To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: License Agreement with John and Shanon Ginochio in Walnut Creek 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 License Agreement renewal with John and Shanon Ginochio for the purpose of cattle grazing located at the Milton F. Kubicek Detention Basin at Castle Rock Road in Walnut Creek.
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 non-refundable payment of $600.00. (100% Flood Control Zone 3B Funds)
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) is the owner of the real property known and designated as Milton F. Kubicek Detention Basin located at Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek. Since 1991 the District has held a Livestock Grazing License Agreement with the Ginochio Brothers. The licensee was granted to use a portion of the vacant land that is shown on Exhibit A, ± 35 acres (APN’s 138-160-001, 138-160-002, 138-160-003, 138-170-001 and 138-170-007) for the sole purpose of cattle grazing.
The District would like to enter into a new license agreement with the licensee for a 3-year period beginning August 11, 2026, and ending August 10, 2029. The District will require the licensee to provide an annual report that outlines grazing activities such as number of cattle on the properties, the dates (or ranges) when cattle are on or having access to the District’s property, and whether any cattle were sold at market. Well managed grazing improves soil health, prevents devastating wildfires by reducing flammable vegetation, and eliminates the need for fossil-fuel powered machines to clear fields or spread fertilizer
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 of the land.