The Service strives to minimize or eliminate any adverse impact on the landowner due to the acquisition process. However, it cannot pay for realtor brokerage fees or for fees charged by attorneys retained by the landowner. Project boundaries only identify important and sensitive resource areas. Private land remains in the control of the owner until such time as the owner decides to sell the property. Nationally, less that 1 percent of ownerships have been acquired through this type of action.
Emphasis is placed on working with willing sellers.
Although land acquired by the Service is removed from tax rolls, the affected county or other taxing authority receives annual revenue sharing payments. The market value is updated every five years. If refuge receipts are insufficient to allow full payment, the disbursement may be reduced proportionally. Congress may appropriate additional funds to ensure full payments. Refuges can benefit communities in many ways.