Title
Receive an update on the new Grazing Lease Cycle for November 2026.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Joint Water Resources/Board of Supervisors Leadership Committee:
Receive an update on the new Grazing Lease Cycle for November 2026.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Background
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) manages a livestock grazing program on some of its properties in and around Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. Currently, the Agency administers eight cattle leases, that are currently in a holdover until October 31, 2026, when they will be made available to the public through a formal solicitation process.
The grazing program, which began in the 1960s, currently covers a total of 16,400 acres, including approximately 10,300 acres above the high-water mark. Cattle grazing is one of the land management tools the Agency uses to achieve goals such as protecting lands and preserving open space around the Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs.
Summary
The Agency has revised and updated the current lease agreement to clarify previously unclear provisions and to streamline the associated terms and conditions. Some of the proposed updates include, but are not limited to, extending the lease term to ten years; establishing clear processes and guidelines; implementing fees for non-compliance; adding pre-bid qualification requirements; defining overgrazing and undergrazing conditions; reinvesting revenue into property improvements; identifying survey and protection areas; and introducing the Grazing Land Management Plan (GLMP) as a new strategic approach.
Building on these program improvements, the Agency is now preparing for the implementation phase to ensure a smooth transition to the new grazing leases. Several key next steps are required to meet the goal of having new grazing leases in place by November 1, 2026.
First, all relevant information will be made available on the Agency’s website, on the Grazing Lease Program pa...
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