20. The Appraisal Unit—Area of Responsibility
The Appraisal Unit assists the Land Acquisition Section in
advising the Department's divisions or bureaus, and other agencies
of the government, with respect to all matters relating to the
evaluation of real and personal property. In particular, the Unit
handles questions of appraising for just compensation as it relates
to the law of federal land acquisition. The Unit's analyses of
appraisal reports result in settlement recommendations in
condemnation cases and critiques as to the adequacy of appraisals
for support of just compensation, or for use in trial. It furnishes
recommendations as to the approval or disapproval of the employment
of appraisers and the amount of appraisal fees to be obligated by
the Department. The Appraisal Unit also assists the personnel of
the Environment and Natural Resources Division, as well as U.S.
Attorneys and field attorneys, and acquiring agencies, in arranging
for the employment of expert witnesses, such as appraisers,
engineers, hydrologist s, etc., who are required to participate in
establishing just compensation for land or property being acquired
by the United States or in defending claims against the United
States involving real or personal property. The employment by the
Environment and Natural Resources Division of such experts and
their remuneration, as well as the manner in which appraisals are
made and reports are to be prepared, are referred to the Unit for
review and approval.
In their role as in-house valuation experts of the Environment
and Natural Resources Division, the members of the Appraisal Unit
are, when requested, prepared to confer with the U.S. Attorneys in
the field, inspect properties and assist in any case or situation
wherein their services are needed or desirable.
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