Letter Illegal Grading on the Jouquin Ranch Property

Chatsworth--If possible, please spread the following word to equestrians that may be riding along Browns Canyon Road, north of the Jouquin Ranch gates.

I received a call from the Conservancy this afternoon requesting assistance with illegal grading on the Jouquin Ranch property. Based on info I received, I drove to the location (to make sure I could locate the grading site before calling the Sheriff and Building & Safety). I found - 2 bob cats (mechanical species) and at least 1 mile of illegal grading. It appears that someone is attempting to grade through Conservancy property in order to gain access to yet unknown adjacent property(s). Bldg. & Safety is meeting with me in the morning and we will travel to the site in preparation of issuing a Notice of Violation. From what I saw, someone has been grading for quite some time, including last Saturday when the Mountain Rangers found 2 men operating the equipment and ordered them to cease immediately.

Please spread the word to equestrians and let them know that someone is illegally grading in the area. Location is a short distance past the Jouquin Ranch gates (gates are yellow and are inoperable) and on the south side of Brown's Canyon Road in a flat area. Road grading leads easterly from the flat landing and then curves toward the south down the canyon. Because the equipment is still sitting on the Conservancy property, I have reason to believe that they may return to continue their grading efforts. If anyone happens upon active grading activity (people operating equipment), please call the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station immediately and ask them to dispatch a car to the site. Let them know that the Supervisor's office and County Bldg. & Safety have confirmed that the grading activity is illegal and it should be shut down immediately. We will proceed with issuing violation notices, but this doesn't always immediately stop the activity. The Sheriff, however, can take immediate action to stop the grading.

Lost Hills Sheriff's Station: 818/ 878-1808 (Note: Call the Sheriff only if active grading activity is taking place. DO NOT approach anyone participating in active grading activity AND DO NOT indicate that you are going to contact the Sheriff (we want to catch the culprits.) Leave the immediate area and call the Sheriff.

Thanks for your help.

Patti Friedman, Sr. Deputy, 5th District

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich

Tel.: 818/ 993-5170

E-mail: pfriedman@bos.co.la.ca.us