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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - 7083 SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA GRAZING LEASEFolsom Grazing Association proposal for RFP 7083: Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Grazing Lease City of Fort Collins, Natural Areas Program Folsom Grazing Association members and volunteers move cattle on Soapstone along a boundary fence. i January 15, 2010 10. How would Soapstone fit into your existing operation? For example, is Soapstone the only place you would anticipate grazing? Do you own or lease other land in the surrounding area? Soapstone would provide pasture for our livestock from approximately late -May to late -November. We expect to provide alternate accommodations for our livestock during the remainder of the year. As mentioned earlier, we have always adjusted the AUMs we use at Soapstone based on range and weather conditions. Our members have alternate pastures to take cattle if necessary and with advanced notice. Collectively, we own or lease over 19,700 acres in Larimer and adjacent counties. 11. Describe the interactions you anticipate having with Natural Areas Program staff. We anticipate continuing the good lines of communication we have had with Natural Areas Program staff over the past four years. In addition to meeting every spring to develop the year's grazing plan, we are able to meet as needed during the grazing season to discuss management needs and concerns as they arise. We foresee regular contact with the Natural Areas Program, primarily through the Natural Areas Program Manager (phone, email, and in -person). We anticipate continuous interaction with other Natural Areas Program staff such as field technicians, docents, education and volunteer coordinators, as well as Volunteers. We believe open communication fosters a good working relationship. 12. Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is open to public recreation. Describe the interactions you intend to have with visitors. For example, are you interested in providing educational opportunities -to visitors or allowing volunteers to assist you in aspects of your operation? We are committed to ensuring that grazing management at Soapstone is accomplished with public use of the property in mind. We anticipate frequent informal interactions with visitors opportunistically encountered when we perform our ranch and cattle management duties. These interactions are important as they allow opportunities for 1-on-1 communication with the public. We will continue to be friendly and conversant with the Soapstone visitors we meet. Initially, we were wary about interacting with recreationists and volunteers but it is no longer much of a concern for us. Our interactions have been for the most part quite positive. We have enjoyed opportunities to interact with the public through educational and volunteer programs and intend to continue our involvement with these activities; particularly scheduled tours or ride-alongs when we move cattle. Opportunities for volunteer involvement in other ranching operations are also possible. We are proud to show the public what responsible cattle management looks like and share our knowledge about the ranching profession. Feedback from volunteers (Appendix D) has demonstrated the value of these activities and removed many of our initial concerns. 13. Are there additional services you anticipate providing or ways that your proposed operation benefits the mission of the Natural Areas Program that you would like the selection committee to consider? We presented the idea of "conservation beef' in our 2005 grazing lease proposal and would like to actively pursue this idea. This would be a good public relations service to the Natural Areas Program by providing for the public a tangible (and edible) product from a working landscape on one of its properties. It would also be a means of demonstrating how the Natural Areas Program is helping protect not only natural and agricultural resources but local business and the local foods movement. A good public relations opportunity for us, we would be able to communicate how responsible ranching can be compatible with natural resource conservation. We hope it would also foster an appreciation for locally - raised, grass-fed, and good tasting beef. Some members have already developed a natural beef market, utilizing a local family -run slaughter facility (Double J Meat Packing, Pierce, CO; 20 miles east of Fort Collins) to provide natural ranch -raised beef to local consumers who want to know the source of their food. This could be further developed to include Soapstone Beef. Our proposed operation would further benefit the mission of the Natural Areas Program by helping protect other lands with conservation value. Development pressure is extremely high in Colorado. By providing pasture to our grazing association, the Natural Areas Program helps our livestock operations stay viable and the land we own and lease stay in agriculture. This protects an additional 19,725 (+/-) acres of high value agricultural land, scenic areas, and natural habitat. Fee -simple acres owned by our members total approximately 10,321 and include 2,861 in Larimer County, 160 in Morgan County, and 7,140 in Weld County. Leased acres total approximately 9,404 and include 3,350 in Larimer County, 2,184 in Weld County, and 350 in Yuma County. It also includes 160 (fee -simple) and 3,520 (leased) acres in southeast Wyoming. As an additional service of sorts, we offer our knowledge and creativity free of charge as a resource to the Natural Areas Program. For example, if bison are placed at Soapstone we have some ideas for optimal placement that considers current infrastructure, maximum visibility for visitors, and safety of visitors, cattle, and bison. We are also mindful of recreationists' desire to pass through the fewest number of gates. With this in mind, we have thought of a new design for a fence/trail intersection that serves the purpose of both preventing cattle'from crossing and eliminating the need for visitors to open and close gates. We suggest for consideration a reduced -width version of the "cattle crossing" typically used on roads (shallow pit with metal bars across the top). As the majority of recreationists are on foot or bike, this would allow