PART ONE: LAND CONSOLIDATION REVIEW PROCESS

Why is the DNR completing this review of these State-owned, DNR administered lands?
The DNR is completing this land review to evaluate state-owned parcels located outside DNR project boundaries to determine if their natural resource and outdoor recreation values contribute significantly to the DNR's mission. Completing this review will assist the DNR in consolidating state land ownership. This will also increase efficiency of management by reducing the cost of managing small, isolated parcels, especially those that do not have significant natural resource or recreation potential. The proceeds from the sale or exchange of such parcels will be used to acquire replacement land to consolidate state lands and increase recreation opportunities.

What is meant by land consolidation?
"Consolidation" is the acquisition of privately owned land located within DNR project boundaries or adjacent to other state-owned lands and conveying parcels that are isolated from other state-owned lands which have minimal outdoor recreation or natural resource value.

What is the process used for reviewing lands?
A list of all State-owned, DNR administered parcels located outside of the DNR's recently updated project boundaries was compiled. Each parcel was then evaluated by local DNR field staff including a wildlife biologist, fisheries biologist, forester and recreation specialist for natural resource and outdoor recreation values. The results of this initial review were further evaluated for title and deed restrictions, mineral values, recreation values and cultural resources. Based on this review, an initial recommendation for each parcel was developed and made available for public comment.

What are the criteria used in reviewing lands?
The criteria used to evaluate each parcel includes the following:
Does the parcel have:

• significant natural resource values including threatened or endangered species?
• have significant recreational opportunities
• lie in a designated unique resource protection area (such Critical Dune or Natural Area)?
• lie adjacent to public or other protected land?
• have existing access for the general public?
• have access for DNR management purposes?
• provide public access to surface water?
• contain any known historical or cultural resources?

Is there additional public notification and/or opportunity for public comment after the public meeting?
Opportunities for additional comment are provided at subsequent NRC meetings held prior to Director approval. Notices for public comment are provided through the following means:

• NRC Agenda - all parcels.
• DNR Calendar - all parcels.
• DNR website - all parcels.

When will a final decision be made on the lands identified in this review?
Upon the completion of the public meeting for each county (or group of counties) the public comments will be considered by the DNR's Land Exchange Review Committee (LERC). LERC then makes a recommendation to the Natural Resources Commission and the DNR Director for each parcel. The Director will then make a final decision on each parcel. This process will take approximately 2 to 3 months.

Who can I contact for more information on this land review process?
You may contact the following staff as appropriate:

• State Forest Lands:
  Kerry Wieber at 517-373-9905
• State Parks and Recreation Areas and Boating and Public Water Access Sites:
  Paul Yauk 
• State Game Areas and State Wildlife Areas:
  Scott Whitcomb at 517-641-4903 x 228
• State Fisheries:
  Steve Sutton at 517-241-9049

PART 2: HOW TO ACQUIRE DNR SURPLUS PROPERTY

How does the DNR plan to acquire land as part of this consolidation process?
The DNR will utilize the proceeds from land sales to purchase land that has high natural resource and outdoor recreation values, primarily located within DNR project boundaries. The DNR pays fair market value, based on appraisal, and all closing costs when purchasing lands. In many cases, the DNR prefers to complete a land exchange to acquire desired lands

How will the DNR utilize the proceeds from land sales?
Proceeds from sales of parcels will be used to acquire lands with greater resource or recreational value. State law requires that land be sold at no less than fair market value as determined by an appraisal.

What is the process for land conveyance after DNR Director's final approval?
After approval by DNR Director to convey land, the DNR will proceed with the following steps:

• Send notices to appropriate local units of government to allow them to express their interest in acquiring the land for public purposes.
• If no interest by local unit of government, then send notices to other Alternative Conservation Owners, such as state and local land trusts.
• If no interest by Alternative Conservation Owners, then lands will be listed on DNR web site for exchange with private parties. Lands offered in exchange must be within DNR project boundaries or otherwise of interest to the DNR for management purposes.
• If no exchange offers are received, then the parcel will proceed to auction sale.
  • Notices of auction sale would be published in state and local newspapers and on the DNR's website.
  • Auctions will be conducted by means of sealed bid.
  • The minimum bid on the parcel would be its market value as determined by an appraisal, plus transaction costs.
• If no bids are received on a parcel, the land would remain available for direct purchase at the appraised value, plus transaction costs.

NOTE:  The DNR reserves the right to dispose of any individual parcel by sale or exchange outside of this process if deemed to be in the best interest of the DNR and the people of Michigan.

I am a local unit of government. How can I acquire land in this process?
Parcels identified for exchange or sale will first be offered to governmental agencies, including the appropriate local units of government. Agencies will be asked to indicate their interest in acquiring the parcel by submitting a Land Transaction Application, specifying the land in question. Some lands will be conveyed only to governmental agencies or other alternate conservation owner with a conservation easement on the parcel retained by the DNR.  Under this process, lands will be conveyed only by sale or exchange at a value determined by appraisal.  No lands will be conveyed under Public Use Deeds for nominal values.

What conditions are involved in transfers of property to units of government?
Some lands will be conveyed only to governmental agencies or other alternate conservation owner with a conservation easement on the parcel retained by the DNR.

Agencies will be required to specify the public purpose that they wish to use the subject property, and if they have land to offer in exchange. The DNR will determine the conditions for conveying the property to the agency, be it exchange or sale.

I am interested in one of the parcels identified by DNR for conveyance. How do I offer a land exchange to the Department?
DNR is primarily interested in exchanging for land inside the new boundaries around our State Forests, State Wildlife and Game Areas, State Parks and Recreation Areas, and possibly adjacent to existing public water access sites.

If you own such a parcel, you may contact the DNR Office of Land and Facilities, Real Estate Services Section to discuss the DNR's potential interest in the land you own (or wish to offer by exchange).

To obtain information about the DNR's land exchange procedures, and explanation of the type of land the DNR is interested in see the contact information at the end of this document.  The DNR reserves the right to consider an exchange proposal at any time, if the exchange is deemed to be in the best interest of the DNR or State of Michigan .

How do I get information about purchasing parcels being sold by the DNR?
All available lands will be posted on the Department's website www.michigan.gov/dnrparcels as to their availability for exchange or purchase, and continue to be posted until disposed.

When will I be able to purchase State-owned land?
Land recommended for exchange or sale will be available at a minimum of 6 months after the DNR Director's final decision. Land auction dates for 2007 are listed below:

2007 SEALED BID AUCTION SCHEDULE

OF PUBLIC LANDS

Auction 1 :  Closed.

Auction 2 :   Bidding closed, bid opening August 21, 2007 

Auction 3 :  Sealed Bid Auction 3 is scheduled for October 15. Bids must be postmarked by Dec. 3, and the bid opening is Dec. 13, 2007.  NOTE: Auction 3 AND Auction 4 are combined into Auction 3 of 2007.

STATE-OWNED LAND CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

1. State-owned land currently available for purchase can be found at www.michigan.gov/landforsale. 
2. If the parcel that you are interested in is not posted, you may wish to review that county's disposal status at www.michigan.gov/dnrparcels

For land exchange and sale questions:

1. Contact the Office of Land and Facilities for questions specific to DNR lands only, please fill out and submit this form.
2. To receive notification of upcoming DNR only auctions click here for instructions.
3. Other State of Michigan departments also dispose of surplus lands.  To find out specific information about lands they may have available, please visit the Surplus Excess Property Sales website. PLEASE NOTE: THIS SITE INCLUDES LANDS ASSOCIATED WITH TAX FORECLOSURES / TAX REVERSIONS.