Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area – Yuba Narrows Unit Permit for Excess Vegetation Control

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) North Central Region is requesting proposals for a permit to conduct controlled cattle grazing on 613 acres at the Yuba Narrows Unit of Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area to reduce wildfire fuel loads and enhance native wildlife habitat, with proposals due July 24, 2026 by 3:30 p.m. and a mandatory site inspection on June 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Bidders must demonstrate five or more years of wildlife-friendly grazing experience and provide two references from the past five years or one reference from the past two years on public or conservation easement-protected lands. The permittee must possess appropriate livestock numbers and maintain one-hour emergency response capability. Only cattle grazing is permitted, with operations limited to a maximum of 20 Animal Units per month. The permittee bears all costs associated with vegetation control, emergency response, herd health maintenance, fencing repairs, water management, and compliance with site objectives.

The permit term runs four years, seven months, and 15 days, commencing November 15, 2026 and terminating June 30, 2031, with an annual grazing period of five months and 15 days (December 15 to May 31). Pricing is structured as a monthly fee per Animal Unit multiplied by 20 AUs and 5.5 months annually; the annual permit fee is paid in two semi-annual installments on December 1 and March 1. The permittee must maintain 1,000 pounds per acre of Residual Dry Matter by the end of each annual grazing period.

Proposals are scored on 150 points: statement of qualifications and references (10 points), emergency response ability (10 points), knowledge and experience (10 points), and addressing six management goals—RDM maintenance, wildlife habitat improvement, riparian area protection, contingency planning for species protection, public interaction, and even grazing distribution (15 points each). Cost proposals receive up to 40 points based on a ratio calculation against the highest bid. Final selection and notice of intent to award is anticipated by August 6, 2026, with an award date of August 11, 2026.