Source: https://www.justice.gov/usam/usam-5-15000-land-acquisition-section
Timestamp: 2018-02-23 12:58:50
Document Index: 291478130

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3114', '§ 50', '§ 2042', '§ 3117', '§ 3117', '§ 4654']

5-15.000 - Land Acquisition Section | USAM | Department of Justice
5-15.201 Statutes Administered
5-15.300 Supervision and Handling of Land Acquisition Section Cases—Direct Referral Cases
5-15.511 Rule 71A, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
5-15.514 Division Programs to Expedite Handling of Condemnation Cases
5-15.534 Title Evidence—Title Company Liability
5-15.535 Title Evidence—Certification of Ownership
5-15.536 Certificates as to Parties in Possession and Mechanics' Liens
5-15.537 Final Title Evidence
5-15.556 Reimbursement in Certain Cases for Moving, Relocation and Related Expenses
Prior approval requirements for the Land Acquisition Section are set forth in USAM 5-2.000.
Title Unit. The Title Unit prepares opinions of title for land acquired by the United States by purchase pursuant to the provisions of 40 U.S.C. § ;3111.
5-15.201 - Statutes Administered
Act of August 1, 1888, c. 728, § ;1, 25 Stat. 357, as amended, 40 U.S.C. § ;3113 (Condemnation Act);
Act of February 26, 1931, c. 307, § ;1, 46 Stat. 1421, 40 U.S.C. § 3114 (Declaration of Taking Act);
Rule 71A, Fed.R. Civ.P.;
16 D.C. Code §§ ;1351-1368 (1973 ed.) (federal land acquisition in the District of Columbia);
Joint Resolution of September 11, 1841, 5 Stat. 468, as amended, 40 U.S.C. § ;3111 (Examination of Title Act).
5-15.300 - Supervision and Handling of Land Acquisition Section Cases—Direct Referral Cases
Actions to acquire land may not be initiated by a United States Attorney except upon their referral to him/her by the Attorney General, through the Land Acquisition Section. In other words, land acquisition cases may not be referred directly to United States Attorneys by acquiring agencies.
The extent to which a United States Attorney is responsible for handling any condemnation case is determined by the Land Acquisition Section. Condemnation matters are classified into two categories, as described at USAM 5-15.321 and 5-15.322. A case may be reclassified at any time due to changed circumstances.
Category 1 consists of cases in which there are no actual or anticipated policy questions, peculiar appraisal problems, novel legal questions, or claimed compensation in excess of $1,000,000. United States Attorneys will have full responsibility for Category 1 cases, subject only to:
For any reason, the compromise of a particular claim, as a practical matter, will control or adversely influence the disposition of related claims totaling an amount in excess of $1,000,000; or
The United States Attorney should send copies of court papers to the Land Acquisition Section for information, comment, and suggestions as the case proceeds, and should cooperate in the reasonable implementation of all suggestions made.
5-15.511 - Rule 71A, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Under the Declaration of Taking Act and Rules 71A(c)(2) and (j), Fed.R. of Civ.P., the court may order that the money deposited as estimated compensation, or any part thereof, shall be paid forthwith to the rightful claimant. The purpose of the Declaration of Taking Act is, first, to give the government title to and possession of the land and to relieve the government of the burden of interest accruing on the amount of the deposit, and second, and of equal importance, to make funds available for immediate distribution to the former owner in the discretion of the court.
In furtherance of this purpose and in accordance with Rule 71A(j), Fed.R. of Civ.P., United States Attorneys are required actively to assist landowners and the court, as amici curiae in effecting prompt distribution of funds deposited pursuant to the Declaration of Taking Act. Detailed instructions with respect to distribution are set forth in the ENRD Resource Manual at 13.
