volunteers planting trout in the Kern River.

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Kern River Hatchery volunteers planting trout in the Kern River.

Latest situation:

DFG: Kern River Fish Planting to Resume “probably in a few weeks”

The Final DFG Hatchery Operations EIR/EIS was released on January 11, 2010.

What happens when an EIR is completed?
Key sections of the Final EIR/EIS:
Appendix K - Mitigation Strategies for Effects of Fish Stocking [8 page 2995 kb PDF file ]
Appendix M - Responses to Comments [1,256 page 6.2 mb PDF file]
More information & FAQs about DFG's hatchery programs, related studies & the EIR/EIS

Plaintiff's press release following release of final EIR/EIS
Center for Biological Diversity 1-18-2010:
California Fish & Game Releases Flawed Report on Fish-stocking Impacts, Fails to Propose Measures to Protect Native Fish

Example letter to Judge Patrick Marlette

Jim Hunt, past president of Friends of the Hatchery, asks a pointed question
about the proposed mitigations included in Alternative 2, the DFG’s preferred
alternative that recommends continued stocking of trout in the Kern River.
Also at issue, at the Oct. 28 meeting in Bakersfield, was DFG’s lack of
analysis of the economic impact the court-ordered prohibition is having on the valley.

 See more details here Kern River Fish Stocking Issue (updated frequently)

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Maria Rivas with a hatchery-raised Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which had been planted in the N fork of the Kern River by the Kern River Hatchery. Riverside Park, Kernville with the Long Beach Casting Club on 11-4-06. Photo: Guy Jeans.

KRVR posts the following information to inform residents of the Kern River Valley about this issue. KRVR has not taken a formal position on this issue as yet.

The situation as we understand it:  

• In 2006, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pacific Rivers Council filed a lawsuit against California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) claiming that DFG's fish stocking operation did not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• In May 2007 the Sacramento Superior Court ruled in favor of the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pacific Rivers Council against the DFG that stocking hatchery fish has a “significant environmental impact on native species of fish amphibians and insects”.
• The DFG was ordered to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by the end of 2008. In October, 2008, the DFG told the court that they would not be able to complete the EIR until January 2010. In response, the Court ordered DFG to work Center for Biological Diversity and the Pacific Rivers Council to negotiate an agreement by November 24, 2008 where stocking can take place until DFG’s completion of the required EIR.
• As of November 24, 2008, the DFG was temporarily ordered to stop stocking hatchery trout in 175 streams, lakes and reservoirs across California, including most of Kern River (see map & list at the bottom of this article). See Sacramento Superior Court's Tentative Ruling PACIFIC RIVERS COUNCIL, et al., v. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, Case No. 06 CS 01451
• The plaintiffs had a list of 25 species (below) which, if present, they would not agree to allow stocking of trout. This was the basis for the list of waters that were allowed or not allowed to be stocked. 
  

  List of 25 species
  
  
• There are exceptions. Stocking will be allowed in reservoirs larger than 1,000 acres, which includes Isabella reservoir (surface area: 11,000+ acres), and smaller lakes or ponds not connected to rivers or streams including Ming Lake, Truxtun Lake and River Walk Lake in Bakersfield, Woollomes Lake near Delano & Hume Lake in Tulare County. This may change over time. Current information on the lists of waters and new developments are available on the DFG website: www.dfg.ca.gov including Fish Stocking Program Will Continue Following Court Order & Bodies of Water that will be stocked by DFG 11/24/2008 thru1/1/2010.
• The Kern River is currently not allowed to be planted because it contains one of the 25 sensitive species on the list, the Hardhead Minnow (Mylopharodon conocephalus). The Kern River above Kernville and below Isabella to the mouth of the Canyon also contains hardhead, and the court order for not stocking also includes that entire portion of the river.
• Dr. Peter Moyle of UC Davis is recognized as the foremost authority on inland fishes in California. He supports taking the Hardhead Minnow off the list of species that are negatively impacted by trout stocking. He is working with DFG representatives in negotiations with the plaintiffs in this case. Dr. Moyle researched & wrote CalTrout’s excellent report SOS: California's Native Fish Crisis, released 11-18-2008. Formed in 1970, CalTrout is the nation's 1^st statewide conservation group supported by trout fishermen with an altruistic goal: to protect & restore trout and the beautiful places where they live.
• DFG has plans to raise the Kern River Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss gilberti) at the Kern River Hatchery. They would be allowed to plant that fish, if it were available now. BUT, that program is 3 to 5 years away from happening. The fish currently being planted by DFG are generic hatchery raised Rainbow Trout.
• The DFG is still fighting to get the Kern River back on the list of waters to be stocked.
• If the N. Fork of the Kern River is not restocked, it will be ‘fished out ’ very quickly according to DFG fish biologists & local KRV fishing experts.
• A local Kern River Valley ad hoc committee on the Fish Stocking Issue is headed by Jim Hunt of the Friends of the Hatchery, PO Box 901. Kernville, CA 93238-0901. Jim can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (760) 376-2895.
  