them to cross trail/fence intersections without using a gate. Equestrian visitors would likely prefer using a gate, thus one could be installed 5-10m to the side of the trail crossing. Maintenance would be minimal, perhaps requiring an annual cleaning where the metal bars are lifted (like a hatch cover) and any soil or plant debris removed. Northern Colorado Ranching Industry 14. Explain how your operation helps support the Northern Colorado ranching industry. Every one of our members is involved in agricultural operations on a full-time basis and earns the majority of their income from ranching; we are not hobby farmers. Application for NRCS assistance through EQIP requires disclosure that gross farm income comprises at least two-thirds of the adjusted gross income for each member in a grazing association. It also requires disclosure whether thresholds of nonfarm income earned per member are exceeded. For each member of Folsom, gross farm income is at least two-thirds of adjusted gross income and nonfarm income exceeds none of the thresholds. Our grazing association meets EQIP criteria and is comprised of seven ranch operations in Northern Colorado. Awarding this lease to our grazing association, with four members based in Larimer County and three based in Weld County will support livestock operations that spend substantial amounts of money at other businesses related to Northern Colorado's ranching industry (e.g. feed suppliers, sale barns, machinists). Folsom's one member operating out of southeast Wyoming, less than two miles over the Colorado border, banks and conducts the vast majority of his business in northern Colorado. The money we spend supporting our livestock operations circulates within Larimer and Weld County communities. We are selective about the members we allow into our grazing association. We do not foresee major changes to our membership but we have an application process if we need to take in a new member. Our Board is currently discussing amending Folsom's by-laws or adding criteria to the membership application in order to recruit ranchers with base operations in Larimer County. We would also like to provide opportunities for younger generation ranchers in the area. W Awarding the lease to our grazing association rather than a smaller one (or a single livestock operator) will help ensure eight local ranching operations stay in business. Six of our eight members are direct descendants of homesteaders in Larimer and Weld counties and have a history of family farming and ranching on Colorado's Front Range. We feel that these livestock operations are not only part of the Northern Colorado ranching industry but are part of Northern Colorado's ranching legacy. Grazing Fee 15. Please provide your proposed grazing fee (you should break out the fee in terms of dollars per A UM, and also give a lump sum per year based on your proposed stocking rate). We would like to continue the current grazing fee of $10.68 per AUM if the Natural Areas Program can continue to help financially support a caretaker/ranch manager. This totals $40,050 with the proposed stocking rate of 750 AUM for 2011 (pending range conditions, etc.). If funding a caretaker/ranch manager will be the sole responsibility of the lessee we would like this to be reflected in a discounted grazing fee or reduction in other responsibilities. We are open to discussing grazing fee and cost- or work -share options for funding a ranch manager. Larimer County typically bases its grazing fees on those published by the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners. It currently charges $10.78 per AUM but employs a park ranger to live on the property and keep track of or move livestock and perform repairs to fencing and water infrastructure'. The City of Boulder currently charges $10.00 per AUM and justifies this lower rate as a balance in terms of what ranchers receive from the lease and what Boulder's Open Space program receives for in -kind services from ranchers. Boulder County has switched to an AUD system (Animal Unit Day) which could be investigated as an alternative to using AUMs at Soapstone. Both Andy Pelster and Rob Alexander concede there are added challenges and expenses for ranching at an urban interface, and although they provide ranchers access to local pasture their Open Space programs ask their ranchers to put up with a lot in return2. House/ Caretaker 16. Do you or your agent wish to occupy the house at the Headquarters in the northeast portion of the property and perform caretaker duties? If yes, please provide the name of the individual performing this role. We wish to retain Frank Luark and his wife at the Heaquarters house to perform duties as caretaker/ranch manager. We have a good working relationship with Frank and he has expressed his desire to continue as Folsom's ranch manager. If Frank retires or a new ranch manager is needed, we would work cooperatively to find a replacement mutually acceptable to Folsom Grazing Association and the Natural Areas Program. ' Charlie Gindler, Laramie Foothills Open Space Manager, Larimer County Parks and Open Lands. Personal communication, 1/6/2010. 2 Andy Pelster, Natural Resource Specialist, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks; and Rob Alexander, Senior Resource Specialist, Boulder County Open Space. Personal communications, 1/5/2010. IN Appendix A Proposed Folsom Grazing Assocation 2011 Budget Expenses Jan Feb Mar Air May Jun Jul &U-9 Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Managers Salary $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 12,000 Additional wages $ 404 $ 404 $ 404 $ 404 $ 404 $ 404 $ 404 $ 404 $ 3,232 Taxes $ 232 $ 232 $ 232 $ 387 $ 387 $ 387 $ 387 $ 387 $ 387 $ 387 $ 387 $ 232 $ 4,024 Health Insurance $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 3,600 Workmen's Comp $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 300 $ 400 $ 3,700 4 wheeler rent $ 400 $ 400 Insurance (Liability) $ 750 $ 750 Tax (Possessory) $ 600 $ 600 REA $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 175 $ 2,100 Telephone $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 90 $ 1,080 Ranch Maintenance $ 500 $ 500 $ 1,000 Salt & Mineral & Hay $ 2,000 $ 2,000 Truck Lease $ 600 $ 600 $ 1,200 Fuel $ 500 $ 500 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 500 $ 7,800 Legal Fees $ 500 $ 500 $ 1,000 Accounting Fees $ 500 $ 500 $ 500 $ 500 $ 2,000 Miscellaneous $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 3,000 Ranch Expense Subtotal $ 49,486 Leases City of Fort Collins Lease $ 13,350 $ 26,700 $ 40,050 (750 units X 5 months X $10.C8 = $40,050) Grazing Expense Subtotal $ 40,050 Monthly Total $ 3,447 $ 2,847 $ 4,047 $ 7,356 $ 16,956 $ 5,106 $ 4,206 $ 3,606 $ 4,106 $ 3,606 $ 30,306 $ 3,947 $ 89,536 YTD Total Expenses $ 3,447 $ 6,294 $ 10,341 $ 17,697 $ 34,653 $ 39,759 $ 43,965 $ 47,571 $ 51,677 $ 55,283 $ 85,589 $ 89,536 Assumptions Per Unit Units 750 $'s per Unit $ 119 ($23.80 per month for a 5 month grazing season, $21.64 per month for a 5.5 month grazing season) January Association Fee $ 25 Going In Fee $ 50 Going Out Fee $ 44 January $25 Association fee ma reduce " oin out" fee 11 Appendix B Figure 1. Proposed fencing and corral upgrade - .., .. 