Goats are back on the BART property in Contra Costa County.
The goats are used to eat dry brush and grass in an effort to decrease the risk of a wildfire.
According to Glen Eddy, BART’s Assistant Superintendent of Way and Facilities, Grounds Maintenance, the goats are used in place of lawn mowers and other power tools, which increase the risk of sparking a fire on the drought-stricken grass and increase the safety of human workers, who once had to scale large inclines to clear the same – and very steep hillsides. Goats are also naturally quiet creatures, thereby decreasing disruption to neighboring areas.
And in case you’re wondering, the goats are protected from the tracks and trains by an electrified fence.
16 comments
Goats are baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
To stop a fire, feed a goat. Looks like they already cleaned up the area.
Is grass eater a Bart union job?
No, each goat is an independent contractor with a negotiated fee per pound of grass eaten.
You herd right.
Independent contractor so they are paying them bank.. You can battle with a UNION, but independent contractors with the necessary paperwork to work for a government district is usually no competition and they can charge pretty high.
They’ll work for food.
I saw them on the hill by the WC station yesterday, really brightened up my afternoon.
Good news. Although sometimes herds of goats cause cars to slow down and look on the freeway. This causes a huge backup.
…goats are protected from the tracks and trains by an electrified fence. Also known as the third rail!!!
I looked at buying a house where the neighborhood used goats to “mow” the lawn. The fees were really expensive not to mention the restrictive rules.
They didn’t like that I wanted to eat one of their grass fed goats.
THE GOATS ARE BACK IN TOWN!
I went to a wedding on Mt. Diablo in the 70s and they cooked a goat on a spit for the reception, a little stringy in my opinion.
Love the goats. My neighborhood rented a herd last year. They were great.
This subject is going off the rails and getting into the weeds… let’s stay on track.
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