Expansion Investigation
United States of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation
Los Vaqueros Reservoir, California

Burleson analyzed parcels located in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties and provided market information for several different alternatives pertaining to the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Investigation, which included.

Alternative 1: Delta Pump Station, Delta-Transfer Station Pipeline,
                    and Transfer Station
Alternative 2: Transfer Station and Transfer Station for
                    Bethany Pipeline
Alternative 3: Transfer Station-Los Vaqueros Pipeline, Transfer
                    Station, andIn-Watershed Facilities

Burleson's scope included:

Review of Contra Costa and Alameda County Land Records
Completion of a Field Assessment
Documentation of Results

Burleson analyzed all properties for each alternative that would be impacted temporarily or permanently by the project construction. Temporary impacts were those impacts that would occur only during the construction period, and were assumed to be on property within 250 feet of each alternative location. Permanent impacts were evaluated and considered for all property within 40 feet of each alternative location.

Burleson reviewed land sales and valuation information for the parcels within each alternative investigation location. The assessors parcel information was gathered using DataQuick Property Finder Information Systems (DataQuick 2008). Research and documentation of the legal and physical aspects of each parcel, including ownership, parcel map identification, and general locational attributes were compiled.

During January 2008, Burleson completed site visits to the parcels. The site visits included observations from adjacent public roadways of most parcels (a few of the parcels were not inspected due to locked access roads). Burleson ascertained whether the county assessor's document improvements were accurate. Aerial photos were used to identify use and improvements on parcels that were not able to be observed from public roadways.

Burleson used the county assessor's information and roadway site visits to establish property type categories, based on legal and physical aspects, and establish property value ranges applicable to each category.

Land use associated with the parcels included row crop, orchard, residential land, and pasture. The parcel sizes within each land use were used to create the property type categories and determine property value ranges for each category. Burleson then assigned each subject parcel to a specific category based on their legal and physical aspects.