Projects receiving federal aid are required to comply with the

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970

, and its subsequent amendments. The regulations related to these laws are set out on

49 CFR, Part 24

.

These laws and regulations set out minimum standards for a basic model of real property acqui-sition, and generally speaking, require the following:

Every reasonable effort to acquire the real property expeditiously by negotiation;
Notice to the landowner must be provided in writing of the Agency's interest in acquiring the real property and the basic protections afforded;
Appraisal of the real property by the acquiring entity and invitation to landowner to attend appraisal inspection;
Offer to landowner of just compensation not less than an approved appraisal of the fair market value;
Provision of a summary statement which explains the offer, and describes property to be acquired;
No coercive action may be taken to induce agreement on price to be paid; and
No intentional use of the power of inverse condemnation to avoid a formal condemnation proceeding.