Title
a. Approve Amendment to the Marks Ranch Grazing Lease, to the Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT);
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the Lease Amendment; and
c. Authorize a continuation of a 100% offset of lease payments in consideration of infrastructure improvements and stewardship, resource management and habitat restoration services provided by BSLT.
Body
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve Amendment to the Marks Ranch Grazing Lease, to the Big Sur Land Trust
(BSLT);
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the Lease Amendment; and
c. Authorize a continuation of a 100% offset of lease payments in consideration of
infrastructure improvements and stewardship, resource management and habitat
restoration services provided by BSLT.
Summary/Discussion:
On October 18, 2011, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved a 10-Year cattle lease with a 10-Year renewable option, to the BSLT. In addition, the BOS authorized a 100% offset of lease payments in consideration of infrastructure improvements and stewardship, resource management and habitat restoration services provided by BSLT.
On March 20, 2012, the BOS approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the BSLT and the County of Monterey (County) for the County’s acquisition of a 113.4 acre portion of Marks Ranch (Zone 1). Per Section 1.1.5 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the County has negotiated an Amendment to the Marks Ranch Cattle Grazing Lease to make Zone 1 subject to the original Marks Ranch Cattle Grazing Lease, to the extent environmentally appropriate. The purpose of the cattle lease amendment is to restore and enhance the natural and ecological values of the Property.
Per Exhibit C, “Zone 1 Grazing Area”, Zone 1 will be divided into 4 grazing areas, A, B, C and D. Once the County establishes a public trail on Zone 1, Areas B and C will be removed from grazing in order to facilitate public access. At that time, BSLT will install fencing to exclude cattl...
Click here for full text