Whenever any person shall apply to any circuit court for the appointment of commissioners to appraise the damages to any lands owned or occupied by him, under the provisions of this act, and it shall appear to said court that such person owns or occupies other lands contiguous thereto, whether in the county where said court is held or otherwise, it shall be the duty of said circuit court to authorize and require said commissioners to appraise the damages to such applicants upon all [the] contiguous lands of such person, in whatever county they may lie, unless said association shall otherwise consent in writing.
MCL 484.171