County officials alert Montecito homeowners that they face prosecution, including daily fines of $850 if stones are not removed

County officials alert Montecito homeowners that they face prosecution, including daily fines of $850 if stones are not removed

Montecito, California, is known for being home to Oprah, a former royal family, and a stunning stretch of coastline. It’s also home to miles of trails, some of which are being blocked by residents hoping to stop people from accessing public hot springs.

Santa Barbara county has been watching encroachments on East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road in Montecito since at least 2022, when they sent letters to residents warning them to remove large stones.

Last month, county officials sent letters again to at least six homes alerting residents to remove the stones by 28 March or face civil or criminal prosecution, including daily fines of $850. The county insists that these roads are a public right of way.

The issue seems to be with parking at the trailhead, where a tiny lot allows for just eight vehicles. When that fills up, hikers have to park on roadsides. The hot springs contain six bright blue pools that are located 1.3 miles from the trailhead in the San Padres Forest, surrounded by a deep forest and rocky hills. It became popular during the pandemic when hiking surged in the area, and has also taken off on social media as a destination.

  • BigMacHole@lemm.ee
    64·
    7 months ago

    It’s a GOOD thing we don’t TAX these Wealthy People! Otherwise they might have to give US access to the National Parks we paid for since they won’t be able to Afford the Fines!

      • mPony@lemmy.world
        13·
        7 months ago

        what’s that? America holding The Rich accountable for their misdeeds?
        Well I guess there’s a first time for everything.

      • melpomenesclevage@lemm.ee
        7·
        7 months ago

        No fuckthat. That was the solution forty years ago. Not that the US government ever would.

        We need guillotines now. We need justice.

    • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
      10·
      7 months ago

      The courts will be fining these individuals unless the boulders are removed, it’s already been decided on. So, to clarify, the mean taxation govment are the ones protecting people from the rich people in this situation.

      • Huff_Chuggems@lemmy.world
        20·
        7 months ago

        I hear what you’re saying, but the problem is that fines don’t affect the rich the same way they do everyone else. It’s not a level playing field.

        • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
          6·
          7 months ago

          They’re ordered to remove the boulders even while they’re paying the daily fines, so if they don’t remove the boulders they’re going to be looking at further prosecution.

          Personally, I really hope they escalate things even further so they can charge them enough to expand education or other public services. I want to see more zeroes on the fines. IDGAF about cramming 10 people in some blue water pools.

          • Aniki 🌱🌿@lemm.eeEnglish
            6·
            7 months ago

            Mate the lawyers that live in those towns will eat the township’s attempts at clawing any amount of money from these scum sucking parasites before their morning coffee cools down.

      • melpomenesclevage@lemm.ee
        6·
        7 months ago

        The rich and poor alike are forbidden from stealing bread?

        Except if a poor person fails to pay the fine, they get locked in a cage. The rich ‘person’ will fightbitbin court for a century, til they’re long dead.

        • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
          2·
          7 months ago

          I’ve said this so many times now, but on top of the $850 daily fines they will face further prosecution if they don’t remove the boulders. They’re ordered to remove the boulders, they cannot make that go away with money in any legal avenue.

          • melpomenesclevage@lemm.ee
            1·
            7 months ago

            Uh huh. Why do they care though? Its basically an expensive rental.

            They’re not going to be punished. Thats not what laws are for. Not unless theres a mob of people with pitchforks and torches, and the parasites need to be rescued with a wrist slap and some community service.