Branch of Land Acquisition

The branch of Land Acquisition is responsible for the budgeting, coordination, and negotiation of interests in land and water throughout the Region from a variety of funding sources.  The Branch also services a portion of the WPA program in Iowa and the entire WPA program in Wisconsin.

John Saxhaug
Chief 
612-713-5485

Responsible for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Budget, Inholding and Emergency requests, Capability statements, Effect statements, LWCF Briefing Book, Congressionals, Migratory Bird and Conservation Fund (MBCF) Budget, and Migratory Bird and Conservation Commission (MBCC) submissions.

Kay Honetschlager
Senior Realty Specialist
612-713-5415

Responsible for negotiations at Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Neal Smith NWR (case processing), Glacial Ridge NWR (case processing), Whittlesey Creek NWR, Wisconsin Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), Horicon NWR, Boyer Chute NWR, and regional relocation issues.

Lois Lawson
Senior Realty Specialist
612-713-5468

Responsible for negotiations at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (IWR), Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Shiawassee NWR, Mark Twain NWR Complex, Michigan Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (NW&FR) Complex, Ottawa NWR, Kirtlands Warbler NWR, Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Minnesota and Iowa case processing, Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC) and Inholding and Emergency submissions.

Steve Muyskens
Senior Realty Specialist
612-713-5455

Responsible for negotiations at Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Crab Orchard NWR, Illinois River Refuge NWR, Patoka River NWR, Marais des Cygnes NWR, and Cypress Creek NWR.

Lisa Ruminsky
Realty Specialist
612-713-5397

Conducts negotiations with refuge managers, area supervisors, landowners, NGOs and representatives of other public agencies in order to reach a consensus on the purchase price and the interests to be acquired to the goals of Region 3 of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Don Kleven
Supervisor, Fergus Falls Wetland Acquisition Office
218-736-0634

Supervises the Minnesota Wetland Acquisition Office with offices located in Fergus Falls and Litchfield.   Responsible for negotiations in the Minnesota Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) program for the State of Minnesota and Kossuth County in Iowa, as well as Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Glacial Ridge NWR, Big Stone NWR, Neal Smith NWR, Union Slough NWR and Hamden Slough NWR.  Responsible for acquiring county board certifications for Minnesota Land Exchange Board approvals.

Lynn Sebek
Realty Specialist, Fergus Falls Wetland Acquisition Office
218-736-0622

Conducts negotiations with refuge managers, area supervisors, landowners, NGOs and representatives of other public agencies in order to reach a consensus on the purchase price and the interests to be acquired to meet the goals of the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program.

Cheri Kromann
Realty Specialist, Fergus Falls Wetland Acquisition Office
218-736-0669

Conducts negotiations with refuge managers, area supervisors, landowners, NGOs and representatives of other public agencies in order to reach a consensus on the purchase price and the interests to be acquired to meet the goals of the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program.

Steve Durkee
Senior Realty Specialist, Litchfield Wetland Acquisition Office
320-593-4605

Conducts negotiations with refuge managers, area supervisors, landowners, NGOs and representatives of other public agencies in order to reach a consensus on the purchase price and the interests to be acquired to meet the goals of the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program.

Wanda Mausehund
Realty Specialist, Litchfield Wetland Acquisition Office
320-593-4617

Conducts negotiations with refuge managers, area supervisors, landowners, NGOs and representatives of other public agencies in order to reach a consensus on the purchase price and the interests to be acquired to meet the goals of the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program

Georgette Kanada
Senior Realty Assistant
612-713-5453

Reviews for format and finalizes legal instruments and supporting documents. Administers Land Acquisition Tracking System (LATS) data entry, Land Record System (LRS), LEB submissions, 1099 reports, Relocation Report, Waterfowl Production Area tract numbering, Realty case processing, Contaminant Survey tracking, general correspondence, and Congressionals.  Backup to Realty Assistant for time and attendance, telephones, and travel.

Dawn Johnson
Realty Assistant, Fergus Falls Wetland Acquisition Office
218-736-0645

Responsible for Realty Acquisition Tracking System (RATS) data entry, case package preparation, real estate curative/research, Wetland Acquisition Office telephone contact, time and attendance, supplies, and mail processing.  Provides administrative support for the Wetland Acquisition Office in Fergus Falls and Litchfield.  Responsible for budget tracking, purchasing, time and attendance, travel and telephone reception.

Midwest Refuges Home