HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-15_Letter of Permission to Graze from Sterling Twisselman_Redacted
LETTER OF PERMISSION
This Letter of Permission is between the City of San Luis Obispo (“City”) and Sterling Twisselman
(“Twisselman”), with regard to the following:
A. City is owner of the Johnson Ranch Open Space and Laguna Lake Natural Reserve (“the
Property”).
B. Twisselman’s family owns adjacent ranch land to City’s Property, and Twisselman also leases
other private ranch land adjacent to City’s Property.
C. Twisselman has appropriate experience and equipment to implement grazing on portions of the
City’s Property.
D. City and Twisselman wish to manage the grazing pasture for the present grazing season.
Now, therefore, the Parties hereby agree that:
1. Twisselman is permitted to undertake an agricultural cattle grazing operation on the Property in
accordance with this Letter of Permission and generally accepted best management practices for
cattle grazing, including appropriate stocking rates and timing of rotation through the existing
pastures within the Property. To prevent damage to City’s Property during the wet season,
the timing of the grazing season must be made by agreement of the Parties in advance.
2. The condition of City’s Property is “As Is” and Twisselman shall be responsible for all fencing,
water, and other protective measures necessary to safely conduct the cattle grazing operation.
Twissleman maintains adequate insurance for his grazing operation, a copy of which shall be
furnished to City.
3. This Letter of Permission covers the term November 15, 2020 to November 15, 2022 and may
not be extended except by mutual consent of the Parties.
4. Notwithstanding the term stated above, City reserves the right to require that any and all cattle be
removed at any time for any reason within 48 hours of either written or verbal notification.
5. Twisselman understands that the Property shall remain open for passive recreational uses by the
general public during the term stated above. As such, vehicular access and use (ranch trucks,
ATVs, etc.) should be kept to a minimum speed and shall be for agricultural purposes only to
avoid user conflicts and resource damage.
6. Addresses and contact information of the Parties are as follows:
Mr. Robert Hill Mr. Sterling Twisselman
City of San Luis Obispo 761 West Foothill
990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 781-7211
by: by:
Robert Hill, Sustainability & Natural Resources Official Mr. Sterling Twisselman