(WWJ) - If you ever wanted some beach front property or acreage up north for hunting and other activities, an online auction of state-managed land that begins next month might be the big break you're looking for.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on Thursday that a total of nine online auctions running from August into the September will feature 95 available land parcels in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
The surplus land sales, which includes lake frontage, river frontage and vacant forested acreage surrounded by private ownership, is part of the DNR's plan to manage 4.6 million acres of public land owned by the people of Michigan.
The land is strewn across more than 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 acutions will commence on the following dates by county:
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,” Whitcomb said. “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.”
Those interested in the property can pre-register and get more information about the online auction schedule at www.tax-sale.info. All bidders must register before a property’s auction date, the DNR said. Absentee bids can be made up to 30 days before the auction.
Officials said the “interactive” bidding part 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," the DNR explained
Bidders can find a detailed list, including minimum bid, acreage, maps and location information of offered properties, at Michigan.gov/LandforSale.
Interested bidders are encouraged to review the DNR Land Sales: Terms and Conditions.
The DNR said the properties up for auction range in size from under an acre to 200 acres. Officials have comprised a list of the following details:
• There are over 20 properties 40 acres or larger available mostly throughout the U.P. and the northern Lower Peninsula.
• Notable waterfront properties that are accessible include a Montcalm County property with frontage on the Flat River (Lot #10074) and two properties in Presque Isle County along the Rainy and Little Rainy rivers (Lot #s 10081 and 10082).
• In addition, notable large-acreage properties that are accessible include a 40-acre property in Chippewa County along South Riverside Drive (Lot #10023), a 35-acre Lake County property along Kings Highway (Lot #10049), a 40-acre parcel in Midland County on the northwest corner of the Gordonville and Alamando Road intersection (Lot #10070), and several properties in Presque Isle County between 40 and 120 acres in size (Lot #s 10081, 10082, 10083 and 10088).
Proceeds from the auction will go towards 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," the DNR added.
Aside from the online auctions, the DNR is also offering properties for sale that were not sold in previous auctions. These properties are available for immediate purchase only via the BuyNow list.
For more information about the sale of surplus, state-managed public land, contact DNR resource specialist Michael Michalek at 517-331-8387.