Title
Recommend that the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency approve grazing lease forms and a public bid notice for Agency grazing lands located around San Antonio and Nacimiento Reservoirs; and direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to advertise for bids.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency:
a. Approve proposed grazing lease forms and a public bid notice for grazing lands located around
San Antonio and Nacimiento Reservoirs; and
b. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to advertise for bids.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA or Agency) manages grazing leases on Agency-owned lands surrounding Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. The Grazing Lease Program supports responsible livestock grazing while promoting watershed protection, vegetation management, wildfire fuel reduction, infrastructure stewardship, and long-term land management objectives. The program encompasses approximately 16,400 acres of Agency-owned rangelands associated with the Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoir systems. These lands include a mix of open grazing areas, rolling rangelands, oak woodlands, road and utility access corridors, and areas containing Agency infrastructure.
The current grazing leases are set to expire on October 31, 2026. Therefore, Agency staff are seeking the authority to begin and conduct the grazing lease bid process for five leases around San Antonio and Nacimiento Reservoirs. Those leases are: San Antonio 1 & 2; San Antonio 3; San Antonio 4 & Nacimiento 1; Nacimiento 2; and Nacimiento 3A & 3B.
The leases will utilize the following documents and forms. Attachment 1 includes the Grazing Lease, which establishes operational standards, stewardship requirements, monitoring expectations, and lease compliance procedures. Attachment 2 includes the Bidder’s Pre-qualification Forms that established the approved bidder’s list. Attachment 3 is the public noticing for advertising the grazing leases available for bidding. Attachment 4 includes the maps of the lease areas at Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. There will be a minimum lease fee bid requirement that will be included in the final bidding documents.
The bidding schedule has been drafted to support new leases effective on November 1, 2026 and is outlined in Attachment 5. It is estimated that the bid packet will be released in late June/early July for a minimum of three (3) weeks and results will be certified by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors in August.
The leasing program is statutorily and categorically exempt from CEQA (14 Cal. Code Regs.
15301 (existing facility (including leases)) and 15261 (ongoing project).)
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the grazing lease forms.
FINANCING:
Revenue from the Grazing Lease Program is included in the FY26-27 Recommended Budget and includes current lease rates. In addition, new lease administration fees are proposed to defray certain costs of contract compliance monitoring and enforcement.
Prepared by: Jessell Fenley, Administrative Services Assistant (831) 755-4860
Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. DRAFT Grazing Lease
2. DRAFT Pre-Qualification Bidder Form
3. DRAFT Public Notice
4. DRAFT Lease Area Maps: Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs
5. DRAFT Timeline