A new set of ALTA/ACSM survey standards will be coming out in 2016, and according to the latest News & Views from the NSPS (National Society of Professional Surveyors), they will be getting a name change as well, and will now be called ALTA/NSPS surveys.
ALTA stands for the American Land Title Association, and ACSM stands for the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, which were the two organizations that came together to first create the ALTA/ACSM survey standards in 1964.
The ACSM was absorbed into the NSPS in 2012, so the name has seemed a little out-of-place since. I'm sure it will probably take some adjustment to get used to the new name, although I think in general practice most people refer to them as "ALTA surveys" anyway.
Although the official standards won't be released until February 2016, it looks like there may be a few other interesting changes coming as well, notably:
- A reason must be given for writing an "as surveyed" description
- A zoning letter or report must be provided to the surveyor before zoning information can be addressed on the survey
- Table A Item 18, requiring a statement about whether a site appears to be used as a solid waste dump, sump or sanitary landfill will be removed
- Table A Item 19, requiring a determination of wetlands areas will be removed
- Table A Item 20(b), which requires setting monuments on corners of easements which benefit the subject property, will be removed