Laserfiche WebLink
Appendix 6 <br />MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />LANDOWNER'S BILL OF RIGHTS <br />State parks, water access sites, wildlife management areas, state forest, fisheries projects, <br />recreational trails, canoe and boating routes, wild and scenic rivers, scientific and natural areas <br />and the State water bank program all provide recreational opportunities for the general public <br />or protection of the State' natural resources. Each of these programs authorizes either the <br />purchase of the fee title to land or the purchase of a lesser interest in land, such as an <br />easement. <br />Selling land to the Department of Natural Resources is in many ways similar to selling it to a <br />private party,. but in other ways is different from standard real estate transactions. Because of <br />the many Federal and State laws that govern land acquisition, it often takes eight months to a <br />year and a half to sell land to the Department of Natural Resources. These laws were <br />designed both to protect private landowners' rights and to assure that public money is well <br />spent to serve the public interest. This letter describes the Department of Natural Resources' <br />land acquisition procedure. Please keep it for future reference. <br />Land Identification <br />I <br />The management programs select the tracts of land which they feel would most help them to <br />carry out their programs. Once your land has Ilbeen identified for purchase, you will be <br />contacted by a Department of Natural Resourcles representative who will explain what your <br />land would be used for if it is purchased and will also explain the land acquisition to you. <br />You are free to decide whether or not to sell your land to the State. If you are willing to <br />consider selling it, the State will have your land appraised and you' will then decide if you <br />want to sell it at the appraised value. If you do not want to sell your land to the State, you <br />are under no obligation to do so. However, you may be contacted again in the future to see if <br />you might have changed your mind. <br />Appraisal Process <br />The State will hire a qualified appraiser to determine the fair market value of your property. <br />You will be invited to accompany the appraiser during his or her inspection of the property, if <br />you so desire. <br />You also have the right to hire and appraiser to provide an independent opinion of value for <br />your property. You will be notified of the deadline for your appraisal to be submitted if you <br />would like it to be reviewed along with the State's appraisal. After the appraisals are . <br />reviewed, a fair market value will be established as just compensation for your If <br />property. <br />your land is purchased by the State, you may be reimbursed up to $500 for the cost of your <br />appraisal providing you submit a copy of that report and a paid receipt for it. It is not <br />necessary for you to submit your appraisal for review in order to be reimbursed for it. <br />Page 20 <br />272 <br />