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('\P "'..:,:J ': ".; ,~ c) t::J 2 5. How Many Acres of Land Will be Purchased for the Project? It is estimated that 11,400 acres of privately owned land will be required for the project. Of that area, approximately 10,700 acres will be acquired in fee title, and approximately 700 acres will be acquired by permanent and temporary easement. 6. Who will Acquire These Necessary Lands? The Bureau, acting for the United States Government through its local project office in Alamosa, Colorado. 7. When will the Lands be Purchased? Consistent with available funds, the Bureau. will acquire lands and rights- of-way to conform to construction schedules. Those areas within Stage 1..,2 " will be acquired first with the remaining areas acquired as time and funds permit through the 10-year construction period. . Unless needed immediately for construction purposes, owners may retain possession of acquired lands long enough to permit the orderly harvesting of crops, shifting of livestock, and completion of permanent moves to new locations. . 8. will Landowners and/or Tenants be Paid Moving Expenses? Under provisions' of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Land Acquisition policies Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-646), both owners and tenants may be entitled to certain reimbursements incurred for certain moving expenses resulting from the project. In addition, relocation assistance and advisory-'services will be provided for displaced persons as .. result of . the ,project . Complete information regarding ,such, payments or' reimburse- ments can be' obtained from the, Bureau's "right-of-way agents or from the local project office. 9. Must a Landowner Remove All Improvements from His Land? This decision is usually 'left to discretion of the landowners. If he wishes to retain all or part of his improvements at the appraised salvage value, he may do so provided that they are moved from the land within a prescribed period of time; otherwise, he will be paid the appraised value of' permanent improvements remaining on the land. These arrangements should be made with the right-of-way agent during negotiations and properly documented in the purchase contract. 10. How Much will be Paid for the Lands Acquired for the Project? The current value of all land and landrights required for 'the p,oject will be determined by professional appraisers following a careful inspection of each individual property based on market value at the time the appraisal is made. Market value has been interpreted by the State and Federal courts to, mean the price agreed upon between a willing buyer and seller, neither being obligated to buy or sell. The law contemplates an "open, arm's-length" transaction, fair and reasonable to all parties.