Realty: Land Surveying

Land Surveying dates back to ancient times. More than one civilization recognized the need for marking the boundaries of land for taxing purposes as well as for defining just where one ownership begins and another ends. In the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the purpose of land surveys is to ascertain the boundaries of lands under FWS administrative jurisdictionl. This means to provide positive identification of the land, both on the ground and by written legal description. In the management of U.S. Fish and Wildlife lands, certainty of ownership is an important aspect where accurate, up to date land surveys contribute to the overall success of the Service in meeting its mission responsibilities.

Whether it's the review of the completeness of a land description in the land acquisition process or the physical survey of the lands to determine a precise location on the ground and an accurate acreage, land surveys generate required information to insure good title to the lands of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Properly established boundaries provide for better management of resources by accurately identifying the landscape's extent. The FWS cannot provide effective management to protect our land unless we know where the land is precisely located on the face of the earth.

For more information regarding regional land surveying activities with the Fish and Wildlife Service please contact:

• Region 1 (Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
  David Hills, Regional Land Surveyor
  (503) 231-6843 or email David_Hills@fws.gov
• Region 2 (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)
  Michael Purtee, Regional Land Surveyor
  (505) 248-7414 or e-mail Michael_Purtee@fws.gov
• Region 3 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin)
  Gary Kratz, Regional Land Surveyor
  (612) 713-5483 or e-mail Gary_Kratz@fws.gov
• Region 4 (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
  South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico)
  Linda Kubicsko, Regional Land Surveyor
  (404) 679-7161 or e-mail Linda_Kubicsko@fws.gov
• Region 5 (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
  New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia)
  Michael J. Hayden, Regional Land Surveyor
  (413) 253-8535 or e-mail Mike_Hayden@fws.gov
• Region 6 (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)
  Bill Rogers, Regional Land Surveyor
  (303) 236-4314 or e-mail William_Rogers@fws.gov
• Region 7 (Alaska)
  Point of Contact, John Brewer,  Division of Realty
  (907) 786-3462 or e-mail John_Brewer@fws.gov
• Region 8 (California, Nevada)
  Kirk Norton, Regional Land Surveyor
  (916) 978-4679 or e-mail Kirk_Norton@fws.gov
• Region 9 (Headquarters - Washington, D.C.)
  Patrick G. Carroll, Chief Land Surveyor
  (831) 648-0100 or e-mail Patrick_Carroll@fws.gov