Cattle Grazing Land Lease within the Lower Dry Creek Floodplain

The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) is requesting proposals from qualified firms, individuals, partnerships, corporations, nonprofits, and educational institutions to lease and operate a cattle grazing operation on approximately 532 acres of SAFCA-managed land in the Lower Dry Creek Floodplain near Rio Linda, Sacramento County, California. An optional site visit is set for November 10, 2026 (RSVP by November 6), and proposals are due December 8, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. through the OpenGov Procurement portal. No set-aside, preference program, or sole-source intent appears in the source.

Applicants must have two years of experience managing cattle production with conservation-oriented grazing practices, the ability to respond to emergencies within twelve hours, adequate livestock, and compliance with the insurance requirements in Exhibit B. The grazer supplies all labor, materials, equipment, cattle, livestock watering infrastructure, fence maintenance, fire safety compliance, and emergency response. Management goals include wildlife habitat and native vegetation maintenance, invasive plant control, hazardous fuels management, and stewardship monitoring. Operations must follow the Hansen Ranch conservation easement and Range Management Plan, and a SAFCA Preserve Manager oversees compliance. The base stocking capacity is 711 animal unit months (AUMs) per year, with annual variation estimated between 397 and 1,130 AUMs depending on rainfall, wildfire, and flooding.

The lease runs March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2030, with up to two one-year extension options. Nominal rent is $2,000 per year, payable in two semi-annual installments, and reflects a discount from market rates due to easement and floodplain constraints. After extreme drought or wildfire, a credit of $2.81 per AUM applies for forage lost below the 711 AUM baseline. Required coverage includes commercial general liability of $2,000,000 aggregate and per occurrence, automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit for corporate vehicles, workers' compensation with $1,000,000 employer's liability, and environmental insurance of $1,000,000 per claim and aggregate. Carriers must rate A.M. Best A-:VII or better, name SAFCA as additional insured on a primary basis, and include livestock liability covering cattle escape and straying. SAFCA assumes no liability for livestock, equipment, structural damage, or flooding losses. The lessee may not hunt, sublet, or assign the lease without written consent.

Proposals are scored 40% on grazing proposal feasibility, 30% on past experience with conservation-oriented grazing, and 30% on references and ability to meet lease terms. Questions are due November 13, 2026. The SAFCA Board is scheduled to award the lease on January 21, 2027. SAFCA reserves the right to reject proposals, negotiate with qualified applicants, or cancel the process.