Pendleton

National Forest Grazing Opportunity

NATIONAL FOREST GRAZING

OPPORTUNITY

The Monongahela National Forest is accepting bids for seasonal livestock grazing on the Smokehole Champ and Allegheny allotments in Pendleton County, WV.

Allegeheny. This allotment is located 2.6 miles from Rt 28/55 off of Smokehole Rd. at Cabins WV. Contains approximately 17 acres and is permitted for 5 Animal Units.

Smokehole Champ. This allotment is located 5.5 miles from Rt 28/55 off of Smokehole Rd. and contains  Approx. 40 acres of pasture (appox 20 acres in 2 separate pastures). Pastures are separated by .75 miles. A total of 12 Animal units permitted for this alloment (6 for each pasture).

One bid winner will be awarded for both allotments and a 10-year term grazing permit will be issued to the person who, in combination:  1. Is willing and able to carry out the necessary maintenance and repairs to existing allotment facilities, such as fences, gates and watering facilities, as will be agreed upon beforehand between the permittee and the Forest Service, and then incorporated into the permit and/or annual operating instructions.   2. Can graze the number of animal units closest to the allowable stocking.   3. Submits the highest bid.

The minimum grazing fee bid is $8.50 per animal unit per month.  An animal unit is defined as one adult cow with or without a nursing calf, a bull, a steer, a yearling, a horse, a mule, a donkey or a burro, in any combination.   A bid deposit is not required.  The grazing fee established by bidding will be adjusted each year thereafter by applying an annual bid adjustment factor.  This may result in an increase or decrease to the established grazing fee each year. Applicants must own the livestock they intend to graze.  Applicants must own, or have legal right of use of the base property necessary to adaquately care for the permitted livestock should it become necessary to remove them from National Forest lands during the grazing period.  The base property shall have the necessary facilities, such as fences, water and forage to handle the permitted livestock.  The Forest Service may require an inspection of the base property prior to issuance of the permit.  Only one member of a household can bid on the allotment.  Prior to bidding, persons are encouraged to inspect the allotment(s).  The high bidder will be required to complete and submit an Application for a Grazing Permit.  The permittee will be able to use fee credits to make Forest Service approved improvements to allotment(s) in exchange for carrying out these improvements at their cost, the permittees grazing fee will be reduced by the value of the work accomplished.

Persons interested in bidding should provide in writing; their name, mailing address, phone number,  the number and types of livestock they intend to graze and their bid to: Troy Waskey, District Ranger, Cheat/Potomac Ranger District, P.O. Box 368, Parsons, WV  26287.  Write “Grazing Bid” on the front of the envelope.  Bids must be signed and received by close of business April 20, 2017. Bid opening will begin on April 24, 2017, at 10:30 in the Parsons office. Bidders are welcome to attend.  Bidders will be notified of the results of the bidding.  The Forest Service reserves the right to reject any or all bids.  For additional information, call Charles McDaniel of the Cheat office at 478-2000, ext. 107.

The Forest Service is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. 3-30-2c