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Landowners of Bonner county, who own property bordering on Pend Oreille lake and river which will have to be acquired by the federal government in connection with the building of Albeni Falls dam should take immediate steps to protect their interests and should act in concert rather than individually. By all means no landowner should take the first offer made by the land acquisition department of the corps of engineers.

The corps of engineers announced this week that the land acquisition office would open in the Sandpoint postoffice building, room 258, Monday, Dec. 4, and it is assumed that the supervisor and his assistants will immediately start working acquiring land needed for reservoir purposes around Lake Pend Oreille and on both sides of the river between Sandpoint and Albeni Falls.

To be certain that fair values are fixed on properties to be acquired, landowners should get together and organize so that they can have free exchange of information. There is no big rush to sign up and make a settlement within the next two or three weeks. Farmers and others should proceed with caution, lest they find later they have overlooked important facts.

One thing is certain, the corps of engineers is going to try to buy the land needed as cheaply as possible, while on the other hand landowners are going to want to get as much as possible for the valuable lands they will have to let go. Somewhere in between the two extremes the answer will be found. Lest they be caught napping, landowners in the Clark Fork Delta area, those who own property at the mouth of Pack River, at Oden bay, etc., should get together and effect an organization, while those living down the river should do likewise.

Residents around Hope, Ellisport bay, Samowen bay and landowners along the Clark Fork delta have another consideration, the mineral rights to property they now own. Most of this land is under lease at present for oil exploration and if oil or gas in commercial quantities are found then immediately the picture changes and these land (sic) take on additional value.

Yes, landowners will do well to proceed cautiously. There are many factors involved. It is better to explore the matter thoroughly now rather than go to the courts for adjustment later.

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