The California Department of Fish and Game banned the stocking of Trout in the Kern River in November 2008. This ban was due a lawsuit filed by Center for Biodiversity  claiming the Hardhead Minnow may be harmed by stocking. Fish and Game have completed a study which finds the Minnow is not impacted by stocking of Trout, however the most recent plan from Fish and Game still proposes to continue the ban on Trout stocking in the Kern River. This would be devastating to fisherman and local businesses.

The following letter along with 13 pages of comments was submitted on behalf of the community to the California Department of Fish and Game in support of resuming Trout stocking in the Kern River. It is very costly to review these plan documents, which are hundreds of pages long and make these kind of substantive comments. Our efforts are funded by people like you. Please make a donation so we can continue work to restore Trout Stocking as well as preserving Lakeside access and more.

STEWARDS OF THE SEQUOIA
Division of CTUC non profit 501c3
PO Box 267
Lake Isabella, CA 93240

November 16, 2009

Jim Starr
California Department of Fish & Game
830 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Subject: Comment on Draft DFG Hatchery & Stocking Program EIR/EIS
Clearinghouse #2008082025

Dear Mr. Star,

We are submitting these comments on the Hatchery Stocking Program EIR/EIS October 2009, on behalf of Stewards of the Sequoia, Kern River Fly Fishing, Fish & Game Habitat Club, Friends of the Hatchery, Pasadena Bait Club, Kernville Chamber of Commerce, Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lake Isabella-Bodfish Homeowners Assoc, Sierra Fly Fishing, California Trails Users Coalition, Bakersfield Trailblazers, Southern Sierra Fat Tire Association, High Desert Multiple Use Coalition, CORVA, as well as the public who enjoy fishing in the Lake Isabella area. 

Since this is a combined EIR/EIS please consider this a comment on each under both CEQA and NEPA.

 We support the continued health of our environment. We support actions based on solid science to actively preserve our environment, the economy and the public interest. We oppose regulations which harm the environment, the economy or the public.

 As you know the fish stocking ban has had a huge negative impact to the local Lake Isabella economy. Apparently the ban has had no beneficial effect.

 We understand that the Department of Fish and Game has been stocking in the Kern River for over 81 years meaning any changes in the program will have an effect on the historical culture of the area.

 Based on your findings of Less Then Significant Impact, we urge you to remove the Kern River from the “No Stocking” list.

 We urge you to ensure that Alternative 2 allows stocking to resume in the Kern River. 

The signers on this comment letter have volunteered over 4500 each year to help stock fish in the Kern River, provided Fishing Programs for the Handicapped as well as for Children, volunteered over 1000 hours on habitat conservation programs and collectively adopted 20 of the 22 multiple use trails in the Sequoia Adopt A Trail program in the planning area. We therefore represent the segment of the public that cares enough about the planning area to roll up our sleeves to help.

Additionally both Chambers of Commerce are signers, representing the local businesses in the planning area, also the Lake Isabella-Bodfish Homeowners Assoc representing local residents, who encourage California Fish And Game to resume stocking of trout in the Kern River in order to benefit the public and the local economy.

 Thank you for considering our comments on the following pages.

 Sincerely,

• Stewards of the Sequoia

• Kern River Fly Fishing

• Fish& Game Habitat Club

• Friends of the Hatchery

• Pasadena Bait Club

• Kernville Chamber of Commerce

• Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce

• Lake Isabella-Bodfish Homeowners Assoc

• Sierra Fly Fishing

• California Trails Users Coalition

• Bakersfield Trailblazers

• Southern Sierra Fat Tire Association

• High Desert Multiple Use Coalition

• CORVA

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