National Park Service:

Land Acquisition at the Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

RCED-97-251R: Published: Sep 29, 1997. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 1997.

Additional Materials:

Contact:

Victor S. Rezendes
(202) 512-6082
contact@gao.gov

 

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the acquisition of the Greyfield tract in the Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia by the National Park Service (NPS), focusing on: (1) how the price was determined for the Greyfield tract; (2) whether normal procedures were used to acquire the Greyfield tract; (3) whether federal legislation establishing the seashore or its wilderness area would prevent development of this private property if it were not purchased by NPS; and (4) whether there will be additional costs for security at the Navy's King's Bay Submarine Base if the property is developed.

GAO noted that: (1) an appraisal was used to determine the price for the Greyfield tract, as required; (2) there was nothing unusual about the acquisition procedures used; (3) the legislation concerning Cumberland Island does not preclude the development of the Greyfield tract; (4) the need for additional security at the Navy base will depend on the increase in boat traffic; (5) GAO is concerned about the second appraisal for the Greyfield tract, which relied in part on an unexercised option that resulted in an increased appraised value; (6) if the Greyfield tract were sold to a developer, NPS would probably condemn the property, depending on available funding; (7) if this were to occur, condemnation could result in a higher price because there is a strong possibility that the price set in court would substantially exceed the current contract price; and (8) the current price of $17.9 million for the remaining four tracts may, in practical terms, be the lowest price at which the government could purchase the property.

Feb 4, 2019

Jan 15, 2019

Nov 7, 2018

Nov 5, 2018

Sep 26, 2018

Sep 21, 2018

Sep 14, 2018

Sep 5, 2018

Aug 24, 2018

Aug 16, 2018

Looking for more? Browse all our products here