• Jim Hunt’s Letter to Friends of the Hatchery 12-8-08
• The Friends of the Hatchery circulated a PETITION which has now been forwarded to elected officials.
• IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING - Write a letter! For a list of names/addresses, click on FISH STOCKING ISSUE ACTION ALERT 1-23-09

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John Davis, owner of Kernville’s River View Lodge, speaking to Assemblymember Fuller; DFG Staff Fisheries Biologist Jim Starr standing.




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Staff Fisheries Biologist Jim Starr standing, Assemblymember Jean Fuller seated; KRV resident This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , speaking.

 

On Friday, April 17, Assemblymember Jean Fuller, (R-Bakersfield) hosted a public forum to discuss fish stocking of the Kern River by Department of Fish and Game. Many people spoke, including This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , President Friends of the Hatchery,Sherian van Matre, and John Davis, owner of Kernville’s River View Lodge, who stated that his business is down 30% due to the impacts of the fish stocking ban in the Kern River. As a direct result of the meeting

2009 KRV TROUT FESTIVAL CANCELLED

Kern Valley Sun 4-21-09: Fish & Game tagged, 'disingenuous'/

At the 5-6-09 KRVR Community Meeting This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it made an update & gave out this 17 page detailed handout, including e-mails with plaintiffs.

5-14-09 Press Release: DFG Announces Changes to List of Water Bodies to b Stocked Kern River No good news: South Fork (Kennedy Meadow in Tulare County) added to the list of waters that will NOT be stocked. No change on N Fork of the Kern River (still not being stocked).

DFG is currently developing a joint EIR/EIS that is anticipated to be finalized by January 2010. Check DFG Hatchery Operations EIR/EIS Page for information. DFG staff indicates that a Draft EIR/EIS is scheduled to be available in early June 2009 [now early August 2009]. You can e-mail DFG’s Fisheries Branch Sacramento James A. Starr This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to ask to be notified about the Hatchery EIR/EIS process.

KBAK-TV 29 6-2-09: Kern River Valley fights to resume trout releases
Communities in the Kern River Valley say they're being hit hard by a ruling that stopped the stocking of Rainbow Trout in the Kern River. Businesses say it is keeping tourists away. Fishing groups say the ban makes no sense.

 

6-29-09 Letter from Friends of the Hatcher President Jim Hunt to California Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman on the Kern River Fish Stocking Issue.

7-31-09 Response from California Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman to Friends of the Hatchery President Jim Hunt to on the Kern River Fish Stocking Issue.

7-3-09 Letter from Friends of the Hatcher President Jim Hunt to California DFG Director Donald Koch on the Kern River Fish Stocking Issue

7-29-09 Response from California DFG Director Donald Koch to Friends of the Hatchery President Jim Hunt to on the Kern River Fish Stocking Issue

8-14-09 E-mail response to Jim Hunt from Center for Biological Diversity

UPDATE: DFG Hatchery Operations Draft EIR/EIS release delayed again.
CA DFG: Draft EIR/EIS is anticipated to be released for Public review in Late-September 2009. These documents will be available on this Web page.

9-21-09: DFG Invites Comment on Draft EIR/EIS on Hatchery and Stocking Program
The draft report will be released Friday, Sept. 25 and comments will be accepted for 45 days. 

9-24-09: DFG Grants Fuller’s Request for Local Meetings
Assemblymember Jean Fuller, (R-Bakersfield), announced today that the Department of Fish and Game will host two meetings in the 32^nd Assembly District to hear public comment on the Draft EIR/EIS on Hatchery and Stocking Programs. One in Lake Isabella (Oct 13)  & the other in Bakersfield (Oct 28).

