MADISON – The Department of Natural Resources is offering five state-owned parcels of land for public sale beginning July 16, 2015.

In June 2014, the Natural Resources Board approved 22 department-owned properties totaling approximately 1,400 acres for public sale. Of these 22 parcels, 15 were land-locked with no legal access from a road and marketed to adjoining landowners. The remaining seven parcels are accessible by a town road, and the first five of these properties are currently posted for bid through the Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction [EXIT DNR]. The bidding process for these parcels will close Aug. 12, 2015 at 10 a.m.

The parcels available for purchase are located in Vilas, Sawyer and Lincoln counties, and range from five to 80 acres. Four of the five properties are forested, while one parcel has been used for agriculture purposes in the past.  These parcels are part of the department’s ongoing sale of surplus state-owned lands.

Land titles may transfer to the successful bidders subject to certain restrictions, including county snowmobile easements, DNR access easements, or “no development” requirements on certain portions of the property.  Each parcel will be sold “as is,” and it is the bidder’s responsibility to determine the condition of the property and its suitability for any private use.  Specific property information, along with maps and photographs can be found on the Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction website [EXIT DNR].

This land sale program is being carried out by the Department in compliance with Wisconsin Act 20 which requires that the Natural Resources Board offer for sale at least 10,000 acres located outside of project boundaries by June 30, 2017.

The sale of select department-owned lands will help resolve key boundary and access issues, realign land ownership with conservation partners and private citizens for more efficient management, and allow the department to work closely with partner and stakeholder organizations to meet common property and conservation goals.

The department’s land sale policy was shaped by public comments received at five informational meetings held throughout the state in October 2013 and by comments received through the public policy page of the DNR website. The Natural Resources Board approved the final policy in December 2013.

For more information regarding the department’s land sale program under Act 20, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “land sales.”