Public Land Surveying System Problems: History of Public Lands

The first surveys of public lands in the U.S. were conducted under the provisions of which of the following laws?

A. the Greenville Treaty
B. the Act of February 11, 1805
C. the Virginia Charter
D. the Land Ordinance Act

Passed by Congress under the Articles of Confederation in 1785, the Land Ordinance Act established many elements of the Public Land Surveying System that remain virtually unchanged today. The Act created 640 ac sections (which were called lots) and 6 mi townships, and required that public lands be surveyed before they were sold.

The answer is (D).

This is problem 1(5-1) from the NEW third edition of “Surveying Solved Problems for the FS and PS Exams” by Jan Van Sickle, PLS (formerly "1001 Solved Surveying Fundamentals Problems"). Reprinted with permission from “Surveying Solved Problems for the FS and PS Exams” by Jan Van Sickle, PLS (2008 Professional Publications Inc.). For details on this and other FLS exam-prep books, call 800/426-1178 or visit www.ppi2pass.com

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