4Y951iCtliTy011PYae a t rk r- , {�w i l PIIiF @�I t Urte RA6he1lt Rana Jl vsa ' M ry0gp%r Maiya ! , Lindenmeier r O „t Archaeological t Site .s tf munlvms Wn"n% r,,Famly. fl _ rUdiltlPsf�R7"i �d10/'JW.aX�r�zj i' O _ Cl o° �I , pp0wi^qm 00*wl�' w} Q y 0 4 i . f KEY_. �" =, Fence ....... Water Corral �� � PPo9gtue• ,. �. • Y + i\ 4tAChrS t9lYg6 b, PEil�A►r! ! o� LA t y} 2� Y �I ®I Map adaptedfrom original. Source original: City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. 12 ,i Is an LIAM a axx aaaaMa raa�ara■ �.aa�i • Gas.�aa�ia�i IF Ito i { 1 F 1 Figure 3. Proposed improvements to western portion of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area KEY Fence........ Water O Corral 0 ,pG�OQ R 2z Can or,`Pasture" _3 Y Ar Lindenmeier ,> Archaeological ♦ Site sp.eou�S,m :° ""4 " Y • 2 " t" '{v: L•f ..1i'/ _ r't1'I:RXpasture' � ."•• ram, "' • I i I� �+ '�,.,1'/ 4 w 'f • \ • a E1 34 35 X, R tii ..�JS .• +�:.X� W �f�i�� 1 P�� Jl,� •� ? �: ti4'1 ,� t _ � � i��i':�' 1 1` y ;t t .',� t ;�" e ✓t`,`•r' South Roman c.`: ,•, ,Pa�StuCe 41 i(`y. ��� , �� � � .��� �� � �� .✓ ^. kn,E,. , �`�'3!a� 4\ z4N � „ J} 1 t � tt 3 f �: 4, �# j ,��"w'•�t �.��'a..F.!`�.A ! p�. ♦ ,1' w' - `�w ir. *'"4'�e.�`� � 1 `,{`r t C. S ''I t Map adapted from original. Map source: City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. 14 Figure 4. Proposed improvements to southern portion of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area KEY-' Fence Water D Corral ROE)@@a �`" ! • eput��R�Otnarl�`,,,ti V. `6*ure ,Brannigan Pas"iure r _ .fir y,� a� .31 �Y»t• `� _, ' l- �.+1 ':� _ �� +.. �, R+f' 10 BelnarC '1 ' , t • a ;Pasture x ; ,`' : f: r4.it.1A �.. t } 1r�Q �• �. r _ ..� _i�..(`+... -k \422NI- i;.. �t� i it 1 '. �`. 23 r. '�• ^ice - .{ 1k, ai•tt�1'o t• i ",. k ! i jhV Note that these reservoirs��_ V! do not typically hold water .' ,'t �� t•� 4 27(.,�, Map adapted from original. Map source: City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Prograin. 15 Figure 5. Proposed improvements to eastern portion of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area � 'y�li Z ��ti I���y� 1} 1 n frltk r3 ai �. �.'Y 7�.,,'`� � •'� il.:.l Ranch house t�Y l''L �`1..��rti ;...,,4..,1 % f State Line Pasture , 'hire c ttc - `Meadow P r� .*� a TZ { -10 • �La nr �( _ 1 C 17 -'[7O4 O'O.PjiL,OAO G O ,000O�LIO `.. OOOO]C0 Brannigan.P'astu e _ y it �: JaekIsprmgs w q V - Past au�e�,' v q Ion on i Y _J !i'lii "� k3i f v ' W. fzj( �� '' v : i,.,' �:•' :, �' p} *" r }jam �_ .»P„�� 16 Map adapted from original. Source original: City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. Appendix C Weed -Eating Highlights • Trained cows eat Leafy spurge, Canada thistle and Spotted Knapweed in pasture and train their calves too at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana in 2004. • Trained 50 heifers to eat late - season diffuse knapweed for • Boulder County Parks & Open ` Space, CO in 2007 and in 2008 YES = they and their calves learned to " eat dalmatian toadflax. • Created a Canada thistle "strike force" for the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group, MT, by training 328 cows and 38 bison. We trained 110 pairs at one ranch, and learned that it is possible to train with cake feeder onto the ground. We Can Get You Started! Presentations & Workshops Kathy is a popular presenter at ag-related confer- ences. Her talks are full of video of cows and people learning about weeds, and she even makes science.fun. Workshops are a great way to get a whole group of ranchers started turning their cattle into weed man- agers. Kathy will spend a day with your group making sure everyone leaves with a plan for training as soon as their weeds start coming up, and follows up with phone consultations. Training Packages Can I say what a nice Presentation you gave? Not just the content but the way it was put together!' "Motivational! Inspirational" "You really think outside the box, but it makes so much sense!" We offer a variety of training "Having you there t o packages that can be modified to meet your specific needs. answer questions it l -_ We can help you over the phone needed d you was very and Internet, or we can work with ni was nice to you and your cattle on -site. For hear that reassuring examples of packages visit: h" http//www.l*v sto kforiandsapes voice on the other end." com/ahandup htm Instructional DVDs • Introduced 50 heifers to black mustard forVandenberg Air Force Base and they were eat- ing plain mustard on Day 5! You can order DVDs on-line. Watch r..• w«• 4a.. the training steps in action, discover = - the science behind the process and see how it's worked for others. Want to train 110 pair? See how it's done. �.:.r ,,•,;., Want to train in pasture? See how it looks in action. Participating ranchers talk about what to expect from your cattle. Contact Kathy Voth Today! kvoth@livestockforlandscapes.com 17 Wi z'd, ae, t,. 