Michigan DNR Auctioning Surplus-Land in August and September

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing 126 properties for sale via online auctions. River frontage, lake frontage and forested acreage surrounded by private ownership describe some of the parcels that will be available in August and early September.

It may seem counter-intuitive that the DNR should make any land available for sale, but it’s important to note that the public benefit of some properties is severely limited. Factors include lack of legal public access, size limitations that prevent appropriate public use, and development on adjacent privately owned land that impacts hunting.

For those reasons, the DNR determines some properties are more suitable for private ownership. The sale of surplus parcels better suited for private ownership is a regular part of the DNR’s public land strategy. Proceeds from surplus-land sales are deposited into the Land Exchange Facilitation Fund and specifically used to acquire replacement properties that are usable by the public, protect important natural resources and provide accessible, quality recreation opportunities.

Rigorous Review

Parcels selected for public auction don’t make it there without first having gone through an extensive review process, according to Scott Whitcomb, director of the DNR’s Office of Public Lands.

“More than half of the land the DNR manages came to the state due to owners’ nonpayment of taxes, so those parcels were not ones we purposefully sought out and purchased,” he said. “Our land review process is effective in pointing out parcels that don’t fit the department mission to balance conservation, recreation and economic development.”

Michigan DNR manages roughly 4.6 million acres that include state forests, wildlife areas, trails, state forests and more. They host a variety of recreational activities, including hunting, and create jobs, attract tourists and more.

“Before parcels ever get to public auction—a management tool the department has used for several decades—we’ve already evaluated all other options, whether it’s a land exchange for land that’s a better fit, or perhaps a situation where it makes more sense for another governmental agency or conservation group to hold the property,” Whitcomb said.

Such land exchanges yield meaningful additions to the DNR's public land portfolio, which results in better outdoor recreation and conservation outcomes. Since January 2020, more than 80 parcels totaling over 6,500 acres were purchased (through the Land Exchange Facilitation Fund or an LEFF subfund) for public benefit.

Auction Dates and Counties

This year, land is available throughout Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in the following counties: Alger, Allegan, Barry, Genesee, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Kent, Lake, Lapeer, Luce, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Schoolcraft, Washtenaw and Wexford.

Eleven online auctions are scheduled and will feature land parcels by county, starting Aug. 1 and concluding Sept. 5:

• Friday, Aug. 1—Kent and Oceana counties.
• Monday, Aug. 4—Grand Traverse, Lake, Manistee and Wexford counties.
• Thursday, Aug. 7—Lapeer County.
• Monday, Aug. 18—Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties.
• Tuesday, Aug. 19—Gogebic and Marquette counties.
• Thursday, Aug. 21—Washtenaw County.
• Friday, Aug. 22—Mecosta, Midland and Newaygo counties.
• Tuesday, Aug. 26—Barry County.
• Wednesday, Aug. 27—Allegan County.
• Thursday, Aug. 28—Ogemaw, Missaukee and Montmorency counties.
• Friday, Sept. 5—Genesee County.

To Bid

Interested bidders may preregister and get more information about the online auction schedule at tax-sale.info. Anyone who plans to bid on a property must register before the property’s auction date. Absentee bids can be made up to 30 days before an 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. when bidding closes and the winning bidder is determined.

A detailed property list is available and minimum bid, acreage, maps and location information is online. Interested bidders are encouraged to review the DNR Land Sales: Terms and Conditions.