DNR to offer nearly 100 parcels of state-managed land in online auctions

Sault News
·2 min read
This 0.62-acre, forested property with 550 feet of frontage on Lake Superior (no road access) is in Bay Mills Township, Chippewa County.
This 0.62-acre, forested property with 550 feet of frontage on Lake Superior (no road access) is in Bay Mills Township, Chippewa County.

CHIPPEWA COUNTY — Large parcels of land throughout the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula, including in Chippewa County, will be up for bid in August and September through Michigan Department of Natural Resources surplus land auctions.

According to the DNR, surplus land sales are a regular part of the DNR’s strategy to manage 4.6 million acres of public land.

Land is available in a dozen counties, including: Alger, Allegan, Chippewa, Dickinson, Iosco, Lake, Kent, Mackinac, Midland, Montcalm, Oscoda and Presque Isle. Several of the largest parcels are in Alger, Chippewa, Dickinson, Iosco, Midland, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties, while lakefront and riverfront parcels are in Allegan, Chippewa, Iosco, Lake, Montcalm and Presque Isle counties.

The auction schedule is:

  • Aug. 4 – Lake County

  • Aug. 10 – Montcalm County

  • Aug. 15 – Alger, Chippewa and Mackinac counties

  • Aug. 16 – Dickinson County

  • Aug. 22 – Oscoda County

  • Aug. 23 – Presque Isle County

  • Aug. 29 – Allegan and Kent counties

  • Sept. 6 – Midland County

  • Sept. 7 – Iosco County

“Offering state-managed public lands at auction is the final step of a lengthy, ongoing land review process, built on a conservation framework, that ensures these lands’ best use for the benefit of Michigan residents, visitors and natural resources,” said Scott Whitcomb, acting DNR deputy director. “Many of the sale parcels are forested or have road frontage, but are better suited for private ownership for a number of reasons. Much of the land is isolated from other DNR-managed property, and that can create management challenges. Other parcels are included for auction because they offer limited public opportunities for quality outdoor recreation experiences.”

How bidding works

Interested bidders may pre-register and get more information about the online auction schedule at tax-sale.info. All bidders must register before a property’s auction date. Absentee bids can be made up to 30 days before the auction.

The “interactive” bidding portion of an auction will open at 10 a.m. on that auction date. At that time, bidders will be able to see current high bids for each property. Bidders can continue to place bids on a property until 7 p.m. that day, when bidding closes and the winning bidder is determined.

A detailed list including minimum bid, acreage, maps and location information of offered properties can be found at Michigan.gov/LandforSale. Interested bidders are encouraged to review the DNR Land Sales: Terms and Conditions.

DNR officials said auction proceeds will help provide future outdoor recreation opportunities.

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: DNR to offer nearly 100 parcels of state-managed land in online auctions