3 1- t I Kathy Voth Livestock for Landscapes, LLC 6850 W CR 24 Loveland, CO 80538 (970)260-2185 www.livestockforiandscapes.com kvoth@livestockforiandscapee.com Statement from. the Board of Folsom Grazing Association: The past three years have been a learning experience for Folsom Grazing Association and we welcome the opportunity to build upon what we have learned. As good cattlemen and cattlewomen, ranchers that pride themselves on honesty and integrity, and upstanding members of our community we hope we have demonstrated ourselves as successful collaborators in managing grazing with the Natural Areas Program. We are committed to being responsible land stewards and partners. This proposal was developed with the help of a Master's graduate from the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources program and Master's candidate in the Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology program at Colorado State University. We believe it reflects our desire to ensure that grazing management by Folsom Grazing Association would be compatible with conservation objectives at Soapstone. We, the Board Members of Folsom Grazing Association, submit this 7083 Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Grazing Lease proposal for your consideration. Sincerely, vV Willie Altenburg Board President Folsom Grazing Association ` ue U Erc Board Member Folsom Grazing Association Paul 14ussbaum Board Member Folsom Grazing Association Ja ie Worthington Board Member Folsom Grazing Association Folsom Grazing Association 1 570 E County Rd 64, Fort Collins, CO, 80524 1 (970) 568-7792 Discover a "New" Weed Why Use Your Cattle to Management Technology Graze Weeds? Cow-S-c bool­ Kathy Voth has been training cows to eat weeds since 2004 when she first developed the training steps in a pilot project at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. For her first attempt she taught 19 heifers to eat Canada Thistle, Leafy Spurge and Spotted Knapweed. She's tested her process on a wide variety of weeds, from the very prickly to the very bitter, and has trained cattle in dry lot and in pasture. The process works every time because it's based on universal animal behavior principles. Trained cattle continue to eat the target weeds every year, and have even added other weeds to their diets on their own. Best of all, trained cows teach others! Of course cows teach their calves, but they teach their herd mates too! In California 12 cows taught 120 more, and now the whole herd is eat- ing Italian thistle. Montana steers a learned to eat Can- ada thistle from 40 trained heifers in the next pasture. So we can make training easy on us. Teach a small group of weed -eaters and let them do the rest of the work for youl To reduce costs, increase forage, and control weeds! U.S. farmers and ranchers spend over $5 Billion for pasture and range weed control every year. Yet, weed populations con- tinue to expand at about 14% per year. When you graze weeds you turn a problem into a forage, and research shows that grazing can effectively reduce or control weeds. Best of all, since weeds are nutritious, cows gain weight at or above ex- pected rates, and breed back and calve normally. In fact, in 5 years of training, weed -eating cows have never suf- fered a health related problem from grazing weeds. 18 Go for it! It's so easy and it doesn't take that much time. Jan Kluver, Ranch Resources It's been a great help! 1 have high hopes for it. i Steve Wood, Horse j Creek Hay and Cattle a1..Know Your__We_e_d _Nutrition,_Ri10gbility-_To�cins-=_13educed__I0tgke Be sure your plant is safe before you decide to feed"it. 2. Choose the Right Animals Young and female, healthy, and a manageable _number and -temperament -3.+8uild on HowyAnimals Learn --- 'Get animals used to trying new foods_by feeding _,_ them new and different things. When you introduce weeds, it will be just one more unusual, nutritious food for them to try. 4. Practice in Pasture ----------------------------------------- Trainees have to learn how to graze a new plant. M, Give them time and a smaller -space. . Weeds Eaten So Far Canada thistle Distaff thistle Leafy Spurge Italian thistle Spotted Knapweed Diffuse knapweed Sow thistle Milk thistle Musk thistle Wormwood Sage Bull thistle Black mustard Canada goldenrod Dalmatian Toadflax Appendix D Volunteer, Feedback 9l29/2009 Tamm _ ___.._ yAmold-Fwd:Thank !! From: Tammy Arnold To: Figgs, Daylan; Saunders, Erica; Schafer, Susan; Sears, Mark; Stokes,... Data. 9/2812009 2:53 PM Subject: Fwd: Thank youll Hi all, Though I would share this email I received from one of the riders who joined in on the September 19 Cattle move at Soapstone. We had 16 riders and amazing weather[ Thanks, Tammy >>> Stephanie <stephirwiriftehoo.com> 9/23/20094:55 PM>>> Hi Tammy, I wanted to thank you again for inviting me on the cattle drive last Saturday. What a fantastic experience! Not only did I (and Maverick!) have loads of fun, it was a teaming experience for both of us. It's one thing to hear or read about the benefits of controlled grazing, but quite another to see first hand the improved pasture conditions where the cattle have been. Point made. Thanks also for the tips on working with cattle. Please also pass on my appreciation to Willie, Dennis, Frank and the others who allowed us to participate. I think it must be a rare trail for those whose income depends on successful cattle management to allow us 'city slickers' such access. tt wras terrific to gain a first hand glimpse of the various aspects of the job. This opportunity was fulfillment of a dream. And the pair of eagles that soared so dose to the truck on the way out of Soapstone was the crowning highlight. This day will go into my collection of spirit4ifting memories! Pricelesst Still flying, Stephanie 19 (9i3/009) Tammy Arnold,,- Fuvd: Thank yoq. _ _ Page 1_`: From: Tammy Arnold To: Figgs; Daylan: Saunders, Erica; Schafer, Susan; Sears, Mark; Stokes,... Date: 9129120091:23 PM Subject Fwd: Thank you Here Is another thank you we received from one of the riders from last week's cattle drive that I thought everyone would enjoy reading. Thanks much, Tammy Arnold Administrative support Supervisor Natural Resources Department City of Fort Collins (970)221-6288 tamold@fcgov.com >>> <dsbholland*aim com> 9128/2009 4:16 PM >>> Hi Tammy, Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate with my horse in the cattle drive last week. It was absolutely Incredible and a dream come true for me. My horse also enjoyed it completely, he had more life, more energy, more drive than 1 have felt In him in a long time. This was a very unique experience that is not easily found for someone living with horses in this area. I hope that the City of Fort Collins continues with the City Slickers program, to give more people an opportunity to experience what I did. It really is difficult to describe, but the Soapstone Open Space is a very unique and special place. To be able to ride horseback through that area and have the full experience of a real cattle drive is spectacular. I have also very much appreciated the guided horseback tours through that area. Kudos to you & the City of Fort Collins senior managers for putting this together, and a huge THANK YOU to Willie Altenburg for his incredible Insight in understanding what this means to horse lovers to be able to help him with moving his cattle. Thank you Tammy for your sense of humor, your generosity, sharing your exceptional knowledge of the Soapstone areas, and your excellent horsemanship skills -it has been a pleasure riding with you & Reno. Sincerely, Dianne Holland 20 Folsom Grazing Association acknowledges receiving "Addendum No. 1" to "RFP 7083: Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Grazing Lease." Firm Identification 1. Please provide full identification of the person(s)1 firm(s) responsible for the proposal submitted.