Since Encore University Hills purchased all of this land to the east of our LZ (around 2021), we have had their permission to continue using the Training Hill.  There is now a significant chance we could have that permission rescinded due to the actions of one or more CSS members.

A CSS member, without permission of the landowner or endorsement of the CSS BOD, has been storing personal vehicles, tools, equipment, supplies and other materials at the top of the Training Hill.  This stash of personal affects and equipment was placed there over a period of about the last two years.  An Encore University Hills Site Manager notified the responsible individuals personally, face to face, over a month ago.  Encore followed up with an email to the CSS BOD that was forwarded to those responsible individuals.  In early July, a letter was sent to the CSS Board by Encore Attorneys, notifying the club and the responsible individuals to remove their vehicles and other items from Encore property no later than August 1st.  That deadline has come and gone, no effort has been put forth by the responsible parties to honor the landowner’s requests.

I’m putting this thread on the forum for transparency, for respectful discussion, but mostly to let you all know how serious this is.  A small, but loud, minority of pilots have a tendency to rant about the BOD, about USHPA, CALFIRE, SB National Forest, well just about every authority, agency, or organization that governs our sport or our public lands.  I don’t know exactly what it will take to get these folks to understand that we are nation of laws, and the majority of us have no problem functioning just fine within the bounds of reasonable jurisprudence.  I think that we, as in the majority of CSS pilots who conduct ourselves with midfullness as fully formed adults, have to reinforce our values as responsible pilots and stewards of the land we are privileged to use for our sport.  We have to make sure that everyone understands that these types of behaviors that put our club and facilities at risk should not, and will not, be tolerated.

– CSS President-

John,

The Club still has permission to use the training hill for the time being.  The situation is mostly resolved at this point, the majority of the mess has been cleaned up.  Thanks for reminding me, I need to check in with the land owner, but we are ok for now.

Cheers,

Luke

I’m sorry to have to report this, but this situation is NOT resolved.  Here is an update;

To start with the good news, the CSS member that was storing personal equipment and other stuff on the hill has removed it (most of it anyway).  That part of this situation has cooled down.

The other issue on the Training Hill is the Squatter that has been residing there for some time.  Unfortunately the CSS has received a letter, as a follow up the original notice of Trespass from July, that essentially holds the Club responsible for enabling the Squatter to continue illegal activity by allowing him access to our property as a non-member, which in turn he uses to illegally access  Encore Property, and also allowing him to use CSS resources to sustain his lifestyle.

Unfortunately for us, the Property Owner is not wrong, and we would lose if this became a legal matter.  It’s pretty clear cut, we can’t defend this situation.

This issue goes much deeper than just the Training Hill and the total history is more than just the recent few years since Encore purchased the land to the east of our LZ.  I will likely start a new thread on this as an independent matter for comment and discussion, as well as share the letter we received so that everyone understands the gravity of the situation.