Michigan DNR Offers Sale of State-Owned Land from Land Review Project

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October 17, 2007

State-owned land in 12 counties in southern and western Michigan will be offered for sale as a result of the Department of Natural Resources' review of all state-owned property in each county. Counties with parcels offered for sale by auction include Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Wexford.

The DNR is accepting sealed bids on 39 parcels of state-owned land, as part of the department's Land Consolidation Strategy, an on-going review of all state-owned land that is outside the boundaries of a state park, forest, game area or recreation area. Click here for the list of parcels.

Information on the auction, and other land available for purchase, the terms and conditions, and how to submit a bid, is available at the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/landforsale.

Parcel information, bid forms, and offer to purchase forms also are available by sending a request to the Office of Land and Facilities, P.O. Box 30448, Lansing, MI 48909-7948, or by calling 517-373-1240.

Bids on the auction parcels must be postmarked by Dec. 3, 2007. The bid opening will be Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. Parcels are available by auction in the following counties:

Berrien - one parcel in Berrien Township - one parcel in Lincoln Township

Branch - one parcel in Butler Township

Calhoun - one parcel in Convis Township

Cass - one parcel in Calvin Township

Hillsdale - one lot in Amboy Township

Kalamazoo - one parcel in Alamo Township

Mason - two parcels in Branch Township - one parcel in Freesoil Township - three parcels in Hamlin Township - one parcel in Summit Township

Muskegon - approximately 2.9 acres of commercial property in the City of Muskegon, a formal rail corridor 1,200 feet in length, more or less.

Oceana - one parcel in Benona Township - four parcels in Otto Township - six parcels in Pentwater Township

St. Joseph - one parcel in White Pigeon Township

Van Buren - two parcels in Hartford Township - one parcel in Bangor Township - one parcel in Covert Township - four parcels in South Haven Township

Wexford - one parcel in Antioch Township - three parcels in Selma township

Additional parcels also are available for direct purchase in the following counties: Alpena, Charlevoix, Chippewa, Clare, Dickinson, Gladwin, Iosco, Lake, Midland and Oakland. These parcels were offered in previous auctions and not sold. Information on these parcels will be posted on the DNR Web site, under "Sales and Leases," select "Sale of State-owned Land/Direct Land Sale." Information is posted as it becomes available, by early November.

A separate form "Offer to Purchase State-owned Land" is used to request purchase of these parcels. Requests to purchase these properties can be made at any time and are not part of the current auction.

Funds from the sale of state-owned parcels go into a fund from which the DNR can purchase other, more desirable, recreational land. The proceeds from the land sales do not go into the state's General Fund.

"We are pleased with the response to our land consolidation project," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "The land consolidation process has helped the DNR refine our land management strategy. This comprehensive review will ensure that we are using our staff and resources to maximize outdoor recreation opportunities for Michigan citizens, and provide us with funding to acquire land with high natural resource value for future generations." Every seven months, the DNR reviews a group of counties to determine which parcels will be disposed of and which will be retained. These parcels are outside of the new dedicated project boundaries for all state parks, recreation areas, state game and wildlife areas, and state forests. The parcels are classified one of three ways: retention under state ownership and DNR management, offer to another unit of government or an alternative conservation organization or disposal by exchange or sale because the parcel has limited natural resource, recreational or cultural value.

"Additional lands will be available for exchange or purchase in all 83 counties as a result of this review process. We are especially interested in proposals to exchange the lands designated as surplus in exchange for land within our state forests, parks, recreation areas and state game areas. Lands available for exchange are listed on the DNR Web site," said David Freed, chief of the DNR Office of Land and Facilities.

The DNR may reserve mineral rights and aboriginal antiquities on the parcels being sold. The DNR recommends all purchasers do their own research as to suitability of the parcel for the purpose intended, and conduct a personal inspection of the desired parcels. The DNR makes no representation or claims as to fitness for purpose, access, condition or restrictions.

Auction sales of properties in additional counties will be held in 2008. Information on the counties included and parcels to be offered will be posted at www.michigan.gov/landforsale when available, after Jan. 30, 2008.

More information on the DNR's Land Consolidation Strategy is available on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under the "Land Consolidation Strategy" link on the home page.