5-15.514 - Division Programs to Expedite Handling of Condemnation Cases
The Division has developed a program called the "Nine-Point Program for Settlement or Trial Within a Year" as a means of expediting the handling of condemnation cases. Details with respect to this program are set forth in the ENRD Resource Manual at 2. United States Attorneys are urged to become familiar with this program and to the fullest extent possible to process land acquisition cases in their districts in this methodical way.
The Division issued a memorandum dated June 6, 1980, to all United States Attorneys, announcing the Department of Justice policy favoring consent to trial of land condemnation cases by United States Magistrates in appropriate circumstances, as defined in 28 U.S.C. § 50.11. The policy furthers the goals of the Federal Magistrates Act of 1979 (Pub.L. 96-82) and will also serve to expedite trial in appropriate circumstances. All attorneys in the United States Attorneys' offices are encouraged to seek the consent of parties to trials, either by a magistrate or by a jury presided over by a magistrate, in appropriate cases. For a detailed statement of the Division's policy in this regard, see the ENRD Resource Manual at 3.
The Land Acquisition Section must be informed promptly of all major steps taken in each case, such as the entry of scheduling orders, the dates of all trials and hearings and the results thereof, and the filing by the United States Attorney and any defendant of a notice of appeal or a motion for new trial. It is essential that there be strict observance of the foregoing rule.
The United States Attorney shall transmit to the Land Acquisition Section, at the stages of the case hereinafter designated, successive partial transcripts to be combined at the conclusion of the case into a complete transcript of record. No documents included in one transcript need be duplicated in any subsequent transcript.
Initial Transcript. Upon the institution of the case there shall be transmitted to the Land Acquisition Section an initial transcript, which shall contain the following documents:
One copy of the complaint (see ENRD Resource Manual at 24 or 25);
One copy of the notice of condemnation (see ENRD Resource Manual at 27);
If a declaration of taking is filed, one copy of the dated receipt of the clerk of the court for the money deposited as estimated compensation;
If an order of possession (see ENRD Resource Manual at 44) is obtained, one copy of the order;
One copy of any other papers filed in connection with the institution of the case; and
One copy evidencing recordation of the declaration of taking and/or lis pendens in the local land records.
One copy of the judgment together with a copy of the letter of transmittal if the judgment has been transmitted with a request for payment of a deficiency amount to the local representative of the acquiring agency as authorized at USAM 5-15.582;
One copy of all papers of whatever nature filed in the case prior to and including the date of entry of the judgment (but excluding copies of papers included in transcripts previously transmitted to the Land Acquisition Section);
The evidence of title, properly continued, see USAM 5-15.533; and
The certificate as to parties in possession and mechanics' liens. See USAM 5-15.536.
When an intermediate transcript is transmitted to the Land Acquisition Section, the United States Attorney should state in the letter of transmittal that the transcript constitutes, or when combined with partial transcripts previously transmitted will constitute, a complete transcript of the record of the case to date. If there is no deficiency the intermediate transcript may be combined with the final transcript.
One copy of the initial judgment, unless copies of the judgment were previously transmitted to the Land Acquisition Section with the intermediate transcript;
One copy of the dated receipt of the clerk of the court for any additional money deposited pursuant to a judgment determining compensation;
The evidence of title, properly continued as provided in USAM 5-15.533;
Evidence that distribution or retention by the court clerk for five years pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2042 has been ordered of all funds which have been deposited in court by the government; and
One copy of the final judgment vesting title in the United States.
[cited in USAM 5-15.536; ENRD Resource Manual 19] [updated July 2004]
United States Attorneys will be advised when they have been authorized by the Land Acquisition Section under delegation of the Attorney General to acquire land on behalf of a federal agency. Accompanying the authorization to the United States Attorney to acquire the land will usually be the following documents:
A copy of the government official's letter to the Attorney General requesting the institution of condemnation proceedings, and citing the authority for the taking;
In cases where a declaration of taking is to be filed, a check for the estimated compensation, or instructions indicating how the check may be obtained; and
Advice as to classification of the case and division of responsibility for the prosecution of the case between the United States Attorney and attorneys in the Land Acquisition Section. SeeUSAM 5-15.300 et seq.
