The “right of way” process begins when the condemning authority decides to acquire a partial or total taking of land for widening of a new or existing highway, road or pipeline. The property owner is notified by letter of the proposed condemnation and the condemning authority orders an appraisal of the property. The property owner is given the opportunity to accompany the appraiser during the property inspection. The condemning authority will make the property owner an offer by certified mail for the fair market value of the property based on the agency’s approved appraisal of the property. When the property owner rejects the offer or fails to accept it within a period no less than 14 days from the mailing of the offer, it is accepted as conclusive proof that the condemning authority is unable to acquire the property through negotiations, and must initiate condemnation of the property by eminent domain.