P2024203 Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area, Howard Hill Unit Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal (Grazing) on approximately 205 acres of the Howard Hill Unit within the Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area (DHWA) in Yuba County. The selected permittee will be granted non-exclusive rights to conduct vegetation disposal, primarily through cattle grazing, with the goals of maintaining diverse botanical and wildlife resources, providing habitat continuity, and reducing wildfire risk. The permit term is four years and ten months, commencing on November 1, 2024. The permittee will be allowed a maximum of 80 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) per six-month and 17-day grazing season, with the requirement to maintain specific residual dry matter levels. Proposals are due by July 8, 2024, and a mandatory site inspection is scheduled for May 31, 2024. Bidders must demonstrate qualifications including experience with wildlife-friendly grazing practices, ability to respond to emergencies, and possession of appropriate livestock.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. The annual permit fee will be calculated based on the permittee's proposed fee amount per AUM, and no credits or offsets will be provided. The CDFW reserves the right to adjust the grazing period and AUMs as needed to protect sensitive resources. The selected permittee will be required to comply with various operational and reporting requirements outlined in the Site Operation Plan. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are mentioned, and the budget range for the permit is not specified.