SURVEY OF LAND HAVING

NATURAL FEATURE
BOUNDARIES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able:

• State the differences of natural and right line boundaries.

• Describe the element in Section 353 of the National Land Code.
• Explain the re-survey of Natural Boundaries.
NATURAL FEATURE BOUNDARY

Natural feature boundary is a term used

when a topographical features such as
river, shorelines and foreshore are being
used as a boundaries or part of the
boundaries of an alienated land
NATURAL FEATURE BOUNDARY
DISADVANTAGE OF NATURAL FEATURE
BOUNDARY

 The location, alignment and physical shapes of

a natural feature are subject to changes due
time, natural phenomena and human activities.

 Due to the unstable factors, natural features are

not suitable for the purpose of boundary
determination.
 BEFORE NLC
Several alienated land before the
commencement of the NLC are having
boundaries consisting of natural features;
 Foreshore

 Coastal line (sea)

 River or river-bank

 Road/track etc.
 SECTION 353 OF NLC
Section 353 of the NLC requires that all
alienated land with natural feature
boundaries to be re-surveyed and the
boundary is to be determined by right-
lines.
 RIGHT-LINE BOUNDARY
Right-line boundary is an imaginary
boundary line connecting two boundary
marks whereby its coordinates, bearing and
distance had been measured and
documented in the Certified Plan.
 ADVANTAGES OF RIGHT-LINE
BOUNDARY
The right-line boundary is having several
advantages compared to natural feature
boundary;
 Stable
 Can be determined
 Properly recorded and documented
 Missing mark can be re-established
SURVEY PROCEDURES
 SURVEY PROCEDURES
Section 353 of NLC stated that the
Director of Survey shall cause the natural
boundary or boundaries to be determined
by right-line
 ACTIONS

• All alienated lot with natural boundaries need to

be re-surveyed
• Original position of the natural boundary need to
be carefully determined and demarcated
• New boundary marks need to be planted
 ORIGINAL TRACES OF THE NATURAL
BOUNDARY
It is the responsibility of the surveyor to carefully
find the original traces of the natural boundary.
• If the natural feature is foreshore, coast-line, river or
river bank, which subject to alter from time to time,
the boundary shall be taken to follow any survey
traverse made for the purpose of determining the line
of that feature at the time the land was alienated.
SURVEY TRAVERSE MADE AT TIME THE
LAND WAS ALIENATED
 BOUNDARY MARKS PLANTED
FOLLOW SURVEY TRAVERSE MADE AT
TIME THE LAND WAS ALIENATED
 TRAVERSE WILL BE DISREGARDED

 The traverse shall be disregarded to the extent (if

necessary) to take account of any advance of the
shore-line, or of the bed of any river;
 Unless the proprietor of the land would thereby
become entitled to an area substantial greater than
the specified area in his document of title, the traverse
shall also be disregarded to the extent (if any)
necessary to include within the boundaries of the land
any revetment, sea-wall, river-wall or other structure
lawfully erected by the proprietor.
 INWARD ADVANCEMENT

 In case of inward advancement of the natural feature,

the new boundary marks shall be planted as close as
possible to the existing course.
 As a result lot area will be smaller than the original
area stated in the document of title.
 Land proprietor can apply for reduction on annual
quit rent
INWARD ADVANCEMENT
 OUTWARD ADVANCEMENT

 In case of outward advancement of the natural

feature, the new boundary marks shall be planted
follows the original traverse made at time the land
was alienated.
 The proprietor of the land is not entitled to an area
substantial greater than the specified area in his
document of title.
OUTWARD ADVANCEMENT
ACTIONS AFTER SURVEY COMPLETED

 The area of the lot to be re-calculated

 Assign new lot number
 New CP to be drawn
 ACTIONS BY LAND OFFICE

 The Land Administrator shall inform the proprietor if

substantial difference in area
 Proprietor can appeal for quit rent reduction if the
area became smaller