Office of the Chief 

The Office of the Chief plans, directs and implements real estate activities for the District. The
Chief of Real Estate is responsible for extensive interaction with local, state, and Federal agencies, private organizations, and Louisiana's Congressional staff regarding real estate programs. She serves as the New Orleans District’s chief technical advisor on real estate matters so that the District can meet its challenges and enhance its value to the Army and the Nation.

The Real Estate Division is responsible for the management of approximately 70,000 acres of
fee-owned land and 700,000 acres of easements in central and coastal Louisiana, and for acquiring an additional 190,000 acres of easement land for the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System (ABFS).

Appraisal & Planning Branch

The Appraisal and Planning Branch provides professional real estate valuation, planning, mapping, and consultation services for the New Orleans District's real estate program. These services, provided by government staff and by contract, are for all phases of program execution, including Continuing Authorities Program studies, reconnaissance and feasibility studies, and authorized projects for acquisition of real estate by the Federal government or the non-Federal sponsor.

This Branch provides valuation and mapping services for disposals, outgrants, leases, licenses, and consents of Federally-owned land as well as for damage claims, government-owned quarters, and rentals for office and storage space. The Appraisal and Planning Branch also provides assistance and support to the Department of Justice during litigation in the form of consultation, exhibit preparation, and expert appraisal testimony.

Direct Federal Acquisition Branch

Direct Federal Acquisition Branch is responsible for the acquisition of real estate interests required for District civil works missions where the United States takes title to the interests. This is accomplished either by negotiations with land owners (direct purchase) or by using eminent domain (condemnation) procedures when negotiations fail to reach an agreement on price or when land title matters prevent closing the transaction. In addition, this branch is responsible for ensuring the relocation of homes and businesses displaced as a result of the acquisition of a real estate interest for a District civil works mission. The branch provides real estate services for District product delivery teams during the planning, design and construction phases of direct federal projects. It also provides acquisition services for other federal agencies that lack direct acquisition authority through the Interagency Support Program.

Local Sponsor & Inleasing Acquisition Branch

The Local Sponsor and Inleasing Acquisition Branch is responsible for the acquisition of real estate interests for District civil works missions where a Local Sponsoring partner acquires the real estate interest and provides it for the project. The branch assists the Sponsor in the acquisition process. It also obtains rights of entry for surveys and other investigative work from various landowners; inleasing services; and permanent change of station payments.

In addition, the branch provides real estate services for District product delivery teams during the design and construction phases of local sponsor projects.


Management, Disposal & Control Branch

The Management, Disposal and Control Branch manages property under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers within the New Orleans District which includes granting realty rights to others for the use of Corps-owned real estate interests acquired for a variety of Congressionally-authorized projects. Those grants are given through leases, licenses, easements, permits and consents. The Branch also handles the excessing and disposal of real estate interests no longer needed by the Corps.

By periodically evaluating civil projects in its jurisdiction, the branch helps determine if any lands are excess to the Government's needs. This Branch develops and manages all real estate manpower and funding requirements and the annual operating budget. It performs administrative services, as in preparing vouchers, travel and recurring reports to higher authority; and maintains the real property inventory. Final historical real estate validations are made and maintained in this Branch, showing all real estate transactions involved in each direct federal project.