9-25-09: Fish Hatchery & Stocking Program draft EIR/EIS is available for review
The DFG/USFWS Fish Hatchery & Stocking Program joint draft EIR/EIS is now available for review. Please see the Notice of Availability for more details. Go to Draft DFG Hatchery EIR/EIS PDF downloads. A copy of the DFG draft Fish Hatchery & Stocking Program EIR/EIS can be viewed at the Kern River Hatchery (Planting Base), 14400 North Sierra Way, Kernville.

The Kern River Valley Art Association has a long history operating as a private non-profit since 1962. The association has begun on a process to assist us to develop a five-year plan to guide future administrations. We encourage all those interested in the arts to participate in this process.

Five Year Strategic Planning Process

I am pleased to announce progress in our efforts. Our call to artists to host forums was well received and the forums will be scheduled in March and April. We urge you to attend as many as you can and give us your thoughts, hope and dreams. The exact dates will be announced in the KRV Art Association March newsletter and will be posted here.

We are speaking to the Arts Council of Kern about some support for this process. Jill Egland, Special Projects person with Arts Council of Kern has offered to help us with the process. We will need to cover her expenses and expect that will be about $5,000.00 in direct costs over the next 4 months of work. She will act as a facilitator and keep accurate records of your recommendations. Jill has excellent skills and qualifications to produce a quality report from all of the information that we will use for many years. We have sought grant funding for this but to no avail. Grant funding is very tight these days, so if you are or may know someone you know wishes to make a tax deductible contribution to this effort, it is good investment in the future of art, education of our youth and our community well being.

The forum: Public Art will be hosted by Judy Deems in Weldon:  At this session we will determine how Public Art can play in our community. How can we get there, are there local artists that can provide that art locally. Is there a group that can facilitate the future of this concept?

The forum: Art Education: Meeting will be at Jaye Lynn’s house in Lake Isabella. Is there a role that we as artist can play in supporting the education of art in our community? Some of the subjects are art for youth, art for seniors, art for aspiring artists.

The forum: KRV Art Association Membership will be hosted in Kernville by Jeanette Rogers:  We have seen a dwindling membership and our retention has a lot to do with the aging population. They’re a few young people joining but far to few to make up for our losses. There is a challenge in gaining people who want to take a leadership role. Is there a way to expand the membership to businesses? Does the association have a role in something beyond the visual arts?

The forum: Art Shows will be hosted Sherry Gaskin at Something Good in Lake Isabella. We will discuss the future of community based Art Programs. Our art shows have lost the luster and quality and almost every one agrees that we need to make stride to bring up the quality to a higher standard. What methods can we employ and who has a passion for getting our organizational goals implemented in this area.

The forum: Art Park will be hosted by Emily Diggles in Bodfish, to discuss the design of the park and define a program of events that might be appropriate to the park. Work with the planning of the park through to completion of the designs.

Brian Storming Forums

It was felt that the Art Center location in Isabella should be broadened to several locations throughout the valley,

We will have a fire going in the fire pit and plenty of somemores and hot chocolate at the Art Park in Isabella (No alcohol please!). Another forum will be at Charles Toppings home in Kernville, We hope to offer a forum in the Weldon area and another at an additional location to be determined. Call me if you want to host a forum. These will be open discussions about anything to do with art.

Nominating Committee

We are forming a committee that will serve as a Nominating Committee. We have the following open positions: President, Second Vice President (Programs Chair), Secretary, and Treasurer. The first vice president is Judy Deems, who has a one-year term remaining. The president appoints publicity, historian, newsletter and parliamentarian. Those interesting in serving can call Shirley Davis at (760) 379-2844 or Pat Seamount at (760) 379-8516.

We are planning a show of oils and acrylics in April or May that will host selected artist at the Odd Fellows Hall in Kernville. All interested call me

This your association since 1962 a very long history. We have great hope for the future

Jim Davis, president, KRV Art Association (760) 379-2844
Kern River Valley Art Association
PO Box 588
Kernville, CA  93238-0588

Kern River Valley Art Association Announcements 

  KRV Art Association Forum on Art Shows Report