Title
Approve that approximately 561 acres of vacant land owned by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency be leased for grazing purposes.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Approve that approximately 561 acres of vacant land owned by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency be leased for grazing purposes.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (“Agency”) currently owns lands that are leased for grazing to private individuals and business entities: four in the San Antonio Reservoir area and five in the Nacimiento Reservoir area. On July 17, 2019, at a meeting of the Land Use/Lease Subcommittee of the Agency, it was proposed that a new grazing lease area be established at Nacimiento Reservoir. On October 4, 2019, the proposal was presented to the Personnel and Administration Committee where staff was given direction to discuss and review further with County Counsel. Subsequently, staff analyzed the proposal and recommends that the vacant land be leased. This item was presented to the Board of Directors on October 21, 2019 and the Board supported the action.
The land in question consists of three parcels totaling approximately 561 acres and located on the northeast side of the Nacimiento Grazing Lease No. 5. Until recently the land was not available to lease. Leasing this land for cattle grazing will offer increased revenue to the Agency and will provide potential fire suppression benefits, and reduce the occurrence of trespassing. Upon approval, the Agency will go through a competitive bid process to obtain a lessee for this land.
The five active leases are outlined in Attachment 1. The proposed lease area is outlined in Attachment 2.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
On October 21, 2019, this item was presented to the Board of Directors for approval to move forward, and the Board supported the action.
FINANCING:
The Agency anticipates additional annual revenues between $2,000 to $8,000 to be generated from the lease. Actual amounts will depend on bids received.
Prepared by: Jessell Fenley, Administrative Services Assistant, (831) 755-4896
Approved by: ______________________________________________
Brent Buche, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Lease Map for Nacimiento Grazing Leases
2. Lease Map for Proposed Nacimiento Grazing Lease #6
3. MCWRA Executed Board Order