• Name(s), address (es), telephone number(s) or email address (es). If more than one entity is combining to submit a proposal, please provide contact information for all entities, but you must designate one as the primary point of contact. Firm submitting proposal: Folsom Grazing Association 570 E County Road 64 Fort Collins, CO 80524 Point of Contact: William Altenburg, Board President (970) 568-7792 willie@rmi.net 2. Please supply the name(s), address(es), and phone number(s) of two references. a) Wayne Kruse b) George Wallace Centennial Livestock Auction 1824 W County Rd 66 113 NW Frontage Rd Fort Collins, CO 80524 Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 568-7676 (970) 482-6207 Firm Qualifications & Resources 3. Describe the knowledge and experience you have in range management andlor livestock management. Our grazing association consists of eight member -ranchers representing over 420 years of collective range and livestock management experience. Currently, we manage over 19,700 acres (aside from Soapstone) as range or farmland. Individually, our livestock experience ranges from 33 to 70 years. We possess extensive experience and a breadth of knowledge, ranging from large animal veterinary medicine to 4-H leadership. We are members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Larimer County Cattlewomen's Association, and Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. Our members serve (or have served) on the Advisory Board for CSU Cooperative Extension's Renewable Resources Extension Act program, the Board of the American Simmental Association, the Board of Directors for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, as President of the Beef Improvement Federation, and as Chairman of the National Seedstock Council. It is also essential to have a knowledgeable, experienced, and reliable ranch manager to oversee daily livestock operations. Frank Luark, our current ranch manager, has been involved in livestock operations most of his life. He worked for the Monfort feedlot (Greeley and Gilcrest, CO) from 1965-1980 and 1992-1997 where he was responsible for the daily health care of-10,000 head of cattle. From 1980-1992, Frank was ranch manager at the Terry Ranch and responsible for 2,000-2,500 yearlings each grazing season. In 1997, Frank became the ranch manager for Soapstone Grazing Association (and resident of the current ranch house) until 2004 when he was retained by Folsom Grazing Association (Folsom) to serve as ranch manager. 4. Describe your operation and the resources you have available for grazing management (e.g., livestock— please be specific on animal type and number, personnel, equipment, etc). Operation(s) Our grazing association is comprised of eight individual cattle operations, each ranging in size from 50 to 250 head of cattle. All operations produce beef cattle and one operation also produces beef seedstock. Livestock Among our members, we run different breeds of cattle and different herd compositions (proportions of cows/calves and bulls). Our members do not often change cattle type between years but herd size and composition can fluctuate annually depending on grazing fees and the market price of beef. Currently our herds consist of Black Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, and "Super Baldy" composites; some members use Charolais bulls. Not all of these would necessarily be grazing at Soapstone. Personnel As a grazing association, we currently employ a full-time ranch manager (Frank Luark), a part-time ranch manager's assistant (Frank Luark's wife), and a part-time bookkeeper. As individual cattle operations, we have few paid personnel but many volunteers. Traditionally, ranching is a family and community enterprise. Thus, our workforces consist primarily of immediate and extended family members, friends, neighbors, and volunteers. One of the benefits of being a grazing association is that we are able to share resources with each other when needed. Equipment A complete inventory of equipment owned by each rancher would be exhaustive. We provide a list of the basic equipment needed to run a successful livestock operation which we collectively either own or lease: • Cattle trailer(s) • Horses • Backhoe • All -terrain vehicle (ATV) • Pick-up truck 5. Describe your financial resources: Do you have the financial resources to successfully continue or launch a grazing enterprise on Soapstone? If you do not currently have all necessary personnel, livestock, equipment, etc, what capital investments will be needed? Where will the capital come from? Before final selection, proposers will be expected to supply proof that they have the financial capability to execute the proposal. Our grazing association currently possesses all necessary resources (financial, personnel, livestock, equipment,* etc.) to successfully operate a grazing enterprise on Soapstone. We do not foresee needing additional capital investments. As a grazing association, we are a non-profit entity. Our financial capability to execute this proposal may be best demonstrated by a summary of our proposed operating budget for FY2011 (Appendix A). Note that this is a tentative budget based on a few assumptions. We are able to stay financially solvent as individual livestock operators when our expenses per AUM do not exceed our revenue per AUM. The grazing fee paid to the Natural Areas Program is only one component of these expenses. If grazing fees or other expenses increase and AUMs decrease at the same time, the dollar per unit cost of operating a livestock operation on Soapstone may become prohibitively expensive. 