Valerie Cassity
Special to the Sun

With a Nov. 24 court order that would end stocking the Kern River with non-native rainbow trout, more than 50 people packed into the Kernville Chamber Community Building for the Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR) December meeting. It was standing room only at the Dec. 3, meeting as everyone wanted to hear the details of a ruling that could have a profound negative impact on local tourism and the many businesses that also depend on tourism dollars.

Fish Stocking to Cease in Kern River by Court Order

In foreground, left to right, Ken Kasha, Jim Hunt, Ron Gillentin and John Strange, far right, listen to Christy McGuire, Fishery Biologist with the Department of Fish and Game speak about the court order to stop stocking the Kern River with non-native rainbow trout at the Dec. 3 KRVR meeting in Kernville.

Guest speaker Christy McGuire, Fishery Biologist with the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), gave a presentation about the recent court order to stop stocking the Kern River with non-native rainbow trout. Isabella reservoir will not be affected by the ruling, which was given on Nov. 24, after the Center for Biological Diversity and Pacific Rivers Council filed a lawsuit against stocking non-native fish in all California rivers that contain one or more of the 25 threatened or endangered species listed in the suit. McGuire explained that there is one species of concern in the Kern River, the hardhead minnow, but it has a thriving population here despite the stocking of non-native fish for over 70 years. The DFG is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to show biological evidence that the hardhead minnow is not in danger from stocking. “There is no biological reason to stop stocking the rainbow trout,” said McGuire. “I’m here to express the Department’s interest in working with community leaders and members to get our river back.”

Many Kernville business owners turned out for the meeting, concerned that if the river is fished out, their livelihood could be jeopardized by loss of tourism dollars that would ensue. John Strange, Sporting Goods Manager of Sierra Gateway Market, was especially concerned with this. “The problem will be once we lose the tourists to other areas, they are gone for good,” he said.

Guy Jeans, owner of Southern Sierra Flyfishing in Kernville, makes his entire living from guiding fishing trips on the Kern River. However, Jeans believes that the court order is not a death sentence for trout fishing. He suggested that the Fish Hatchery begin stocking only native rainbow trout, which is acceptable in the suit. Former Hatchery Manager Greg Kollenborn explained that the shift to native trout is already in the works, but will take 3-5 years before catchable fish are produced. A KRVR board member suggested that those concerned create a proposal to the plaintiffs showing biological evidence of the thriving hardhead minnow population in the Kern River, and request to be able to continue stocking the non-native rainbow trout until the native fish stocking program is feasible. KRVR President Joe Ciriello passed around a sign-up sheet to start a committee on this issue so that the Kern Valley can present the information to the plaintiffs with one voice. “It’s time again to rally around our hatchery and river to get this minnow issue resolved,” said Jim Hunt, President of Friends of the Hatchery.

To learn more about this, or to sign up to be part of the committee, go to KRVR.org and look for Kern River Fish Stocking Issue.

KRV Fire Safe Council Gets Results

Lloyd Smith, President of the Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council (FSC) gave a presentation about the group’s mission, goals, and activities. The non-profit FSC’s vision is to create a wildland fire safe community in the Kern River Valley, and their mission is to “Provide awareness through education and information exchange, and to facilitate interagency coordination, fire protection and fire safety projects within the KRV.”

They complete their mission through various ways, including the KRV Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is a living document reviewed and updated annually which contains the risk and threat assessments that are the foundation for the KRV grant-funded fuel reduction projects. The FSC also has a hearty education program, which includes the speaker’s bureau, which has given a presentation to “nearly every group in the valley;” their website, krvfiresafecouncil.org; and their two annual publications which come as inserts in the KV Sun: Living with Fire in the Kern River Valley and Living With Fire – A Guide for Property Owners. They also do hands-on community projects, including chipper days, demonstration lots, and roadside signs. The FSC held five chipper days in 2008, which are a community service to residents, businesses, and other groups who have completed their fuels reduction and defensible space work and want an alternative to burning the debris. The FSC brings the chipper and a KCFD work crew, and all they ask is to be provided lunch. To schedule a chipper day, or to learn more, visit the FSC’s website at www.krvfiresafecouncil.org.

Kern Valley Hospital Foundation to Organize Non-Profit Open House

Jeanette Rogers announced that KV Hospital Foundation is seeking to create a month-long series of open houses at the non-profit offices throughout the Kern Valley. Residents would be invited to visit 7-8 non-profits a week throughout the month of April, to learn about the many good causes that exist in our community. Each non-profit would be responsible for hosting their own open house, but the Hospital Foundation will organize the event and have a raffle drawing for the top 100 community members who visit the most organizations throughout the month-long event. Look for more information in subsequent issues of the Sun.

Whiskey Flat Mayor Candidates Found

Cheryl Borthick, President of the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, announced that there will be some exciting new additions to Whiskey Flat Days this year, including a new “Western Express Railway,” a trolley car that festival-goers can ride which will encompass the entire WFD experience, including the rodeo grounds and cowboy and Indian encampments. Rides will be $1/each or $5/day unlimited. Businesses can purchase a route sign for their window for $100 each.

Also, the Chamber has found three community-minded individuals to throw their cowboy hat in the ring as a candidate for 2009 Whiskey Flat Mayor. Jim Crawford will be running for the Kern Valley Youth Center, Bronco Bob will be raising money for the Kernville Elementary PTC and Woodrow Wallace Booster Club, and Carter Pope will be running for the Kern Valley Youth Football League. “I’m so thrilled that all three candidates will be raising money for the youth of the Kern Valley,” said Borthick.

Christmas in Kernville

Borthick also announced that the Kernville Chamber will hold their annual candlelight stroll this Friday, Dec. 12, at 5:30 p.m. at Circle Park. The stroll will include caroling around the circle, a performance by the Kern Valley Sweet Adelines, and a living nativity, followed by cookies and cocoa at Big Blue Bear.

The following evening, Dec. 13, is the annual hot rod toy run, followed by Santa’s first 2008 appearance at Circle Park.

Toxic Roundup

There will be a toxic roundup for household waste on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Family Life Center Gymnasium in Wofford Heights, from 8 a.m.-noon.

KRVR meets the first Wednesday of every month, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 9 a.m. at the Kernville Chamber Building. For more information, visit www.krvr.org. KRVR is a collaboration of local agencies, business owners, and concerned citizens working to facilitate the social, natural, and financial health of the KRV for this and future generations. Everyone in the Kern Valley is invited to come share their ideas at the Community meetings, as everyone who lives here is a stakeholder in our community’s future.