Roles of Government and Private Sector in Geodetic Surveying

A detailed proposal describing the roles of the federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector, is presented. Functions are classified according to traditional methods, taking into account new technologies, and recognizing that organizations other than the federal government can perform these traditionally governmental functions. Functions in geodetic surveying are classified according to mandates or legislation, although no absolute mandates have been enacted for most of the functions. Techniques are not discussed explicitly since no organization has an exclusive right to perform a particular method. Instead, performance of surveys, management of geodetic data, and computation and adjustment of geodetic observations are covered. The concept of a multipurpose cadastre (MPC) has become a reality in a few areas of the country. The MPC is clearly located within the local government's area of responsibility with the amount of state and federal activity remaining to be determined. Finally, certain functions are identified at the state and local level, including the requirement that surveys be tied to the National Geodetic Reference System.