protraction [PLSS]—An extension or prolongation, such as the representation on paper of the fractional loss in the north and west tiers of sections within a township.  These lines are not monumented on the ground. They are shown on the plat as protractions (dashed lines) indicating that they were not run in the field. The distances given are parenthetical until they are actually surveyed.  See also protraction diagram [PLSS].

protraction diagram [PLSS]—A diagram representing the plan for the extension of the rectangular system over unsurveyed public lands, based upon the computed values for the corner positions. The diagram is approved by the Chief Cadastral Surveyor of the state Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office, on behalf of the Director of BLM.

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Source: NSPS “Definitions of Surveying and Related Terms“, used with permission.

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