U.S. Public Land Survey System

FEATURE_TYPE: PL

This category of data describes the rectangular system of land surveys which is administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) data exist only for areas falling solely or in part within the States which were formed from the public domain. The PLSS subdivides the public domain and represents property boundaries or references to property boundaries. These DLG data are not intended to be official or authoritative. They are presented as cartographic reference information. The only legal basis for determining land boundaries remains the original survey.

There are several attributes specific to U.S. Public Land Survey System features.

Field Name

Description

section

The alphanumeric Section Identifier number.

township

Township Identifier numbers north and south of baseline, including fractions.

Examples: “101 South”, “23 1/2 North”

range

Range Identifier numbers east and west of principal meridian including fractions, duplicate, and triplicate notification.

Examples: “5 East”, “79 1/2 West”, “47 West, duplicate to north or east of the original township”

origin

Full text string identifying the origin of the survey, including township, state, and date.

Examples: “Boise - PM ID 1867”, “Ohio River - OH OH,IN 1785”

nonsectionID

Full text string of the Non-Section Identifier.

Examples: “51”, “W”, “San Ignacio de la Canoa grant in Arizona”, “Pueblo of Santa Ana grant in New Mexico”

monument

Land grant corner, location, or mineral monument number.

Range: 0000 - 9999