To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Livestock Grazing Agreement with SRS Ventures, GP in Brentwood Area
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing body of the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Chief Engineer, or designee, to execute on behalf of the District, a Livestock Grazing License Agreement with SRS Ventures, GP, for the use of livestock grazing located at Marsh Creek Reservoir in Brentwood.
DETERMINE that entering into the license agreement is in the public interest and will not substantially conflict or interfere with the use of the property by the District.
DETERMINE that this activity is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 19, Sections 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Flood control will receive a one-time payment of $75.00. (100% Flood Control Zone 1 Funds)
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) is the owner of the real property known and designated as Marsh Creek Reservoir located at Marsh Creek Road, Brentwood. Since 2018, the District has held a Livestock Grazing License Agreement with the SRS Ventures, GP. The licensee was granted to use a portion of the vacant land that is shown on Exhibit A, ± 311 acres and identified as APN’s 007-380-018, 007-380-019, and 007-380-020 for the sole purpose of cattle grazing.
The District would like to enter into a new license agreement with the licensee for a 6-month period beginning May 1, 2026 and ending November 1, 2026. The District is requesting for a 6-month term as the Contra Costa County Public Works Department is preparing for controlled burns of the area in 2027 and 2028.
The license agreement for cattle grazing is exempt from CEQA as the activity consists of the licensing and maintenance of an existing public facility for vegetation management that will not involve expansion (Section 15301) and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The District would need to adopt an alternative maintenance method for the land.