Action 3.
Flood Control District Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 11/15/2016
- Title:
- Acquisition of Riverstone Ranch
- Submitted By:
- Britt Hanson, County Attorney
- Department:
- County Attorney
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
2
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Britt Hanson or Karen Riggs
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Chief Civil Deputy
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve Agreement conveying Riverstone Ranch from The Nature Conservancy to Cochise County and authorize the Board Chair to execute all documents necessary to close the transaction.
Background:
As part of the County's efforts to recharge water into the aquifer of the the Sierra Vista sub-watershed, and to otherwise assist in water conservation efforts in that sub-watershed, the County has been negotiating with the The Nature Conservancy to acquire the 1,811 acre Bella Vista Ranch. The Agreement to Convey Real Property that is the subject of this agenda item will accomplish that. The County will not pay any money for this acquisition.
As with the acquisition of the Mansker property, upon acquisition, the County will grant a Conservation Agreement to The Nature Conservancy. One difference is that whereas with Mansker the County retained the right to sell one parcel to a third party for use as a residence, the Conservation Easement for Riverstone allows the County to sell up to three such parcels. Proceeds of any such sales are supposed to be used to further recharge efforts. The Conservation Easement also allows other potential uses, such as a County facility including a road yard or educational facility, not to exceed 15 acres.
The acquisition will come subject to a grazing lease Lee Wood. Income from the grazing lease is $1,200/year, with a maximum of 600 AUMs. The Flood Control District will manage these leases.
Accompanying this agenda item is a separate agenda item to acquire Bella Vista Ranch.
As with the acquisition of the Mansker property, upon acquisition, the County will grant a Conservation Agreement to The Nature Conservancy. One difference is that whereas with Mansker the County retained the right to sell one parcel to a third party for use as a residence, the Conservation Easement for Riverstone allows the County to sell up to three such parcels. Proceeds of any such sales are supposed to be used to further recharge efforts. The Conservation Easement also allows other potential uses, such as a County facility including a road yard or educational facility, not to exceed 15 acres.
The acquisition will come subject to a grazing lease Lee Wood. Income from the grazing lease is $1,200/year, with a maximum of 600 AUMs. The Flood Control District will manage these leases.
Accompanying this agenda item is a separate agenda item to acquire Bella Vista Ranch.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Move towards closing
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The County will not have Riverstone available for a recharge project.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Have the Chair sign two originals of the agreement and forward to Britt Hanson to distribute to The Nature Conservancy