Prepare the documents described in the ENRD Resource Manual at 5; and
The procedure for summary judgements under Rule 56, Fed. R. Civ. P., should be utilized in obtaining the entry of consent judgements on options and contracts of sale, but only after the expiration of the time for filing of answers or appearance by defendants, see USAM 5-15.540 and 5-15.542.
[cited in ENRD Resource Manual 7; ENRD Resource Manual 11] [updated July 2004]
In conclusion with the institution of condemnation proceedings, a notice of the pendency of the action, sometimes called a lis pendens shall be filed or recorded among the proper local records, except in any juridiction where the law is settled that the commencement of the action is notice to all persons affected. If more than one county or other recording jurisdiction is involved, a separate notice is necessary for each.
[cited in USAM 5-15.530; USAM 5-15.537; ENRD Resource Manual 5; ENRD Resource Manual 6; ENRD Resource Manual 7] [updated July 2004]
Service of the notice of condemnation must be made in accordance with Rules 4(c) and (d), Fed.R. of Civ.P. A copy of the complaint need not be served with the notice of condemnation.The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (54 Stat. 1178), as amended, is in full force and effect and is applicable to condemnation cases. The United States Attorney must investigate to determine whether any defendant who has not answered or filed an appearance is in military service with the Armed Forces or is in public Health Service on duty with the Armed Forces. The United States Attorney must comply strictly with the provisions of the Act by filing necessary affidavits and moving for the appointment of an attorney ad litem, when required.
[cited in ENRD Resource Manual 2; ENRD Resource Manual 7; ENRD Resource Manual 8] [updated July 2004]
Where a declaration of taking has been filed, United States Attorneys must comply with instructions from the Land Acquisition Section requesting the entry of an order for the surrender of possession of property to the government. See ENRD Manual at 44. Unless the property is vacant the acquiring agency should be requested to advise that the necessary 90 days' written notice has been given of the date by which possession is required if any person lawfully occupying the property shall be required to move from a dwelling or to move his/her business or farm operation, as required by Section 301(5) of Public Law 91-646, approved January 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1905. Notice of the entry of the order (ENRD Resource Manual at 44), and of the date provided therein for the surrender of possession are controlled by Rules 5 and 77(d), Fed.R. Civ.P. Service of a copy of the order should be made upon the person in possession of the land in accordance with Rule 5(b), Fed.R. of Civ.P., or service should be made in the manner and within the time directed by the court in the order.
If the party in possession refuses to surrender possession as provided in the order, application should be made, in accordance with Rule 70, Fed.R. Civ.P., for a writ of assistance to put the government in possession. Application for a citation in contempt under Rule 70 should not be made without the prior approval of the Land Acquisition Section.
[cited in ENRD Resource Manual 5] [updated July 2004]
Rule 71A(c), Fed.R. Civ.P., provides that there shall be named defendants in condemnation cases all persons having or claiming an interest in the property condemned whose names can be ascertained by a reasonably diligent search of the local land records, considering the character and value of the property involved and the interest or estate to be acquired. Persons having an interest in property include those owning an estate in the land (e.g., fee owner, lessee, tenant) and those having a lien or encumbrance on the land (e.g., mortgagee, taxing authority, material person, mechanic). Evidence of title must, therefore, be obtained and examined for a determination of the necessary and proper parties defendant. Persons having (or claiming) an interest in the property at the time of the commencement of record notice, see 5-15.524 are necessary parties and must be joined in the action as defendants. By joining as defendants all persons disclosed by the title evidence as having a possible interest in the property as of the commencement of record notice, and, in the course of proceedings, by giving those parties notice and opportunity to be heard at the trial or hearing on just compensation, due process will have been afforded and the final judgment will be res judicata as to those parties. If the United States secures a judgment of condemnation fixing compensation and ordering distribution to the wrong person or to fewer than all persons entitled thereto, the party having a compensable interest who was omitted from the proceedings has been denied due process and is entitled to bring an action against the United States for just compensation. The United States may thus be compelled to pay twice for the same acquisition. Where the interest of the omitted party was a matter of record but was not disclosed by the title evidence, the United States may recover its loss from the title company or abstracter up to the limit of liability. See USAM 5-15.534.
