Program Overview

The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA or Agency) manages grazing leases on Agency-owned lands surrounding Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. The Grazing Lease Program supports responsible livestock grazing while promoting watershed protection, vegetation management, wildfire fuel reduction, infrastructure stewardship, and long-term land management objectives.

The program encompasses approximately 16,400 acres of Agency-owned rangelands associated with the Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoir systems. These lands include a mix of open grazing areas, rolling rangelands, oak woodlands, road and utility access corridors, and areas containing Agency infrastructure.

Agency grazing lands are managed pursuant to Grazing Lease Agreements including the Grazing Lands Management Plan (GLMP), which establish operational standards, stewardship requirements, monitoring expectations, and lease compliance procedures.

2026 Grazing Lease Opportunities

The competitive bid process begins early July, and the new lease cycle will be effective November 1, 2026. 

Prospective bidders should carefully review lease materials and understand the operational responsibilities associated with Agency grazing lands. Lease areas vary in size, terrain, infrastructure, accessibility, and operational requirements.

Depending on the lease area, lessees are responsible for:

• Fence, gate, road, and access maintenance
• Vegetation and livestock management and containment
• Reporting and documentation requirements
• Coordination with Agency staff, including inspection and monitoring requirements

Additional bidder qualifications, insurance requirements, lease-specific conditions, and lease viewing opportunities will be provided before the bids are due.

Prospective bidders will need to review and complete the following steps to participate in the process.

Bid Package Process (steps and dates)

Important: All Bid Package material and detailed information can be found below in the “Bid Package Materials”.

1. Review Bid Package

• Materials can be found below in the “Bid Package Material” section.

2. Attend an optional On-Site Lease Overview Tour

• Prospective bidders are invited to attend an optional on-site overview of the available grazing lease areas. Attendance is encouraged but not required to participate in the bidding process. 
• RSVP by July 10, 2026, close of business (5:00 p.m.) via email to wraleaseadmin@countyofmonterey.gov .Meeting times and locations will be provided to those who RSVP.
  • July 14, 2026 - San Antonio Reservoir tour of Leases
• July 15, 2026 - Nacimiento Reservoir tour of Leases

3. Bid Package Questions

• Questions regarding Bid Package must be submitted via email to wraleaseadmin@countyofmonterey.gov .
• Deadline: July 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
• Questions and responses will be published onto this webpage by the Agency on July 21, 2026.
  • Grazing Lease Bid Questions & Responses 2026

4. Complete the Pre-Qualification Bidder Form

• Deadline: July 23, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

5. Pre-Qualification Results

• Applicants will be notified via email on July 27, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. whether they have passed or failed the pre-qualification process.
  • Grazing Lease Qualified Bidders List 2026

6. Sealed Bid

• Only pre-qualified bidders may submit a sealed bid.
• Grazing Lease Bid Form must be used (can be found in the Bid Package Materials section)
• Deadline: July 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

7. Participate in the Public Bid Opening and Oral Bidding

Following the opening of sealed bids, qualified bidders may have the opportunity to participate in the oral bidding.

• July 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Bid Package Materials

• Grazing lease Agreement
• Grazing Lease Prequalification Bidder Form
• Public Notice to Bidders
• Lease Area Maps – Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs
• Minimum Bid Schedule
• Proposed Timeline
• Grazing Lease Bid Form

Lease Areas

Agency grazing lands are divided into multiple lease areas located around Nacimiento and San Antonio Reservoirs. Individual lease areas may include varying acreage, terrain conditions, water access, infrastructure, and operational considerations.

Proposed grazing leases and their respective acreages:

Maps

Minimum Bids

Stewardship & Compliance

The Agency is committed to sustainable land management practices that support the long-term health and productivity of Agency-owned rangelands. Managed livestock grazing can play an important role in reducing wildfire fuel loads, managing vegetation, supporting watershed health, and maintaining open space resources when conducted responsibly and in accordance with sound land stewardship practices. Through the Grazing Lease Program, the Agency seeks to balance agricultural use with environmental protection and long-term resource management objectives.

In addition to general land stewardship goals, portions of Agency-owned lands may be subject to environmental and habitat conservation requirements associated with the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and other applicable regulatory protections. Lessees may be required to comply with operational restrictions or management practices intended to protect sensitive habitats, wildlife species, cultural resources, and natural resources located on or near lease areas. The Agency works collaboratively with lessees to promote responsible grazing operations while supporting conservation and regulatory compliance efforts.

Land Stewardship Expectations

MCWRA manages grazing lands with an emphasis on long-term land stewardship, watershed protection, wildfire fuel reduction, and responsible grazing practices.

The Agency conducts periodic inspections and monitoring activities, and also requires lessees to submit annual self-assessments, to help ensure compliance with lease requirements and overall land management objectives.

Monitoring activities may include:

• Field inspections
• Infrastructure assessments
• Vegetation and grazing evaluations
• Documentation review
• Follow-up compliance inspections

Failure to comply with lease requirements may result in corrective actions or other remedies identified in the lease agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

• FAQ’s

Contact Us

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via the following methods:

Email: WRALeaseAdmin@countyofmonterey.gov

Phone: (831) 755-4860

Address: 1441 Schilling Place, North Building, Salinas, CA 93901

Monterey County Water Resources Agency
1441 Schilling Pl., North Bldg., Salinas, CA 93901

    Phone (831) 755-4860   |   After Hours (831) 796-1166

Email: mcwater@countyofmonterey.gov