BLM / FS

Land Transaction Process

Flowchart

4/1/2016
 Land Transaction Processing Steps AD
Abbreviations
Assistant Director (BLM)
ATI Agreement to Initiate Land Exchange
ESA Endangered Species Act
•EXCHANGE (Information above the centerline FLTFA Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act
FO Field Office / District Office (BLM)
applies to Land Exchange processing) FTO Final Title Opinion
HI Historical Index
LR 2000 Legacy Rehost 2000 (BLM Case Recordation)
•PURCHASE / DONATION / CONDEMNATION LWCF Land and Water Conservation Fund
MTP Master Title Plat (BLM)
(Information below the centerline applies to NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing) NLAT National Landownership Adjustment Team (FS)
NOEP Notice of Exchange Proposal
OGC Office of the General Counsel (FS)
PTO Preliminary Title Opinion
LEGEND RO Regional Office (FS)
Pink blocks are centerline – major task groups RF Regional Forester (FS)
SD State Director (BLM)
Blue blocks apply to both BLM and Forest Service (FS)
SNPLMA Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act
Yellow blocks apply to BLM only SO State Office (BLM)
Green blocks apply to FS only WO Washington Office

(1) (3)
(2) (4)
Acquisition / Exchange Proposal Initiated or Preliminary Concurrence (Go-No
Planning Permission for
Received (Pre-application / Pre-proposal Go) – Acquisition Opportunity
Conformance Entry
Discussions) Assessment

4/1/2016 Planning, Programming, Budgeting [18-36 months]

 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

• Establish Case File / CR LR 2000 Entry

(BLM) (Establish Pending Status) BLM • Publish NOEP
• Prepare Feasibility Report Package • Field / Regional Solicitor Review • Execute ATI
• Assess Level of NEPA Documentation • FO / SO Review / SD Concurrence • Initiate Scoping
• Segregate Federal Land (BLM) • WO-350 Review / Director Concurrence • Letters to Public, Local
• Prepare Draft ATI and Draft NOEP Governments, Tribes,
• Review Preliminary Title Evidence Congressional Delegation, R/W
• Assess Third Party Participation Holders, etc.
FS
• Valuation Consultation •RO Feasibility Review / Execute ATI • Publish Notice of Intent for EIS
• Federal Land Status Report Concurrence • Notification of Congressional
• Land Surveyor Report (600 DM 5) Committees (if over $500,000)

(5)
(6) (7)
Relocation
Assessment
Assess Feasibility Concurrence / Approval

Initial Site Inspection • Prepare Letter of Intent (if

Route Analysis (Easements) Project Submitted LWCF applicable)
Project Selected LWCF
Project or Activity Plan (for large projects)
Funds Appropriated LWCF • Prepare Option / Agreement
Assess Third Party Participation Non-LWCF Funding Approved:
•FLTFA (Title II BACA) for Purchase of Land or
•SNPLMA Easement (if necessary)
•Benefiting Subactivity
Donation Report •Notify Congressional Delegation,
(BLM Establish Case in CR LR 2000) Other Parties

4/1/2016 Planning, Programming, Budgeting [18-36 months]

 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

•Environmental Site Assessment / AAI (HazMat) (FS Land Transaction Screening)

•Mineral Report
•Heritage (Cultural / Historic Resources) Inventory
•Water Rights Analysis
•Timber Cruise (Design & Completion)
•Property Survey / Supplemental Plat (if needed)
•T&E / Section 7 ESA Consultation (if needed)
•Floodplains / Wetlands Analysis
•Prepare Certificate of Inspection
•Prepare Certificate of Use and Consent (FS)

(9) (11)
(8) (10)
Prepare Resource Information Gathering & Verification for:
Notify Individuals and Businesses of Request
Reports / Property • Draft Environmental Documentation
Potential Relocation Eligibility Inspections Appraisal
• Appraisal Preparation

•Pre-Acq. Environmental Site Assessment / AAI (HazMat) (FS Land Transaction Screening)
•Establish Case File / LR 2000 Entry (establish Pending Status)
•Order Title Evidence
•Water Rights Analysis
•Property Survey (if needed)
•Prepare Draft Deed & Exhibits
•Baseline Documentation (Conservation Easement)
•Prepare Certificate of Inspection

4/1/2016
Case File / Document Preparation [3-9 months]
 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

FS
•Request PTO
•Agreement on Value •Prepare Title
•Confirm Need and Source of Equalization Payment Docket (file)

BLM
•Arbitration / Bargaining / Other (if necessary) • Request PTO
•Impasse Over Value (Terminate Exchange) •Prepare Draft Patents / Deeds & Exhibits

(12) (13) (14) (15) (16)

Appraisal Review Complete NEPA Landowner / Negotiations / Draft Closing / Escrow
and Approval Documentation Proponent Offer Problem solving Instructions &
Pro-forma Title Policy

