Tehama Wildlife Area - Hogsback Allotment Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal (Grazing) L2026102 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

California Department of Fish and Wildlife is requesting proposals for a Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal (Grazing) on the Hogsback allotment of the Tehama Wildlife Area covering approximately 3,206 acres, with proposals due October 27, 2026 and a mandatory site inspection on September 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at 30490 Plum Creek Road, Paynes Creek, California.

Minimum qualifications require ten or more years of experience with wildlife-friendly grazing operations on public or conservation-easement protected lands, at least one reference letter, and demonstrated ability to respond to emergencies within two hours during the grazing period. Only cattle are permitted. Bidders must maintain residual dry matter between 446 and 800 pounds per acre at the end of each annual grazing period. The permit grants non-exclusive rights under Fish and Game Code Sections 1010 and 1745.1(a).

The permit term is three years and six months, commencing December 1, 2026 or upon state approval, whichever is later, and terminating June 30, 2030. The annual grazing period is four months, from January 15 through May 15 each year. The annual permit fee is calculated by the bidder's proposed per-acre-per-year fee multiplied by 3,206 acres and four months, with payments due November 17, 2026 (or upon permit execution), December 31, 2027, December 31, 2028, and December 31, 2029. The permittee is responsible for all utility costs, water assessments, mosquito abatement costs, maintenance and repairs, property and possessory-interest taxes, and prevailing wage compliance. Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate with Fire Legal Liability coverage of $300,000, Motor Vehicle Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Workers' Compensation with statutory limits are required, with the State named as additional insured.

Proposals are scored on a 140-point scale based on required attachments, statement of qualifications, references, disclosure statements, and eight goal-specific proposals addressing residual dry matter targets, riparian and wetland protection, livestock distribution, monitoring, emergency response, and trespass management. CDFW reserves the right to reject all proposals. Evaluation and ranking occurs October 28, 2026; interviews, if necessary, occur October 29, 2026; and final selection and notice of intent to award occur November 2, 2026, with a proposed award date of November 5, 2026.