Attorney Jeremy Dzubay announced on Tuesday, Dec. 8, that all environmental charges against Charles Lawrence Fowler by Lake County District Attorney Jon Hopkins have been dropped and Charles Fowler will have no conviction on his record concerning CR 018694 and CR 911760. CR 911760 was filed Jan. 18, 2007 and CR018694 was filed May 1, 2009.
In a settlement, Fowler agreed to pay a $500 administrative fee, due to a loader that fell into Adobe Creek while his hired mechanic was transporting it. Fowler claimed that he was waiting for the creek to go down before attempting to pull it out. Attorney Dzubay said, “Brake fluid was found in a container for brake fluid. Gear oil was found in a container for gear oil. Organic fertilizer was found in metal containers.” CR 018694 alleges hazardous material was being dumped at an illegal disposal site, but all charges stemming from April 2008 were also dropped.
Fowler is a former certified organic farmer and he wants people to know about what he sees as corruption in Lake County Code Enforcement practices and established procedure.
Multiple notices of violation were sent out concerning Fowler”s 340-acre ranch. Fowler said he went along with the department and agreed to dispose of garbage at first.
Fowler remembers one county complaint that alleged his cattle were loose on the road. Fowler said, “I had sold my cattle before then.” When code enforcement visited his ranch, Fowler said he was in the hospital and not able to defend himself.
Another violation involved green waste dumped by Lakeport Disposal Company with Fowler”s permission, for composting. However, plastic trash bags and other items found by code enforcement among the green waste were not part of the agreement, according to Fowler.
The California State Environmental District Attorney”s Office became involved and a crew of workers authorized by the District Attorney appeared April 28, 2008 without notice wearing hazardous waste body suits. Fowler said, “I was held prisoner in my own house while inspectors with warrants took samples around the ranch. The warrant stated I would be allowed to observe. I was refused permission to accompany them and take my own independent samples.” Fowler also said that his computer was confiscated when he had been told they would only inspect it.
According to Fowler, if Lake County Supervisors had proceeded in awarding the bids to their contractors the money would have been put on his property tax rolls and he would have lost his ranch.
Fowler did get his computer back from the district attorney”s office. Fowler said it will be difficult to return the ranch to its former status as an organic farm that produced beef, pork, pears, wine grapes, and hay due to the loss of breeding stock, essential equipment removed by code enforcement, and worker housing.
A civil complaint Fowler filed against the Lake County Supervisors is currently on appeal concerning these violations. Fowler said, “I still question the resources expended on harassing me that could have been used to help some one in need who is homeless. Instead they were trying to make me homeless.”
Fowler”s ranch which was settled in the 1800s is empty now, but at least Fowler still has his land and his health has improved. He wonders about others who have lost their property due to code enforcement in Lake County.
Joan Moss
Kelseyville
