Surveying

Pelicans Causeway Survey

Pelicans Causeway Survey Galveston County | Galveston, Texas Shine | DCCM surveyed a proposed route for a new Pelican Causeway from Galveston Island across to Pelican Island. Nedra Foster Townsend, LSLS, RPLS, served as Licensed State Land Surveyor (LSLS) for this project, and Joe Mattox, LSLS, RPLS, served as Project Manager. Shine | DCCM’s tasks included researching both current and historic data to evaluate natural and artificial changes to the landscape; research on court cases that affected the boundary locations; calculations of tidal datums for which we relied on Tide Gauge 8771450 Galveston Pier 21; survey of tidal datums and location of state submerged tracts; establishment of new control and recovery of existing control; survey of affected tracts and monumentation of new take parcels; topographic surveys of take areas; metes-and-bounds descriptions of each take parcel; and mapping proposed right-of-way, shoreline survey, and take parcels.

Neches Wildlife Management Area Tract Acquisition

Neches Wildlife Management Area Tract Acquisition U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Cherokee County, Texas Shine | DCCM was selected to survey the boundaries of 250 acres in Cherokee County, which included several miles of Neches River gradient boundary, a river cut-off area, highway frontage, oil and gas operations, utility easements, and a railroad transecting the tracts. Shine | DCCM requested the right of entry, setting of control, location of existing monumentation and setting new monumentation where needed, preparation of plats, and legal descriptions for transactions. Shine | DCCM performed deed research to ascertain current record ownership and parent tracts, easements, utilities, and oil and gas records. Records from TxDOT and Missouri Pacific Railroad were acquired. Research on original grants was conducted using GLO archival records. Historic aerials and topographic maps were used to determine the nature of changes in river course. We set benchmarks to be accessed and relied upon by other entities in transactions utilizing GPS. The gradient boundary was surveyed on the Neches River in accordance with Oklahoma v. Texas, 260 US 606 (1923). A cut-off of the river (also a county line) had occurred, so this required ascertaining if the state maintained a claim to cut-off and the flow of the river. All corners, lines, and improvements were included in this survey. Plat and metes-and-bounds were prepared for the three tracts comprising 250 acres.

Marion County Boundary Survey

Marion County Boundary Survey Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | Marion and Jefferson Counties, Texas Shine | DCCM determined the boundary of an original survey in Marion County and the boundary determination of numerous tracts of land surrounding and adjacent to the subject survey. Due to natural and artificial changes in the area since the 1800s, the project required extensive research outside the normal record research involved in any survey project. Research was performed in the Texas general land office archives, Marion County records, and private survey records. Historic research of the area was also necessary, including historical aerial photography and topographic maps. Fieldwork utilized existing occupation, monumentation, and natural features as called for when the grants were originally laid out. Evidence was analyzed and compared to records. A report and plat were prepared, setting out all the boundaries and the issues involved in the area and topographic features. Project Manager Nedra Foster Townsend, LSLS, RPLS, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department personnel attended meetings with surrounding landowners to explain boundaries.

Dogwood Trail Boundary Survey

Dogwood Trail Boundary Survey Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust | Tyler County, Texas Shine | DCCM determined boundaries for a privately held timber company tract of land and performed research of Texas General Land Office archives, Hardin County records, and private survey records. Fieldwork in the area determined the location of existing occupation, monumentation, topographic features, and natural features. The evidence was analyzed and compared to the recorded evidence, and, where appropriate, lines were marked with lathes with intervisibility. Plats which included trails and natural features for park use and metes and bounds, were prepared to be used in the land transfer. The resulting partition of 40 acres was transferred to Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust.

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