State-owned land in 23 counties is being offered for sale, as a result of the Department of Natural Resources' review of state-owned property. Counties with parcels offered for sale by sealed bid auction include Arenac, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw.

The auction is part of the DNR's Land Consolidation Strategy, an ongoing review of all state-owned land that is outside the boundaries of a state park, forest, game area or recreation area.

Information on the auction, and other land available for purchase, the terms and conditions, and how to submit a bid, are available at: www.michigan.gov/landforsale.

Parcel information, bid forms, and offer to purchase forms also are available upon request to the Office of Land and Facilities, P.O. Box 30448, Lansing, MI 48909-7948, or by calling (517) 373-1240.

Bids on the parcels to be sold by auction must be postmarked by Monday, June 16, 2008. The bid opening will be Thursday, June 26, 2008. Parcels are available by auction in the following counties:

• Arenac - 1 parcel in Adams Township; 1 parcel in Clayton Township
• Livingston - 3 parcels in Green Oak Township
• Macomb -1 parcel in Harrison Township; 1 parcel in Lennox Township
• Oakland - 1 parcel in Commerce Township; 2 parcels in Highland Township; 1 parcel in Rose Township; 1 parcel in Orion Township; 1 parcel in Springfield Township; 3 parcels in Waterford Township
• St. Clair - 1 parcel in Casco Township; 3 parcels in Clay Township; 1 parcel in Cottrellville Township; 3 parcels in Kimball Township; 1 parcel in Ira Township: 1 parcel in City of Marysville
• Washtenaw - 6 parcels in Northfield Township; 1 parcel in Sylvan Township

Additional parcels also are available for direct purchase in the following counties: Alpena, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Chippewa, Clare, Dickinson, Gladwin, Kalamazoo, Lake, Mason, Midland, Oakland, Oceana, Van Buren, and Wexford. These parcels previously were offered by sealed bid auction and did not sell. Information on these parcels will be posted at: www.michigan.gov/landforsale under "Land Sales" and then listed by county under "Parcels Available for Purchase."

Funds from the sale of state-owned parcels go into a fund from which the DNR can purchase more desirable recreational land. The proceeds from the land sales do not go into the state's General Fund.

"We are pleased with the response to our land consolidation project. Numerous units of government, conservation groups and individual citizens from all over the state have acquired surplus parcels and offered land exchanges to assist us meet our goal of consolidating state-owned lands," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "The land consolidation process has helped the DNR refine our land management strategy. This comprehensive review will ensure that we are using our staff and resources to maximize outdoor recreation opportunities for Michigan citizens and conserving Michigan's natural resources for future generations."

"We have reviewed the final set of counties in this very comprehensive process," Humphries said. "While this has been time-consuming, it also has been rewarding for the department to fully review its land holdings to help determine better uses of our resources to be more effective natural resources managers."

Every seven months since 2004, the DNR reviewed a group of counties to determine which parcels would be disposed of and which would be retained. These parcels are outside of the new dedicated project boundaries for all state parks, recreation areas, state game and wildlife areas, and state forests.

The state reserves aboriginal antiquities and may reserve mineral rights on the parcels being sold. The DNR recommends all purchasers do their own research as to suitability of the parcel for the purpose intended, and conduct a personal inspection of the desired parcels. The DNR makes no representation or claims as to fitness for purpose, access, condition or restrictions.

Additional parcels will be sold by a sealed bid auction held in the fall of 2008. Information will be posted at www.michigan.gov/landforsale when available.

More information on the DNR's Land Consolidation Strategy is available on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under the "Land Consolidation Strategy" link on the home page.