HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12071993 - 1.176 Contra Costa County
CITIZENS LAND ALLIANCE
Post Office Box 553 . Byron, CA 94514 e (415) 634-5004
PRESIDENT
Howard Higgins RECEIVED
VICE PRESIDENT
Frank Pereira
SECRETARY/TREASURER NOV ( 6 1993 k
A.Michael Souza
DIRECTORS November 15, 1993
Mike Ambrosino CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Tino Bacchini CONTRA COSTA CO.
Tom Brumleve Board of Supervisors
Enrico Cinquini Contra Costa County
Bob Dal Porto 651 Pine Street
Neal Draper Room 106
Eugene Harrison Martinez, California 94553-1293
Frank Nunes
Tony Souza Honorable Members of the Board,
Recently, a movement to ban grazing from public lands has become apparent
in Contra Costa County. The Citizens Land Alliance respectfully requests that the
Board make a finding that the banning of grazing on public lands is not in the best
interest of the people of Contra Costa County for the following reasons:
1. A large percentage of land within the county is held by public agencies,
much of it suitable for grazing. Elimination of grazing from these lands would
drastically reduce the base of grazing land available in the County, thus harming the
agricultural industry.
2. Most public agencies that I can think of are experiencing budget shortfalls
and difficulties. Elimination of grazing on public lands would reduce the income to
these agencies in the form of lost lease payments, not to mention a lack of repair to
fencing and other capital facilities that are normally performed by the lessees.
3. Fuel control for fire hazards is a major benefit provided by grazing public
lands. Elimination of grazing on public lands would eliminate the most cost-
effective means of fire control available to these agencies, and the agencies would
incur immediate annual costs to keep the fire danger under control in terms of
disking and chopping of grass.
4. Grazing is good for biodiversity. A properly managed grazing program
encourages the growth and maintenance of various species of plants and animals.
Elimination of grazing on public lands will encourage the growth of noxious weeds
and eliminate habitat that is currently a vai!nble for use by the 'v444A Creatures '0. oui
county.
Please consider the previous points and find that the banning of grazing on
public lands is not in the best interest of the people or environment of Contra Costa
County. Thank you for you consideration.
Sincerely,
`lavyLe4A .�
James A. Gwerder
Secretary
Contra Costa County
Citizens Land Alliance