2 Grazing Management Proposal 6. Please explain your range management philosophy. What are your goals for grazing the property? How do you feel your management would help the Natural Areas Program achieve our goals related to the conservation targets outlined above? Our Philosophy Our range management philosophy may be best demonstrated by our actions rather than our words. Our members have run cattle at Soapstone for between 10-45 years and we. believe the good condition of the land when it was purchased by the Natural Areas Program is a testament to our stewardship. We have always put the health of the land first by utilizing rotational grazing, moving cattle when grass becomes short, and removing cattle in drought years. During dry seasons, cattle go into pasture later in spring and come out early in fall. Responding to the needs of the land is a must for good range management. The presence of endangered plants, a diversity of shortgrass bird species and mammals, minimal disturbance to and no poaching of the Lindenmeier archeological site, the ban of moss -rock harvesting, and regulated hunting attest not only to our range management philosophy but to our natural resources management philosophy. We have a love and respect for the land at Soapstone beyond just a place to graze our cattle. Our Goals As cattle producers, we concede our ultimate goal is to maintain a livelihood by raising healthy, grass-fed beef for consumption by the public. As long-time Front Range residents, we recognize that large pastureland close to home such as Soapstone provides will become increasingly rare. We strive for a long-term partnership with the Natural Areas Program in which our ranching practices help achieve Soapstone's conservation goals and the grazing lease helps eight local livestock producers stay in business by providing local access to good pasture. In terms of this proposal, our goal is to demonstrate that we are not only good range and livestock managers but we are good partners. We are willing to learn and willing to work cooperatively to ensure cattle grazing is managed in line with conservation goals at Soapstone. How Our Management Can Help Achieve the NAP's Conservation Goals We cannot take good care of our cattle without taking good care of the land that sustains them. We believe cattle grazing is compatible with and can be effectively managed for achieving Soapstone's conservation targets. Controlled livestock grazing is one of the most sustainable uses of native prairie. As the Natural Areas Program recognizes, well -managed livestock grazing can benefit vegetation in a shortgrass prairie ecosystem through increased productivity, reduction of excessive litter, weed control, and hoof action to loosen soils and incorporate seeds; it can also help provide a habitat mosaic to support a variety of wildlife species. However, a particular grazing prescription may benefit one conservation objective (e.g. weed control) at the cost of another (e.g. nesting songbird habitat). As many bird species are more attracted to large grassland patches than small isolated ones', we believe that managing pastures as large units rather than many small ones may be preferable. At the same time, subdividing larger pastures into smaller ones (permanently or temporarily) is needed to develop a rotation system that can achieve the habitat mosaic intended at Soapstone. Subdividing pastures incurs more expense by requiring additional fencing, additional`water sources, and higher intensity livestock management but it would allow more management options for grazing intensity and duration as well as longer rest periods for smaller pastures. Since conservation objectives vary in different areas of the property, grazing management can be adjusted for each area/pasture by controlling animal numbers, grazing frequency, grazing duration, timing, and 1 Gillihan, S. W., D. J. Hanni, S. W. Hutchings, T. Toombs, and T. VerCauteren. 2001. Sharing Your Land with Shortgrass Prairie Birds. Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Brighton, Colorado. 36pp. selectivity. We will use our knowledge and experience, NRCS' Conservation Planning Assistance service, CSU's Agricultural Extension service, and any other resources available to develop a grazing system with the Natural Areas Program that works in concert with Soapstone's conservation goals. We are amenable to trying new management scenarios as long as it does not threaten the safety of our livestock or the viability of our livelihoods. 7a. Provide an explanation of how you propose to manage livestock on the property. Include the number of animal units, how they will be distributed, and the approximate dates you plan to graze. Include a proposed rotation schedule for the first year of grazing. Implicit in managing free -ranging livestock is responding to the needs of the land. We hope to continue the past tradition of meeting each March to assess conditions at Soapstone and determine the year's grazing plan. We anticipate rotations and timing will be reviewed and revised prior to each grazing season. Needless to say, we know adaptive management requires flexibility during the grazing season to address circumstances as they arise. In situations where this incurs additional expenses or responsibilities to us, we may be more able to respond if help can be provided through proportionate financial compensation (or credit) or reduction in other responsibilities. The number of animal units used at Soapstone -is part of a rancher's own adaptive management to the changing costs of grass (i.e. leased pasture), hay and grain, and the market price of beef. It is also a response to the annual carrying capacity of the land and the resulting cost per AUM. In our prior experience grazing at Soapstone, we have grazed as few as 432 AUMs due to extreme drought conditions and as many as 720 AUMs in years with high forage production. We foresee reviewing and revising pasture grazing prescriptions prior to each grazing season. Generally speaking, we graze herds in sizes of 200-250 head of cattle depending on pasture conditions and water availability. Approximate grazing dates are