During the recent Land Surveyor Board Meeting held on August 28, 2025, significant discussions centered around a complaint involving an energy company's survey practices related to a pipeline expansion project in Tennessee. The complaint, initially presented at a February meeting, was brought forth by a licensed land surveyor who represented a property owner concerned about the company's use of eminent domain.

The complainant alleged that the survey conducted by the energy company was substandard and did not comply with established regulations. In response, the energy company clarified that the survey in question was not intended as a boundary survey nor for the purpose of exercising eminent domain; rather, it was prepared to facilitate the acquisition of easements.

An expert review of the survey revealed several technical issues. While the energy company provided some GPS data, it failed to include all necessary information required for remote sensing surveys as outlined in regulatory rule 0 8 2 0 dash 0 3 dash 0.075. The expert determined that a Category 4 certificate would have been more appropriate for the work product instead of the Category 1 certificate that was issued.

The expert's findings indicated that while the survey may not have required GPS notes and accuracy statements, the respondent had partially included them but with inaccuracies. This highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance with surveying standards, particularly in projects involving significant public interest like pipeline expansions.

The discussions at this meeting underscore the importance of maintaining rigorous standards in land surveying, especially when private property rights and public infrastructure projects intersect. As the board continues to address these issues, the implications for both landowners and energy companies remain significant, with potential impacts on future surveying practices and regulatory compliance in Tennessee.