Land Agents in the Division of Engineering’s (DOE) Acquisition Section are responsible for purchasing the property rights necessary for constructing and maintaining the State Water Project and flood control systems under the jurisdiction of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. This may be accomplished through the following means:

• Contract procedures
• Condemnation
• Stipulated judgments
• Relocation assistance
• Special agreements

While agents do not prepare deeds, they do prepare all other necessary documents for transactions, handle escrows, and make arrangements for title services. 

In addition, land agents provide State-wide coordination of legal, right of way, design, construction, and operations activities in connection with the acquisition or use of lands. To this end they work extensively with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal, State, and local agencies. Land agents provide independent expert valuation for condemnation trials and secure resolutions of necessity from the California Water Commission and Central Valley Flood Protection Board. They are also responsible for negotiations relating to damage claims and serve as independent witnesses for inverse condemnation actions.