The California Native Plant Society stated it perfectly in their January Newsletter:  

Brentwood residents of the lower Sullivan Canyon watershed were shocked in early October to witness destruction of over 130 mature and old-growth California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), Southern California black walnut (Juglans californica var. californica), western sycamore (Platanus racemosa), willow, other shrubs and trees of a functioning riparian woodland. The woodland serves as a key biological anchor. It is located on twelve undeveloped acres that border protected open space owned by the City of Los Angeles and state. The perennial stream is one of very few within the City that remains viable after three drought years. The upland area of the parcel hosts sage scrub and chaparral habitat types. The environmental services this parcel provides are life-giving resources to the 20,000+ acres of the upper watershed locally known as 'the Big Wild' that extends along the Mulholland corridor in all cardinal directions.

The project site was permitted without public notice and in agreement with the developer's Mitigated Negative Declaration request to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. No environmental surveys were conducted. Vegetation reconnaissance, map, and monitoring by a City Forester or qualified biologist were not part of the permit, in violation of the City Ordinance 177404 'Protected Tree Ordinance.'

The two main permitting authorities are the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and US Army Corps of Engineers. The project proponent plans to construct a 12,000- square foot and 14,000-square foot mansion plus outbuildings in the narrow pristine canyon that is home to and nesting/birthing site for several avian and mammal species. The Army Corps permit allows decimation of the riparian area and undergrounding of the perennial stream to the stormwater system.

The builder requested in their building permit application to remove 25 coast live oak. The City issued a permit to take 51 coast live oak. The City authorized extensive earth removal of the steep slopes on the property for a total of 87,000 cubic yards to be hauled offsite. The projected soil removal equals 2,349,000 cubic feet or 8700 large size dump truck loads.

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VOL. 35, Number 1
California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a Cease and Desist order after learning about the taking of the 130+ trees. A community group requested a stay of the grading permit pending environmental review and public comment. Other agencies and groups are currently reviewing permits issued and asking for full CEQA review of this project, including and not limited to geological, biological, hydrological studies and onsite monitoring. Offsite mitigation requirements that are part of the permits may be challenged as the habitat values and services slated for destruction are not replicable elsewhere and necessary to sustain plants and wildlife of Sullivan Canyon and environs.