677 Buena Vista

This is a 40.3± acre property zoned AG, property was formerly leased to an organic strawberry farmer, who farmed the flat upper 20 acres for 3 years or so. A new well was drilled by Maggiora Bros, yielding 400 GPM. An endangered plant, the Santa Cruz Tarplant was found on the lower 20 acres, and the County/Fed has placed a restriction on farming or development on the lower 20 acres. We were unsuccessful in renegotiating the farm lease and the farmer decided to vacate the premises, taking the pumping system for the well, but the casing is still in place and can be reestablished as needed. The original well next to the barn is still in place at 9 GPM. There is a potential to split the property, with a mostly flat upper 20± acre parcel with no deed restrictions, and the lower 20± acres dedicated to the Tarplant management as required. The plan mostly calls for running cattle on the tarplant acreage. Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a non profit that may take on the tarplant management.