Section 85-04-07-02 - Requirements of saleAny sale of original grant lands, with the exception of tracts provided in subsection 1 of section 85-04-07-01 is subject to the following:
1. The proposed sale would result in no net loss of leasable original grant lands;2. The applicant agrees to provide accessible and leasable land equal or greater in acres and value to the trust from which the original grant lands were sold, for which the department then shall consider the criteria listed below in subsections a through f in any no net loss sale. Land provided for a no net loss sale is not required to satisfy all six criteria outlined below.a. Equal or greater value.(1) In connection with any no net loss sale the department may use information, provided by the applicant or the department's own knowledge, regarding lands and resources to estimate value for purposes of a preliminary evaluation, including completion of an environmental assessment. The commissioner shall procure appraisals in accordance with North Dakota Century Code sections 15-06-22 and 15-06-23, and shall request additional appraisals be completed by a certified appraiser, to determine the value of the trust lands and the proposed no net loss sale land. The same appraiser shall conduct appraisals of the trust lands and the proposed no net loss sale land. In the event the commissioner is not satisfied with the appraisals, the commissioner may require additional appraisals by alternative certified appraisers. (2) The department shall advise the appraiser regarding the scope of work to ensure the value of the trust lands is determined by the highest and best use of the land, not simply the present use. For example, if a no net loss sale is proposed in which the trust lands are currently leased for grassland but the land is in the path of residential, commercial, or industrial development, the trust lands must be appraised for the highest and best use for residential, commercial, or industrial development rather than its current use as grassland.(3) The department shall consider features not reflected in the market price that are difficult to assign a monetary value, including location, proximity to public lands, recreational opportunities, scenery, other amenities, and results of cultural resources inventories in evaluating the relative value of trust lands.b. Equal or greater income to the trusts. A no net loss sale must result in the board receiving equal or greater income to the trusts. The projected income for the proposed no net loss sale land will be estimated using the board's minimum lease rate. The minimum lease rate for the proposed no net loss sale land will be compared to the present income received by the trusts from the trust lands, including all current and potential future revenue streams from surface leases, encumbrances, development of natural resources, and other sources, and any tax liability.c. Acreage. A no net loss sale should result in the board receiving equal or greater acreage. The board may, however, consider receiving less acreage in return for one or more of the following: (1) Improved dedicated access;(2) Substantially higher value; or(3) Substantially higher income.d. Consolidation of trust lands. The proposed no net loss sale must not fragment trust land holdings by creating isolated parcels of trust land. In all no net loss sales, the board shall reserve all minerals underlying the trust lands pursuant to section 5 of article IX of the Constitution of North Dakota subject to applicable law.e. Potential for long-term appreciation. The proposed no net loss sale land must have similar revenue potential as the trust lands.f. Access. A no net loss sale must not diminish access to trust lands. The no net loss land should provide equal or improved access.3. Any land acquired pursuant to a sale of original grant lands, subject to no net loss, shall be treated by the board as "original grant lands". N.D. Admin Code 85-04-07-02
Adopted by Administrative Rules Supplement 2020-379, January 2021, effective 1/1/2021.General Authority: N.D. Constitution article IX, § 6; NDCC 28-32-02
Law Implemented: NDCC 15-06, 15-08