Open Space Advisory Board 2018 05 09 Final Minutes

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes May 9, 2018 Page 2 of 5 and Caria which supplies a food source for predators and raptors. She stressed the importance of considering and maintaining the entire ecosystem not just a few aspects or species. VIII. Discussion Item: Boulder County Parks and Open Space Updates; Presented by Jeff Moline, Resource Planning Manager A. Background for Jointly Owned Agricultural Properties managed for agricultural purposes: Jeff presented a list of jointly owned properties and showed their location on a map. County agricultural OS is leased out either as a cash lease ($ per year) or as a crop -share (growing expenses are shared as well as crop revenue). Water Assessments line item = $ paid by County as ditch assessments to Ditch companies. Northern Boulder county has more reliable water & higher water assessments. Assessments vary according to work needed to be done on the ditch. Property Basis & $/yr Crop Acres Water Assessment Mineral Rights owned by City? Admore/Bowes Cash Rent, $6,500 Organic grass & hay 141.2 $2,533 * Bldr Cty Land Venture Cash Rent $5,000 Organic grass & hay 138.1 $1,859 Callahan Crop Share; net $795 Alfalfa, grass, hay, transitioning to organic 37.0 $592 * Harney-Lastoka Cash Rent, $1,500 Wheat 88.1 $3,850 * Mayhoffer 15 & Esmail OS Crop Share (net $1,580-3,350) Winter Dryland Wheat 154.4 & 36.1 NA * Trillium Cash Rent, $2,500 (reduced due to transition) Transitioning to organic alfalfa, grass 142 $874 * Warembourg- Louisville Grazing & Crop Share; net $4,851 Alfalfa, Grass, Small grains, grazing 212.4 $2,600- 3,488 * Warembourg- Lafayette Grazing & Crop Share; net $3,667.61 Grass and Hay 109 * * Mineral rights ownership can be found here: https://www.bouldercounty.orq/property- and-land/land-use/planning/oil-gas-development/#maps Laura asked how the leasing is handled, and if tenants re -up each year. Jeff explained that staff assesses land value & publicizes land available for lease, emphasizing stewardship. Leases can be renewed for 2 years at a time and are usually renewed. Some of the tenants are "aging up", which is a concern. Leasing split lots is tough due to irrigation issues, but smaller lots demand less big equipment & would be more attractive to younger people. Laura observed that when OSAB evaluates properties for possible agricultural acquisition, we have been prioritizing large parcels and wondered whether the County wants us to also consider smaller ones for this reason.