[cited in USAM 5-15.536; ENRD Resource Manual 4] [updated July 2004]
In condemnation proceedings the necessary evidence of title is made available to the Department by the acquiring agency. Since title insurance is the most commonly used form of title evidence, it is likely that the initial or preliminary title evidence will be in the form of a title commitment or binder, and the final title evidence (see USAM 5-15.533) will be in the form of a title insurance policy. However, other forms of title evidence, such as abstracts or Certificates of Title (see ENRD Resource Manual at 48), are also acceptable. Copies of recorded documents reported may accompany the commitment, or if not, may be requested. Detailed guidelines for the preparation of title evidence in land acquisitions by the United States of America are found in the Title Standards 2001, a copy of which may be found on the Internet at: http://www.justice.gov/enrd/Legal_Topics/Legal_Docs_Title_Standards.html. Attention is directed to Section 7. Title Evidence for Condemnation Cases.
The evidence of title must be continued to a date subsequent to the recordation of the lis pendens or declaration of taking. On the basis of information, if any, disclosed by the continuation of the evidence of title, and the certificate of inspection and possession (see USAM 5-15.536), any additional parties shown by the continuation to have, or who may claim to have, any interest in the estate taken must be joined as defendants in the case, and any changes in the naming of necessary and proper parties defendant must be effected. The procedure for adding, dropping, or substituting parties is by motion and order under Rules 21 and 71A(g) and (i)(3), Fed.R. Civ.P. An amended complaint need not be filed. Detailed instructions with respect to continuing title evidence are set forth in the ENRD Resource Manual at 7.
[cited in USAM 5-15.516; ENRD Resource Manual 2] [updated July 2004]
5-15.534 - Title Evidence—Title Company Liability
Title evidence, in addition to being properly continued, must also comply with the Department's requirements with respect to the limitation of the title company's liability.
Generally, certificates of title (ENRD Resource Manual at 48), and title insurance policies shall not limit the liability of the title company to a sum less than 50% of the reasonable value of the property. As to acquisitions valued at more than $100,000, the limitation of liability of the issuing title company under the certificate of title or title insurance policy may be limited to 50% of the first $100,000 and 25% of that portion of the value in excess of that amount.
The "reasonable value of the property," in the context of condemnation proceeding, is the amount awarded as just compensation in the judgment. Where the title company has limited its liability to a sum substantially less than that permitted, an endorsement to the certificate or policy must be obtained from the title company providing for an acceptable amount of coverage. (Reasonable compliance with the requirements as to the percentage limitation of liability is all that is required.)
Recitations in the title evidence that the limitation of liability is "as per agreement," "to be agreed upon," or the like, are unsatisfactory. In such instances it will be necessary to obtain an endorsement providing adequate coverage in a stated dollar amount. Title evidence that does not state dollar amounts of coverage, but states that coverage is in "the amount of the award" or a stated percentage (not less than permitted) of the award, is acceptable.
[cited in USAM 5-15.530] [updated October 2001]
5-15.535 - Title Evidence—Certification of Ownership
It is essential that the title evidence disclose the names of the persons in whom title was vested at the time of commencement of notice. See USAM 5-15.530. This should present no problem in cases instituted by complaint only.