typically late -May to late -November at Soapstone, depending on range conditions. Below is a proposed rotation schedule for the first year of grazing (2011). In developing this rotation we assumed 750 head of cattle, a number that we recognize may change. Actual dates and rotations could also change depending on range conditions in 2011. We observe that creating more alternatives for grazing intensity and pasture rotations requires additional, fencing, division of pastures, and development of water sources. Temporary fencing could be used for high- or low -intensity grazing in smaller portions within these larger pastures to achieve a habitat mosaic at various scales. We notice this is a prominant theme among grazing considerations and pastures for the Natural Areas Program. Our recommendations for infrastructure improvements to achieve the proposed rotation schedule are provided in the following section (7b). Herd Entry Pasture Rotation Pasture Rotation Pasture Exit Date Date Date Date HerdA May 20 Meadow, HQ, June 20 Jack Oct 20 Meadow, HQ, Nov 20 250 AUMs State Line Springs* State Line Herd BI May 20 Bernard* (150 AUMs Aug 20 Brannigan n/a Brannigan Nov 20 Herd B2 Round May 20 100 AUMs Butte Herd D May 20 LR Sep 20 st Oct 20 East Canyon Nov 20 250 Cane on Rest phase South Roman and Tree pastures *Bernard and Jack Springs pastures are dangerous for cattle in late fall due to the possibility of snow storms and lack of shelter (i.e. flat topography, no trees or draws). For this reason, we often expect to remove cattle from these pastures by mid -fall. 4 7b. If you plan to combine or split pastures, add additional fence or other infrastructure, etc, note that as well. You can provide attachments, drawings, maps, etc to your proposal to help explain intended plans if you wish. We suggest installating the following infrastructure, in phases. Figures 1-5 (Appendix B) suggest placement. Exact locations would need to consider the lay of the land, conservation objectives at Soapstone, recreation use, and livestock health and safety. We mention for consideration that new pastures cannot be utilized until water sources contained within them have been developed. Phase A (prior to 2011 grazing season): • Install east fence for LR pasture. o Fence would run from north fence of South Roman Pasture, west of and parallel to Rawhide Flats Road, and intersecting with eastern end of the LR pasture's north fence. o Fence could be a buffer distance from Rawhide Flats Rd to preserve viewshed for visitors. o Fence would exclude the Lindenmeier archeology site from cattle grazing. o Fence would not intersect a recreation trail. • Develop water source in Round Butte pasture. Phase B (prior to I" rotation of Herds A and B —June 20, 2011): • Develop/move water source at Jack Springs Camp. • Split Jack Springs and Brannigan pastures. o Fence would be parallel to current north and south boundary fences in these pastures and tangent to southern end of current exclosure around Spottlewood Creek riparian area. . o This would result in 2 additional fence/trail intersections, one each in Jack Springs (seasonal trail) and Brannigan pastures. Phase C (prior to I` rotation of Herd D —September 20, 2011): • Install east fence of West Canyon pasture. o Fence would run north from eastern end of West Canyon pasture's southern fence to Soapstone's northern boundary. o This would add 1 fence/trail intersection. Fix water in southeast corner of East Canyon pasture. Extend south fence of East Canyon pasture. o Fence would run between the two northernmost recreation trails. o This would add 1 fence/trail intersection. Phase D (ideas, flexible timeline) • Alternative to developing Brannigan Springs as a water source. o Fence -out water in SE corner of East Canyon pasture and install 3 gates to allow access from East Canyon, Meadow, and Brannigan at different times by alternately opening/closing gates. o Could be an efficient way to utilize resources, minimize capital and maintenance expenses, and minimize disruption to natural resources. Could augment a water source developed at Brannigan Springs, or be an alternative to developing water at Branningan Springs. o This would add 1 fence/trail intersection. Fix -up corrals in LR pasture to working condition. o Current infrastructure is dilapidated and non-functional. o Fixing these corrals would allow flexibility for livestock management by providing an alternate location to treat and/or load sick cattle during the grazing season, or load/unload cattle at the beginning or end of the grazing season. 7c. What services, changes in infrastructure, funds, and/or resources would you provide? What services, changes in infrastructure, funds, and/or resources would you expect the Natural Areas Program to provide? We would like to continue our current cost -share arrangement which is typical of grazing leases on Forest Service lands. The lessor (e.g. Natural Areas Program) provides materials and installation for all grazing infrastructure, and the lessee (e.g. Folsom Grazing Association) provides labor for maintenance and repairs including filling/draining water delivery systems in fall and spring. If the nature of a maintenance or repair issue is extraordinary, we hope other arrangements could be discussed. To help reduce costs to the Natural Areas Program, Folsom Grazing Association can apply for assistance from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS). Our initial investigation into this possibility indicates we qualify as applicants to receive financial and technical assistance for water development (including spring development; windmills; water tanks; solar, gas, or electric pumps; and pipeline) and for permanent fencing (barbed, smooth, woven, electric high tensile). The EQIP program does not provide financial assistance for temporary fencing. Owning the land on which improvements are funded is not a requirement for EQIP but a long-term lease and agreement from the land owner is. Since the EQIP application requires a copy of the lease for the property on which improvements are proposed, we cannot be certain we would be awarded funding. However, we have consulted with NRCS (Mr. John Fusaro) and we fit all the application criteria, have obtained the application documents, and believe we are positioned well to receive a high-ranking for EQIP assistance. Our one concern to securing EQIP funding is that Folsom Grazing Association would be contractually obligated and financially liable with NRCS to maintain all EQIP-funded infrastructure on Soapstone for a minimum of 10 years. We would be uncomfortable making this commitment to NRCS without assurance from the Natural Areas Program that the grazing lease would be renewed annually for the 10-year duration, barring extenuous circumstances such as gross negligence or irresolvable conflict. We would discuss these concerns with the Natural Areas Program prior to submitting an EQIP application. 