Title, Records & Land Acquisition Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Title, Records, and Land Acquisition Program is

To research and/or retrieve title and leasehold interest land records;
To receive and maintain land records (manually, digitally, and electronically);
To assist in the review of appraisals, provide an uncertified estimate opinion of value;
Assist and participate in land exchange to consolidate Navajo land in accordance with and utilizing the Indian Land Consolidation Act and Navajo Land Consolidation Act;
To scan and upload documents in the Navajo Land Title Data System; and
Administer the Navajo Land Acquisition Program, on behalf of the Navajo Nation and authorized by the Resources and Development Committee, according to the established administrative requirements and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Title & Records

Receive, protect, and maintain land documents and records on land owned, acquired, leased, or controlled by the Navajo Nation.
Review and conduct field investigations of surface damages or economic loss to determine repayment or compensation, based on fair market value.
Conduct a title search of properties at the County Recorder/Assessor to verify legal ownership, chain of title, legal description, or mineral rights on proposed land acquisitions or land disputes.
Assist with the resettlement/relocation of families or disputes
Budget and process property tax payments annually, which could include appealing or protesting property valuations.
Provide land status verifications for lands on and within the Navajo Reservation.

Land Acquisition Program

Review and respond to land offers made to the Navajo Nation.
Perform assessments and/or inspections on land offers to determine feasibility, potential use, operation, and management.
If feasible, perform land acquisition due diligence (procure/review appraisal reports, procure Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, inspections, negotiation, etc.)
Prepare an evaluation and/or summary report on the proposed land acquisition for the administrative and legislative reviews. Make revisions and/or amendments to the review packet as necessary and resubmit. Take part in the land acquisition presentations and meetings.
Oversee the closing and post-closing of all approved real estate purchases.
Budget and oversee the Land Acquisition Program under the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
Assist the Navajo Land Department with the reviewing of subdivision lot conveyances, leasehold conveyance process, mortgages, etc.

Note

Written land offers can be made to the Navajo Nation as follow:
Mail: Navajo Land Acquisition Program
P.O. Box 2249
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Email: Byron Bitsoie Sr., Department Manager III at bbitsoie@nnld.org
Fax: (928) 871-7039