The Land Acquisition Section of the Environment and Natural
Resources Division has a history as old as the division. In
1909, when the Division was created it was called the Public
Lands Division, with a mandate to handle on behalf of the United
States “all suits and proceedings concerning the enforcement of
the Public Land law.” AG Report 1910, 26. The Division was
established in response to the need to “properly attend to the
enormous and increasing volume of business relating to the
public lands of the United States, and of Indian affairs.” Id.
Ernest Knaebel, special assistant to the Attorney General, was
designated to lead the Public Lands Division, and the Attorney
General’s Order transferred five additional attorneys and three
stenographers to the Division. Historically the land acquisition
function (which includes title reviews both for agency direct
purchases and in condemnation actions; appraisal reviews; and
condemnation litigation) was such a large part of the Division’s
work that at various times