In cases in which a declaration of taking has been filed and the declaration itself has been recorded, the continued evidence of title typically recites that title to the property as of the effective date thereof is vested in the United States of America, followed by an appropriate reference to the recordation of the declaration. However, such a recitation must also be accompanied by a statement that, prior to the filing for record of the declaration, title was vested in a named person or persons. An example of satisfactory wording which might appear in Schedule A of a title policy when a Declaration of Taking has been filed is as follows:
Title to the estate or interest in the land is vested in: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Immediately prior to the acquisition of title by the United States, title was vested in John Everyman and his wife, Matilda, as tenants by the entirety, by a deed dated December 6, 1999, recorded December 7, 1999, in Book 1156, page 138, among the land records of Fairfax County, Virginia.
Without such a certification by the title company as to prior ownership, it cannot be ascertained whether actual last record owner of the property has been made a defendant in the action.
Schedule B of the final policy must include a reference to the recorded declaration of taking, judgment or notice of lis pendens. It should also include exceptions to all other matters which affect the land, including those previously revealed in the commitment and those which were discovered of record subsequent to the effective date of the commitment but prior to the time of the recording of the declaration of taking or lis pendens. If matters revealed in the commitment were released or otherwise satisfied of record before the filing of the lis pendens, they may be deleted from the final title policy. Any new parties in interest revealed by the updated title evidence should be joined in the action.
5-15.536 - Certificates as to Parties in Possession and Mechanics' Liens
In order to insure the joinder as defendants in the condemnation case of all parties who have, or who may claim to have, any right or interest in the property involved, whether or not such right or interest is disclosed by the evidence of title, the United States Attorney should obtain a certificate showing (a) whether any party is in actual or constructive possession of all or any part of the land whose rights, if any, are not a matter of record, and (b) whether within the period provided by local law there has been any work or labor performed upon the property or any material furnished in connection with any work upon the property which would entitle anyone to a lien. Generally, the necessary certificate of inspection may be obtained from the local representative of the acquiring agency or the custodian for the government of the property. The certificate should conform substantially with that set out in the ENRD Resource Manual at 47. All or any number of the tracts or parcels of land in a particular case may be included in one certificate of inspection, if more convenient than using a separate certificate for each tract.
All parties disclosed by the certificate as to possession and mechanics' liens to have an interest in the property involved must be joined as defendants in the case as provided at USAM 5-15.530.
When submitting a final transcript (see USAM 5-15.516) to the Land Acquisition Section, the title evidence is incomplete unless it includes a certificate of parties in possession and mechanics' liens.
[cited in USAM 5-15.516; USAM 5-15.533] [updated July 2004]
5-15.537 - Final Title Evidence
The final title evidence submitted to the Land Acquisition Section must satisfy the following requirements:
The original title evidence must be continued to the date of commencement of lis pendens or other notice filed in the local land records, USAM 5-15.524;
Updated title evidence may be in the form of a title insurance policy, supplemental title certificate or continuation abstract. For land located throughout the United States, except Texas, a title policy must be on an American Land Title Insurance (ALTA) U.S. Policy - 9/28/91 form. For land located in Texas, a title policy must be on a Texas Land Title Association (TLTA) U.S. Policy T-11 form, which may be endorsed by a TLTA Endorsement form T-12.
[cited in USAM 5-15.523; ENRD Resource Manual 9] [updated July 2004]
If a defendant does not object to the taking, but merely wishes to appear in the cause to assure notice of any future action to be taken therein, the United States Attorney may suggest that he/she file a notice of appearance.
[cited in USAM 5-15.523] [updated July 2004]
It may occasionally be to the advantage of all concerned to modify or change the estate being condemned. The Land Acquisition Section should be informed promptly of any suggestions which either the United States Attorney or the property owners may have concerning modification, alteration, or change of the estate or description of the property to be condemned, but no alteration of the pleadings may be made except upon receipt of appropriate authorization from the Land Acquisition Section.
