Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

State Assemblymember Jean Fuller chaired the Oct. 13 Fish Hatchery Informational meeting held at the Seniors Center in Lake Isabella. She was joined at the head table by Jeffery Single, Regional Manager and Jim Starr, Staff Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Fish and Game.

Fuller had requested of Don Koch, Director of the California Department of Fish and Game, that one of four public hearings held statewide to receive comments on the draft EIR/EIS be held in Bakersfield. She also requested an additional informational meeting in the Kern River Valley.

Jean Fuller, left, looks on as Jim Starr, of Department of Fish and Game, answers questions from the audience about the Draft EIR/EIS.

A 2006 lawsuit filed by the Pacific Rivers Council and the Center for Biological Diversity against DFG claimed that its fish stocking operation did not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In July, 2007, DFG was ordered by the Sacramento Superior Court to comply with CEQA regarding its fish stocking operations. Under the court order, stocking of the Upper Kern River was halted and the DFG had to complete a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

One positive result of the lengthy meeting was that DFG agreed to make the Fish Hatchery & Stocking Program EIR/EIS more readily available around the Kern River Valley. CD and printed copies are now at all three of the Kern River Valley Library branches, the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Kern River Hatchery (Planting Base) in Kernville. This is largely due to the efforts of Richard Rowe of the Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR) and Judy Hyatt of Supervisor Jon McQuiston’s office.

The Hatchery Program EIR/EIS is a daunting document to peruse as it is over 1,500 pages in length. Fuller added, “A lot of people are saying that is too hard for them to download off of the Internet.” Members of the public are being strongly encouraged to review the document and even if they have already written a letter or signed a petition, they are also being asked to make further comments to CA DFG. Comments can be emailed to dfghatcheryeir@dfg.ca.gov.

Fuller encouraged those present to attend the Wednesday, Oct. 28 EIR Draft Review meeting which will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield. She stated that it is imperative that the real economic impact of the stocking ban must be taken into consideration. In addition, it must also be taken into account that the minnows and trout in question coexist at the Hatchery and that gutted trout have not been shown to ingest the minnow in question. Fuller added that without input from the public, the Department of Fish and Game may continue the ban on stocking the Kern River for a further two years or even indefinitely. “The whole idea is that people will go down and give their comments again. But they have to turn their comments in in writing in order for it to be considered on the record.”

Single commented after the meeting, “I am hoping that based on all of the discussions that we’ve had with folks in the past and here today that the comments that come from the community will actually strengthen support for the EIR and that we will be able to get back to doing our job in trying to get some fish out for the people to catch.” His colleague Starr stated, “I’m hopeful that what we have in this version of the EIR will get us to the point where the Kern River can be stocked again as it is described in there.”

Brian Barnes of Kernville commenting on the stocking ban stated, “I just find it really sad that after 80 years, this (stocking) can be put to a stop. I really can see no reason behind it. Economy wise, it is going to hurt a lot of restaurants, a lot of businesses in general. Weekender’s and visitors come up here to fish and that’s not going to continue to happen.”

The Kernville Chamber is exploring the possibility of arranging free bus transportation to the meeting. Those interested in traveling down to Bakersfield by bus must call the Chamber at (760) 376-2629 to reserve a seat.

KRVR will be facilitating a working session on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce. This session which will be held at 6:00 p.m. is for individuals who are interested in learning how to comment effectively on the Draft EIR. for more information, call (760)333-4561.