LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced the sale of almost 100 parcels of land, part of a surplus of land, part  under the agency’s management beginning the beginning of August. 

According to Mike Michalek, Real Estate Services Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the DNR typically holds one round of surplus land auctions every year in the months of August and September through its contractor Title-Check LLC.

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 “The number of properties ranges depending on what has been approved surplus by the DNR director previously. Last year we prepared 180+ properties, this year we have prepared 95,” he said in an email to Michigan News Source. 

Nine online auctions will feature available land parcels by county according to the DNR. 

Aug. 4 – Lake County.

Aug. 10 – Montcalm County.

Aug. 15 – Alger, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.

Aug. 16 – Dickinson County.

Aug. 22 – Oscoda County.

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Aug. 23 – Presque Isle County.

Aug. 29 – Allegan and Kent counties.

Sept. 6 – Midland County.

Sept. 7 – Iosco County.

The parcels which are in areas with private ownership around them don’t come with strings attached but can have some restrictions. 

“Land use restrictions are typically due to the local township or city zoning regulations. These can impact if a property is zoned for building a cabin/home or other permanent structures. DNR normally sells vacant forested land via the public auction(s),” said in an email to Michigan News Source. 

According to the DNR, the “interactive” bidding portion of an auction will open at 10 a.m. on that auction date. Then the bidders will be able to see current high bids for each property and place bids on a property until 7 p.m. that day, when bidding closes and the winning bidder is determined; the funds from the auction will help replenish and upkeep other future parcels and other lands. 

“Auction proceeds will help provide future outdoor recreation opportunities in keeping with the DNR’s mission to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations,” Michalek said in his email. “Commonly these funds are used to purchase replacement lands that are easier for the department to manage and have better recreational opportunities for the general public.” 

Those interested in bidding can check out an interactive map of the parcels here, and also must register here ahead of the auction time and create an account with some personal information. 

“A credit card will be needed and a $1,000.00 hold is placed on the card (not a charge),” Michalek said in an email to Michigan News Source. “This keeps auction integrity for the serious bidders and prevents a party from bidding up a listing and not following through with the purchase.” 

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