[cited in USAM 5-15.650] [updated July 2004]
The Attorney General is authorized in any condemnation case to stipulate on behalf of the United States to revest in the landowner title to any property or any part thereof or interest therein which may have been taken by the United States by declaration of taking (40 U.S.C. § 3117). See USAM 5-15.512. The necessity for the revestment of property acquired by declaration of taking generally occurs in two classes of cases:
[cited in USAM 5-15.545; USAM 5-15.650] [updated July 2004]
The authority of United States Attorneys to enter into revestments is governed by the nature of the property to be excluded (see USAM 5-15.544), but in the event of any question, specific instructions should be obtained from the Land Acquisition Section. Detailed instructions with respect to the exclusion or dismissal of land from proceedings are set forth in the ENRD Manual at 10.
A stipulation relating to the removal of property not needed by the government, see USAM 5-15.544, should also contain a provision limiting the time for removal by the owner of the property and providing that if the owner fails to remove the property within the prescribed time, the stipulation shall be of no force and effect.
Rule 71(h), Fed.R. Civ.P., provides that any party to a condemnation case may have a trial by a jury on the issue of just compensation by filing a demand therefor unless the court in its discretion orders that, because of the character, location or quantity of the properties to be condemned, or for other reasons in the interest of justice, the issue of just compensation should be determined by a commission of three persons appointed by the court. The rule further provides that trial of all issues shall otherwise be by the court.
Following review of the appraisal submitted by the acquiring agency with the case referral and the Land Acquisition Section Appraisal Review Unit's comments regarding that appraisal, a United States Attorney may find it necessary or adviseable to retain the services of an independent appraiser. Land Acquisition Section attorneys and review appraisers may be consulted for recommendation of possible candidates.
[cited in ENRD Resource Manual 12] [updated July 2004]
United States Attorneys are required to actively assist landowners and the court, as amicus curiae, in effecting prompt distribution of funds deposited into the registry of the court as just compensation. Copies of all orders of distribution (ENRD Resource Manual at 41) should be promptly transmitted to the Land Acquisition Section. Rule 71(j), Fed.R. Civ.P., which relates to distribution, provides that the court and attorneys shall expedite the proceedings for distribution and for the ascertainment and payment of just compensation in cases in which a deposit is made. Government counsel should obtain promptly and furnish to the court all information available as to the state of the title to the property and any liens, taxes, and encumbrances thereon. Government counsel should also assist landowners in the preparation of motions for, and orders of, distribution, see ENRD Resource Manual at 33 and 41, and affidavits for execution by the claimants in support of motions for distribution. Care should be taken to see that a proper order is entered for the payment of all taxes and assessments due and exigible at the time of vesting of title in the United States. Unless serious doubt exists as to the real ownership of the property, government counsel should not delay distribution of just compensation for any extended period for the procurement of curative material for the elimination of defects of title but should rely upon the condemnation procedure for that purpose. Instructions with respect to procedures in disbursing funds deposited in court are set forth in the ENRD Resource Manual at 13.
[cited in ENRD Resource Manual 13] [updated July 2004]
[cited in USAM 5-15.650; ENRD Resource Manual 10] [updated July 2004]
The usual course of action, when awards materially exceed the government's testimony, is to move for a new trial, where the award was made by a jury, or to object to the award made by a commission.Procedures for United States Attorneys to follow with respect to motions for new trials and objections to a commission's award are set forth in the ENRD Resource Manual at 14.
[cited in USAM 5-15.516] [updated July 2004]
In any case where he/she believes substantial error has been committed, the United States Attorney shall immediately advise the Land Acquisition Section and give his/her recommendations regarding appeal.
Send one copy of the order of the court to the Land Acquisition Section.
Unless otherwise instructed, file a protective notice of appeal just prior to the expiration of the time within which such notice may be filed, but not before then. This is to allow the Department the benefit of the full period of time for appeal to study the case and reach a decision. A copy of the notice of appeal should be forwarded to the Land Acquisition Section immediately after filing.
The Department will advise the United States Attorney whether to order the transcript of testimony. Note the instructions at USAM 5-8.000 and in USAM Title 2, regarding the handling of appeals.
