DFG to STOP planting fish in the Kern

[Max]

If you go to the DFG website, it has all the waters they will, and won't be stocking. My question is, what is going to happen to the Hatchery? Wow!

[BIRDHUNTER]

Is it just me or is everyone as upset as I am about THAT JUDGE stopping the stocking of the kern and other bodies of water? do fools like that ever stop and ask themselfs? what will happen to the people who rely on these activities for thier living, or do they even care? do they just have an agenda and thats all that matters to them and to those who support them? first I will find some way to contact THAT JUDGE and let him know just where I stand, and how damaging to the Kernville economy his rulling will be. Second I will no longer purchase a Ca. fishing or hunting license untill the DFG has the nerve to stand up to judges like that and thier special interest groups. I think it's time for us to let those at the DFG know who actualy pays thier bills. If everyone would do the same i'm sure it would not be to long before the finacial damge to the State would be so bad they would have no choice but to overturn such careless rullings. unless I am wrong, hunting and fishing is a great source of income to this State, in the billions I'm sure. BIRDHUNTER

[Calduke]

New Stocking List

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/stocking/

[saugus bob]

Birdhunter. Many people are fustrated with the apparent inability of the DFG to do the studies that have been required by the courts on a timely basis. We have a similar problem with studies regarding damage to fisheries done by recreational gold dredgers and with the pumping of water to the south of the state from the Sacramento Delta. All of these studies have been required because a group or groups have filed a lawsuits in court alleging damage to fish.
The DFG knows the deadlines exist, supposedly has the expertise to perform the studies and yet they never seem to get them done. The judges in turn are a bunch of lawyers who probably a have no idea what the outcome of their decisions mean to outdoor enthusiasts or those whose lives depend upon said enthusiasts. The DFG has no ability to ignore the rulings nor any authority to overturn court oders. Most judges are not influenced by economic issues and try to decide issues based upon evidence placed before them by both sides. Many now tend to prefer to error on the side of the caution when it come to potentially endangered species. The only way to get around this is to replace any of these judges the next time they come up for election or if they are appointed, to let those who appoint them know how 'bad' they are. Also, some of these cases involve Federal judges. The plaintifs file in Federal court because State judges tend to be more sympathetic to the economic impact of these suits to the state or because the law in question is a Federal law not a state law.

[admin]

I'm also a board member of KRVR and attended the Wednesday session where the DFG Biologist, Christy McGuire spoke about this issue. A copy of the column I submitted to the KR Courier about the meeting follows, for your general info.

For immediate release:

Mike Ludiker / KR Courier / Contributing Editor – December 3, 2008

DFG Non-Stocking Agreement Draws Concerned Valley Residents

The December KRV Revitalization meeting drew a large attendance of worried civic organizations, local businesses and sportsmen. The turnout was seeking answers to the recent agreement between the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) and two conservation organizations, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Pacific Rivers Council (PRC).

What’s notable is both conservation groups are not even based in California. Readers may remember the Center for Biological Diversity, as the Tucson, Arizona group that insisted on measures to protect the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher from lake water levels in the 1990s. The Pacific Rivers Council is based in Portland Oregon, with an office in Polson, Montana. Both are dedicated to preserving all endangered species from extinction.

The two groups brought action in 2007 against the DFG to enforce a court order to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by the end of 2008. In October of this year, DFG told the court that they would not be able to complete the EIR until January 2010. The Court then ordered DFG to work with the two plaintiffs to negotiate an agreement by November 24, 2008 where stocking can, and cannot, take place until the EIR is completed.

The list of California lakes, rivers, creeks & reservoirs that would be affected by the agreement were based on the plaintiff’s list of 25 species that, if present, would place those waters on the “not allowed to be stocked” list. Unfortunately, the main stem of Kern River contains the Hardhead Minnow, one of the sensitive species on that list. Based on that finding, the agreement stipulates that some 22 miles of the Kern (between Kernville and the Johnsondale Bridge) be placed on the “no stock” list until 2010.

According to Christy McGuire, DFG Fishery Biologist at the Kern River Hatchery, “There is no biological basis for that decision.” Although on the list, findings show the Hardhead Minnow is thriving in the Kern River area.

