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The NSPS Day On The licensing, advocating for the continuation of stringent require-
ments that ensure land surveyors are well-equipped to handle
the responsibilities of what our work entails.
Hill: A Transformative This issue is underscored by the introduction of H.Con.Res.96 by

Experience for Nevada U.S. Representative John Joyce (R-PA), which advocates for the
continued licensing of land surveyors, architects, and engi-
Land Surveyors neers to safeguard
public welfare. The
NALS team urged
our congressional
Prepared by Trent J. Keenan, PLS representatives to
Last month, an enthusiastic support this resolu-
group of six members from tion, highlighting
the National Association of the pivotal role that
licensing plays in
Land Surveyors (NALS)—in- maintaining the
cluding four past presidents,
the current president, and an integrity and safety
active member—traveled to of infrastructural
and property-related
Washington, D.C., to partici- projects.
pate in the National Society
of Professional Surveyors 2. TAP Pilot for 2025
(NSPS) Day On The Hill, NDAA: Bridging Military Expertise to Civilian Careers
commonly known as Lobby
Day. This annual event is not Another critical issue brought to the Hill was the TAP Pilot Pro-
just a day for advocacy but gram for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. With the
a powerful platform for pro- average age of professional land surveyors in the U.S. nearing 58
fessional land surveyors to and a noticeable decline in new entrants, the geospatial profes-
directly voice critical issues sion faces a looming workforce crisis. Many military personnel
impacting their profession to acquire relevant skills that could transition into civilian roles
lawmakers. Our NALS mem- within our profession. NALS was able to advocate for a pilot pro-
bers were joined by 65 other participants from 41 other States, gram within the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance
visiting over 100 legislators and attending over 130 meetings. It Program (TAP), aimed at effectively matching these transitioning
certainly was another successful year on the Hill! military personnel skills with civilian careers in land surveying
and geospatial professions, thus addressing workforce shortages
NALS Past Presidents Nancy Almanzan, Robert Carrington, Jason and supporting economic growth.
Higgins, Trent Keenan, 2024 NALS President Todd Enke, and
NALS member Raymond Almanzan made a concerted effort to 3. Monument Preservation: Safeguarding Historical Survey
interact with five of Nevada’s six representatives. Despite being Monuments
unable to meet with Representative Steven Horsford directly, we
ensured they were acknowledged by leaving a comprehensive Lastly, we tackled the critical topic of survey monument pres-
information packet at his office. ervation during disaster cleanups. In regions particularly prone
to natural disasters, like those in the West, preserving survey
Advocating for Pressing Issues monuments is vital for property rights and efficient recovery. We
found ourselves educating many staffers about what a survey
The NALS team presented monument is and its importance, but this was an important part
three significant issues: of our conversation. Our advocacy aimed to ensure that land
Professional Licensing, the surveyors are involved in pre-cleanup discussions, that survey
TAP Pilot Program for the monument preservation is integrated into disaster relief proto-
2025 NDAA, and Monument cols, and that funds are set aside for these efforts.
Preservation. NSPS care-
fully selected each topic for
its crucial role in the future
of land surveying and its
broader implications for pub-
lic safety, economic develop-
ment, and environmental
management after natural
disasters.

1. Professional Licensure: Ensuring Public Safety and
Professional Integrity
The cornerstone of the NALS advocacy efforts was the emphasis
on professional licensure. In an era where occupational licens-
ing is often debated, the need for stringent standards in the land
surveying profession remains undisputed due to its direct impact
on public health, safety, and welfare. We were able to articulate
the crucial distinction between occupational and professional

14 The Nevada Traverse Vol.51, No.2, 2024