David Zenk

Bio: David Zenk is a Geodesist with the National Geodetic Survey, serving as Regional Geodetic Advisor for the Northern Plains Region (MN, ND, SD, IA, NE). He holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Land Surveying from Oregon State University. He has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota Geography Department and at Saint Cloud State University Geography Department. He is a past Chair of the Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium. He is currently serving as Editor of the MSPS “Minnesota Surveyor” magazine. He is licensed as a Registered Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer in the State of Minnesota.

Legislative Impacts of Replacing NAD 83 and NAVD 88

Most states have a reference to the NSRS in legislation. Laws requiring that contracts or maps reference NAD 83 or NAVD 88 may need to be changed. NGS will work with organizations at a state and local level to update laws that reference these datums. A newly created working group has set a goal of having the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and NGS approve template legislative language by summer of 2016, with the follow-on goals of presenting that language to individual states afterwards. NGS will provide updates on efforts with organizations at a state and local level to update laws that reference these datums.

new datums, new reference frames, datum, NAD 83, NAVD 88