Needless to say, the agreement is not acceptable to local businesses and fishing enthusiasts. Most in attendance agreed that immediate community action is of paramount importance. Petitions are already being circulated in public locations and the word is being passed on the Internet. Contact of our government representatives is another top priority. Many also felt that contacting the two conservation groups is an option that should be undertaken quickly. Apparently, studies are available showing the Hardhead Minnow is doing well with stocked trout in the Kern. Presenting plaintiffs with that study should prove our situation deserves reconsideration.

On the positive side of this issue, Lake Isabella and lower Kern River areas will continue to be stocked. Streams and creeks above Johnsondale, such as Peppermint, Dry Meadow and Freeman will also continue to be stocked as usual.

This is not the first time that community leaders and residents have come together to address concerns affecting our economy and interests. A pledge to immediately confront this issue was voiced by all in attendance. We also have many partners in that endeavor. “The DFG is still fighting to get the Kern River back on the list of waters to be stocked,” vowed McGuire.

For current lists of California waters affected and new developments visit the DFG website at: www.dfg.ca.gov The Courier will continue to report ensuing information on this important issue.

-30-

[Calduke]

Did Christie make any mention of the Kern River Rainbow - native to the Kern River??

[willy]

Wow! What a shock. This is going to have a very negative impact on the economy of the Kernville area. Stocking of the upper Kern has been a definate draw to fishermen and women for years (10 that I personally know of). In fact during the summer most of the fish that are taken from the Kern are stocked. We are experiencing about the same from the tree hugger groups up here in Montana. Bit so far they are losing. Sorry to see this happening. BTW... I have never heard of or seen a Golden Trout caught in the years I worked on the Kern in the areas they banned the stocking. The goldens don't like dirty diapers.

[Fishergal]

I like to hug trees as much as the next liberal, but I draw the line at indiscriminate and totally unfounded reasons to stop stocking the Kern. Let's face it--the Kern is not a pristine wild river, at least not in the areas that are dammed above and below Kernville and Isabella. It hasn't been that way for at least 100 years for cryin' out loud!!

I've been visiting the Kern and enjoying the fishing, the local businesses and restaurants for decades. I usually visit at least a couple of times a year for quiet and restful long weekends with great fishing and I have cherished these. I'd hate to see it all come to an end.

I've seen a lot of changes near the Kern over the years, and not all good, especially the real estate development below the lower Kern--I hope the greedy contractors and land owners are taking it in the shorts!! I certainly hope--especially in this economy--that the locals are up in arms about stopping this latest debacle.

PLEASE--let me know what I can do, who to write to or call to stop this insanity. I'm sure my fellow fishermen and women would like to help however they can!

[admin]

[quote="Calduke"]Did Christie make any mention of the Kern River Rainbow - native to the Kern River??[/quote]

Guy Jeans asked if there were any restrictions on stocking the native Kern River Rainbow. Christy said no restrictions apply to the natives. When Guy asked, why didn't they just stock them in the Kern then? She said they thought about it and dismissed it due to taking too long to get them into production. Another comment was made from someone who said, What happened to a $200,000+ grant that was given to expand the KR Rainbow stocking program? There was no reply.

Someone else asked why the EIR wasn't done yet, they've been working on it since 1996? Apparently, some contractor is getting $1.5 million from DFG to write the EIR. Question again is, why isn't it done?

There seems to be a very optimistic feeling that we'll get this reconsidered and return to normal stocking...if what the DFG says is true about the Hardhead Minnow thriving in the Kern there is no reason to stop stocking. The tree huggers shotgunned the lawsuit, they didn't look at specific areas or justifications. Of course they are waiting for the EIR which would answer their questions. We'll keep you all posted on progress.

[quote="Fishergal"]
PLEASE--let me know what I can do, who to write to or call to stop this insanity. I'm sure my fellow fishermen and women would like to help however they can![/quote]

Here is a link to PDF copy of Petition being circulated. http://www.kernvalley.com/news/pdf/kern ... tition.pdf

Thank you for your help.

[uedakj]

The link did not work.