59.73 Surveys; expressing bearings, subdividing sections.

(1) How bearings expressed in surveys. In all surveys the bearings shall be expressed with reference to a magnetic, true or other identifiable line of the public land survey, recorded and filed subdivision or to the Wisconsin coordinate system. In all cases the reference selected shall be so noted as set forth in s. 59.45 (1) (a) 2. and if magnetic must be retraceable and identifiable by reference to a monumented line.

(2) Subdividing sections. Whenever a county surveyor or professional land surveyor is required to subdivide a section or smaller subdivision of land established by the United States survey, the county surveyor or professional land surveyor shall proceed according to the statutes of the United States and the rules and regulations made by the secretary of the interior in conformity to the federal statutes. While so engaged a professional land surveyor and the professional land surveyor's assistants shall not be liable as a trespasser and shall be liable only for any actual damage done to land or property.

History: 1995 a. 201 ss. 393, 394, 421; 1999 a. 96; 2013 a. 358.

The exemption from liability for trespass in sub. (2) did not prevent the DNR from issuing a citation against a surveyor for violating an administrative rule prohibiting operating vehicles on park land. DNR v. Bowden, 2002 WI App 129, 254 Wis. 2d 625, 647 N.W.2d 865, 01-2820.

Resurveys of public lands are discussed. United States v. Citko, 517 F. Supp. 233 (1981).