DIVISION'S MISSION & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Real Estate Division provides comprehensive planning, acquisition assistance and management of real estate required for the District's Civil Works missions, which include hydropower, navigation, flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration projects. The Real Estate Division continues to provide extensive support to our nation’s military through participation in CREST, the Contingency Real Estate Support Team, to acquire leases for personnel and logistical purposes. Within the Portland District, which constitutes the majority of the state of Oregon, the Real Estate Division disposes of real property in excess of Districts needs. Another important mission is the support of the District in emergency or natural disaster recovery and restoration. Finally, we provide support to the District by preparing and processing Permanent Change of station (PCS) for civilian personnel when they conduct personal real estate transactions related to job moves.
The Division has extensive experience in assisting project planning when a non-Federal sponsor will be providing acquired lands or easement tracts required for project purposes. Our staff is trained in acquisitions, which are generally accomplished through direct purchase, lease or condemnation. Procurement of title evidence, generation of curative deeds or documents, implementation of the Uniform Real Property Acquisition Policy for relocation assistance (P.L. 91-646) and final closing of the sale are just a few of the areas of our expertise. A significant responsibility is the support of the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) Program. Cost share type programs with non-federal sponsors are a major focus with changes implemented by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (amended). The Real Estate Division plays an important role in the negotiation of the agreement, evaluation of the sponsor’s partnership capability, and guiding the sponsor through the Real Estate planning and acquisition process.
The Real Estate Division is involved in planning projects by providing: land value, relocation, and administrative estimates for project studies to be used, in part, to determine cost vs benefit ratios for flood damage reduction projects or for credit purposes to be provided to the sponsor for virtually all types of projects.
The Real Estate Division is also involved in preparing real estate plans for draft feasibility project cooperation agreements and works closely with the office of counsel during the preparation of the final Project Cooperation Agreements. Agreements between the Corps and local sponsors define the sponsor's responsibility for land acquisition and other legal requirements for the projects.
The Real Estate Division currently enjoys a considerable amount of work in the administration and issuance of real estate interests to public and private individuals. The Division provides expert support for the development and management of Civil Works lands. We advertise and issue commercial concessions, Public Park and Recreational leases. We resolve encroachment and trespass issues and coordinate and approve requests by public entities to annex Portland District lands.
Finally, the Division is responsible for the ultimate sale or transfer of real estate no longer required for the District’s Civil Works mission. This is accomplished through advertising, negotiated sales, auctions and excessing through the General Services Administrative.
The Real Estate Division has unparalleled ability to acquire, manage, and dispose of the assets within the Portland District. We pride ourselves on the ability to resolve a multitude of unique land acquisition, management or disposal issues.