8. Specifically, how will you assist the Natural Areas Program in appropriate management of wetland and riparian areas (for example, your response could include things such as temporary fence, riding to move cows, placement of salt and mineral blocks, etc)? Temporary fencing and riding to move cows are two good options for minimizing cattle use of riparian and wetland areas but they can be expensive and time -intensive. Wetlands and riparian areas are inviting for livestock because they provide water, shade, and grass all in one place. During hot days, if there are no trees cattle will lie down in the shade of a bush or anything that casts a shadow. Passive measures such as strategic placement of salt and mineral blocks, livestock water sources (new or moving old sources), and artificial shade (e.g. loafing sheds) can provide alternatives for cattle and thereby direct use away from wetland and riparian areas. These management options may be better long-term solutions and more cost-effective. In the immediate future, we believe the water source at Jack Springs Camp needs to be moved out of the wetland area in which it is currently situated; two general locations are suggested in Figure 2. We also recommend water development in Round Butte pasture outside of the delineated wetland and riparian areas and at the juncture of the adjoining pastures so that only one water source is needed. There may be opportunities to develop water further away from riparian or wetland areas or in different locations altogether than what we have indicated (Figure 2). We believe NRCS has the expertise to help determine if there are other options. Ultimately, the development of water sources will depend on cost, feasibility, topography, slopes, soil types, vegetation etc. and should be engineered to minimize site -specific impacts. As mentioned previously, Folsom could apply for EQIP assistance to offset the Natural Areas Proram's expense for materials. Providing future nest locations for birds of prey has been identified as a conservation goal on Soapstone. The management tools mentioned above can minimize livestock foraging in riparian areas and thus help ensure recruitment of trees and shrubs for nesting. Once shoots have emerged, tree protectors may also protect young saplings from browsing by both livestock and wildlife. We have not observed much rubbing against trees by our livestock at Soapstone and don't foresee this becoming a problem. If it does, tree cribs could be used' in riparian areas or in the ponderosa pine stand (Tree Pasture) which has been identified as a feature of interest. We plan to continue our long-standing practice of grazing Headquarters, Meadow, and Brannigan Springs pastures only in spring and/or fall to minimize detrimental impacts to wet meadows in these pastures. 9. Specifically, how will your grazing approach assist the Natural Areas Program in weed control, especially for Dalmatian toadflax in the mountain mahogany shrublands? Livestock grazing provides a form of culture control for managing weeds.:Proper stocking rates to maintain competitive native forage species is a good approach in general. However, different types of livestock are averse to different types of vegetation. We are interested in the idea that cattle can be trained to eat vegetation that they would otherwise avoid. Livestock for Landscapes (Loveland, CO) has trained cattle to eat a wide variety of weeds including Dalmatian toadflax, leafy spurge, black mustard, spotted and diffuse knapweed, and several thistle species. The City of Boulder and Boulder County have used this training program for the past few years. We acquired a brochure (Appendix C) and are curious about this training program. If the Natural Areas Program is interested in this as a management option, we can look into it further. Regardless of what type of livestock is used for weed control, livestock grazing only reduces seed production and stresses Dalmatian toadflax. This plant is a persistent perennial that will readily grow back. We believe cattle grazing can be used to augment the Natural Areas Program's current chemical, biological, and mechanical weed control efforts. We feel using cattle for weed control is preferable to sheep or goats since plants native to shortgrass prairies have evolved with avoidance or tolerance mechanisms for large herbivore grazing. For example, 90% of plant biomass in shortgrass prairie native species is stored underground and left largely unharmed when browsed by large herbivores. Sheep or goats, on the other hand, can damage plant crowns (of native annual grasses in particular). However, mountain mahogany shrublands on Soapstone exist primarily in the East and West Canyon pastures and in the north and west part of the LR pasture. Since cattle cannot enter the East and West Canyon pastures until after the threat of Larkspur dissipates (about August 20), grazing sheep or goats may be the only type of livestock suitable for weed control in the Canyon pastures. We know the Natural Areas Program has utilized sheep for weed control on Soapstone in the past. If the Natural Areas Program is interested in the continued use of sheep (or goats), we are willing to incorporate a sheep or goat operator into our grazing plan (and lease, if need be) for the purposes of weed management. We know of several operators in the area. We are receptive to working with the Natural Areas Program for special projects, such as prescriptive high- or low -intensity grazing, which may or may not require adjustments to a given year's grazing plan. 1 Gillihan, S. W., D. J. Hanni, S. W. Hutchings, T. Toombs, and T. VerCauteren. 2001. Sharing Your Land with Shortgrass Prairie Birds. Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Brighton, Colorado. 36pp. 7