Except as set forth in USAM 5-15.620 no case under the jurisdiction of the Land Acquisition Section may be settled or dismissed without specific or delegated authority from the Attorney General.
[cited in USAM 5-5.210; USAM 5-8.600]
Settlement should never be sought for statistical purposes. Where settlement negotiations lead to an offer in any case that is deemed by the condemnation attorney to be a reasonable reflection of fair market value, in light of the pertinent appraisal reports, the risks and costs of trial and the effect of the settlement upon other pending cases, he/she is encouraged to consummate the settlement with dispatch, if it is within his/her authority to do so (see USAM 5-15.630), or to furnish the settlement offer to the Land Acquisition Section for approval (see USAM 5-15.640).
[cited in USAM 5-15.600; ENRD Resource Manual 11] [updated July 2004]
The United States Attorneys are authorized, subject to the limitations imposed in USAM 5-15.631, to accept or reject offers in compromise, without the prior approval of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, of claims against the United States for just compensation in condemnation proceedings in any case in which:
The gross amount of the proposed settlement does not exceed $1,000,000.
The settlement is approved in writing (the written approval to be retained in the file of the United States Attorney concerned) by the authorized field representative of the acquiring agency if the amount of the settlement exceeds the amount deposited with the declaration of taking as to the particular tract of land involved;
The amount of the settlement is compatible with the sound appraisal, or appraisals, upon which the United States would rely as evidence in the event of trial, due regard being had for probable minimum trial costs and risks; and
The case does not involve the revestment of any land or improvements or any interest, or interests, in land under the Act of October 21, 1942, 56 Stat. 797 (40 U.S.C. § 3117).
[cited in USAM 5-15.620; USAM 5-15.640; ENRD Resource Manual 2; ENRD Resource Manual 17; ENRD Resource Manual 18] [updated July 2004]
The United States Attorney's authority to settle land acquisition cases may not be exercised when:
Because a novel question of law or a question of policy is presented, or for any other reason, the offer should, in the opinion of the officer or employee concerned, receive the personal attention of the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; or
If any of the conditions listed above exists, the matter shall be submitted for resolution to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, in care of the Land Acquisition Section.
[cited in USAM 5-15.630] [updated July 2004]
Every offer of compromise in a condemnation case, with the exception of those offers within the authority of the United States Attorney to accept or reject (see USAM 5-15.630), which the United States Attorney considers may be recommended for acceptance must be submitted to the Department for consideration and acceptance or rejection. The United States Attorney shall submit to the Land Acquisition Section with the offer in compromise:
His/her recommendation;
The range of the government's proposed testimony of value in event of trial;
The probable range of testimony on behalf of the landowner insofar as known;
All available appraisal reports; and
A statement of all other factors pertinent to a determination of the advisability of accepting or rejecting the proposed settlement.
[cited in USAM 5-15.620] [updated July 2004]
Condemnation cases must not be dismissed as to any of the land included in the instructions to condemn, nor may there be any change as to the interest or estate to be acquired unless expressly authorized by the Land Acquisition Section. (see USAM 5-15.543 and 5-15.544). Orders of dismissal must be entered without prejudice. In the absence of a stipulation with the property owner in which he/she waives the right to costs, the federal court may award to the owner of any right, title or interest in such real property such sum as will in the opinion of the court reimburse such owner for his/her reasonable costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraisal, and engineering fees, actually incurred because of the condemnation proceeding, if the proceeding is abandoned by the United States. See Section 304(a), Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, 42 U.S.C. § 4654 (see USAM 5-15.556). The procedure for dismissal is set forth in Rule 71A(i), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See the ENRD Resource Manual at 31 for forms of stipulation and order.
The selection and approval of competent, well-qualified appraisers and other experts for use at trial should be a joint effort of the litigating attorney and the Appraisal Unit. Where full cooperation is not being received from an acquiring agency in regard to the employment of experts, the matter should be referred to the Land Acquisition Section for resolution.