on federal agency leadership as a result of the recent elections, NSPS will revisit this issue. Visit http://www.nsps.us.com/?page= - DavisBacon for information on the history of this topic. NSPS Foundation Issues $29,000 in Scholarships Two new scholarships were initiated in 2016. One was created through the New Jersey Society of Professional Surveyors in the name of well-known Surveyor/Attorney/ Instructor Walt Robillard. The other was ini- tiated through NSPS, and resulted from a gift of $130,000 from the estate of Dr. Ing. Desid - er E. Slavoj. Learn more about the scholarship program at http://www.nsps.us.com/?page= - Scholarships. The Foundation is currently working on a Support Program through which individuals and companies can support its activities. NSPS Workshop Database NSPS is nearing completion of the first edition of a workshop speaker database to be shared with the respective state societies for use in planning for their conferences and oth- er educational activities. The list will include primarily those speakers who can be available on a national basis. More than 30 speakers have responded positively to the inquiry sent by NSPS. NSPS hopes to also coordinate with other national organizations that provide workshops to their respective members, but could also be pertinent to surveyors. NSPS Outreach to American School Counselors Association (ASCA) Inspires Activity The success of the team from NSPS (led by President Cavell) which attended the national ASCA conference in New Orleans in early July has spurred similar participation by NSPS members and their respective states societies. NSPS will continue this effort and is encouraged that several state societies are following its lead on this. NSPS has de- veloped a series of brochures to be used for this outreach, in conjunction with state-society-developed materials. NSPS Encourages More Participation in the National TrigStar Competition, the NSPS Map/Plat Competition, and the NSPS Journalism Competition The 2016 national TrigStar competition included participation by 38 state winners. The TrigStar Committee continues to work for broader participation among the state societies. The recently initiated NSPS $5000 TrigStar scholarship (see http://www.nsps. us.com/?page=TSScholarship for more information) seems to have served as an incentive. Any graduating high school stu - dent is eligible to apply for the scholarship if they have competed in TrigStar at any time during their high school years and can demonstrate proof of acceptance in a college program providing education applicable to - ward achieving licensure. The 2016 NSPS Map/Plat compe- tition drew 43 total entries among its five categories. Results are posted on the NSPS website (http://www.nsps . us.com/?page=MapPlat ). The respective state surveying societies are urged to submit the winning plats from their an- nual competition. The NSPS Journalism competition among the respective state societies continues to draw participation with eight state societies presenting entries in the four categories in 2016. The results are posted on the NSPS website (http://www.nsps . us.com/?page=Journalism ). NSPS Social Media Update Members are encouraged to take advantage of the ex- tensive NSPS social media outlets. In addition to the very popular weekly email newsletter, NSPS News & Views (which is sent via email) and the weekly web radio show, NSPS Radio Hour (accessible at <http://www.nsps . us.com/?page=RadioShow) , members can also get current information and participate in conversations by searching National Society of Professional Survey- ors on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube accounts. Recent Memoranda of Understanding by NSPS 1. Young Surveyors Network (signed during the NSPS 2016 Fall meetings) 2. United States Institute of Building Documentation (USIBD) (signed Octo - ber 2016) 3. Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (American Society of Civil En - gineers) (approved for signature) Direct Point Positioning Sur- vey Procedure (DPPS) – BLM/Alaska An NSPS Committee, chaired by Tim Kent, has submitted its final report related to the effect of the DPPS process proposed by BLM for the establishment of boundary line markers and for the remaining lands to be ceded to the State of Alaska as a result of Alaska statehood over 50 years ago. The DPPS process, as proposed by BLM, would use calculated GPS positions rather than monuments placed in the ground, as was initially required in the statehood agree - ment. The Committee is now in the process of developing a response in opposition to a statement by a BLM official stating that the Committee found “no fundamental tech - nical issues” related to BLM’s proposed approach (http://www.nsps.us.com/page/ BLMDPPSAlaska). Should Hydrographers Be Licensed as Surveyors In case the issue is presented to the Oregon legislature in the Spring of 2017, Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon Lobbyist Darrell Fuller has requested a po - sition statement from NSPS regarding the question of whether hydrographers must be licensed to provide services in the state. A committee has been looking at this issue for some time, and is final - izing a position for NSPS to decide upon. t Steve Dale NSPS Director