Tuolumne Utilities District Utilizes Goats for vegetation Control by Tuolumne Utilities District Aug 7, 2025 Member Submitted News Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) is pleased to announce the continuation of its innovative and eco-friendly approach to vegetation management at Phoenix Lake. Following last year’s pilot program—where 150 goats quickly and efficiently cleared 2.5 acres of invasive species such as star thistle and blackberry bushes—the District has expanded the initiative this year. In July, the goats returned to work at Phoenix Lake and are grazing a larger span of 4.8 acres, further advancing sustainable land management for TUD. From July 24th to August 19th, the goats will be left to graze with the primary objective of reducing invasive plant species that have been proliferating around the Phoenix Lake Dam, which hinders the natural ecosystem and poses maintenance challenges. Encouraged by the positive outcomes, TUD plans to utilize goats for similar vegetation management tasks in early Spring at the Tuolumne Water Treatment Plant. The use of goats for vegetation management offers numerous benefits, including reducing the need for harmful chemical herbicides, lowering carbon emissions from machinery, preserving the natural landscape, and offering a cost-efficient land management solution. “We’ve been really impressed by the effectiveness of the goats,” said Kurt Bayers, Raw Water Superintendent at TUD. “They have exceeded our expectations, clearing invasive plants quickly and thoroughly while allowing us to manage the land in a way that’s environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.”