BLM • Private Party Executes Option to

• Prepare Letter of Agreement
Publish NEPA Decision Purchase BLM
• Statement of Just Compensation (for • Documentation of Settlement Above
Document (BLM only) •Request PTO
• Appraised Value (Easements)
Access Easement Only)
• Present Draft Deed • Impasse Over Title or Value
• Voucher Certificate / Budget Document (Terminate or Prepare Condemnation FS
Package) •Request PTO
•Donation Acceptance Letter •Prepare Title
•Draft Deed Docket (file)

4/1/2016 Negotiation [2-24 months]

 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

BLM
•Issue Paper
•Field / Regional Solicitor Review / Approval FS
•Draft Notice of Decision •Draft Decision
•Draft Exchange Decision Record •Draft Notice of Decision
•Draft Binding Exchange Agreement (Optional) •Draft Binding Exchange Agreement (Optional)
•Appraisal Summary (Value Equalization) •Appraisal Review

BLM • Issue Decision • Publish Notice of Analyze

FS Record Comments /
• SO / SD Review & Decision (45 Day
•RO Decision Review / • Execute Binding Resolve Protests
Concurrence to Close Comment Period)
Concurrence Exchange Agreement and Appeals
• WO-350 Review & •Weeks Act Oversight • Letters to Public, Local
Director Concurrence to (if appropriate) Gov’ts, Tribes,
Close Congressional Delegation,
R/W Holders, etc.

(17) (18)
OGC / Solicitors Preliminary Title Final Concurrence /
Opinion (PTO) Approval
FS
FS • RO Lands Director
•RO Review Executes Option
•Secretarial / Congressional Oversight (if required) • Letter Approving Purchase
•Request Funds from WO (Send 5400-9 Digest) • Forest Orders Check
Title 4/1/2016
Transfer and Closing [1-3 months]
 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

FS
FS • Request to WO for Equalization Payment (if
•Request BLM to Issue Patents / Deeds for PD Land U.S. Equalization Payment is Necessary)
• Execute Payment Voucher

• Finalize Conveyance Documents

BLM BLM
• Obtain Subordination Agreements; Partial
Execute Voucher Certificate (if U.S. Issue Easements
Releases; Disclaimers; Clearance of Judgements,
Equalization Payment is Necessary) (if applicable)
Other Currative Documents, etc. (if any)
• Establish Escrow Account
Issue Patents / Deeds

(20) (21) (22)

(19)
Execute Escrow / Execute Grantors HazMat Deposit Documents &
Title Clearance
Closing Instructions Certification Payments Into Escrow

• Obtain Subordination Agreements; Partial Releases: Disclaimers;

Clearance of Judgement, Other Currative Documents, etc. (if any)
• Execute Warranty Deed
• Establish Escrow Account
• Execute Final Voucher Certificate / Budget Documents

4/1/2016 Title Transfer and Closing [1-3 months]

 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

Title Vests in United States and BLM

Exchange Proponent and is Accepted Certify Ledger Balance
at Recording (if applicable)

(23) (24) (25) (26)

Final Certificate of Recording and •Final Title Policy Issued Final Title Opinion from
Inspection and Possession Title Transfer •Payment Made OGC / Solicitor

FS BLM
Title Vests in the United States and is Accepted •Title Vests in the United States
Upon Recording •Title Accepted by the United States

Title 4/1/2016
Transfer and Closing [1-3 months]
 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

FS Termination and/or Adjustment to

BLM •Notify BLM of Completion with Federal Land Use Authorization
Comply with Data Standards for Copies of Recorded Deed or Patent Documents (R/W, Easements,
Land Exchange •Request Record Notation etc.)

(27) (28) (29)

Notify Displaced Individuals LR 2000 Data Entry •Record Notation (BLM MTP / HI) & Status
and Businesses Entitlements (Status Authorized) •Acquired Third Party Rights Serialized and Noted
•Complete Transfer of Misc. Legal Interests (e.g. Water Rights,
etc.) To or From Grantor

BLM
Comply with Data Standards for FS
Purchase / Donation •Notify BLM of completion with copies of recorded deed
•Request record notation

Title 4/1/2016
Transfer and Closing [1-3 months] Post Acquisition Actions [ongoing]
 Land Transaction Processing Steps (con’t.)
•Exchange (Information above the centerline applies to Land Exchange processing)
•Purchase / Donation / Condemnation (Information below the centerline applies to Purchase / Donation / Condemnation processing)

FS
• Prepare Permanent Title File
FS
• Send Digest (form 5400-10) to WO for
Post New Forest Boundaries
Accomplishment Report

(31)
(30) (32)
• Letter of Appreciation
Document Real Property Inventory for Management / Compliance
• Schedule News Release or
Improvements
Public Event

Schedule Annual Monitoring / Stewardship

FS of Conservation Easement (if any)
• Prepare Permanent Title File
• Send Digest (form 5400-9) to WO for
Accomplishment Report

4/1/2016
Post Acquisition Actions [on-going]