KERNVILLE, Calif. -- Sept. 26, 2009 was the first step in what the Forest Service hopes will provide solutions to the sanitation and resource damage problems existing along the Upper Kern River corridor, north of Kernville.

A group of 26 people consisting of Forest Service personnel and the private sector, met at the Kernville Ranger Station to address issues concerning the future of the Upper Kern River relating to resource damage and sanitation issues from the impacts of heavy use along the Kern River and Mountain Highway 99 corridor.

The field trip started at the Kernville Ranger Station, where concerned residents spent over an hour identifying the issues, prior to going out into the field and looking at the damaged sites. The crowd was unanimous over the fact that resource damage was occuring at alarming rates and something needed to be done to offset those impacts and assure the protection of the watershed. Issues identified are, but not limited to:

• Heavy resource damage to the riparian areas due to illegal cutting of trees and vegetation.
• Vegetation damage due to overnight camping and parking in random areas.
• Trash/littering issues along the entire Upper Kern River corridor.
• Poor sanitation practices by some are degrading water quality and the blight of strewn toilet paper is having a negative impact on the landscape.
• Increased vandalism from graffitti and paintball use.

The field trip ended in Kernville for a debriefing and dialogue for possible solutions and strategies to tackle these problems. The ideas and recommendations generated from the group of concerned citizens from the Kern Valley included:

• Restrict overnight camping to developed campgrounds and designated dispersed camping areas – eliminate random camping.
• Create well defined boundaries for camping and parking at designated dispersed areas.
• Install additional sanitation facilities within designated dispersed areas. Consider additional sources of raising revenue (in these areas) as a means to support operations and maintenance.
• Improve signing (both English and Spanish).
• Establish a weekend visitor information station.
• Consider expansion of existing developed campgrounds.
• Develop Public Service Announcements – pre-holiday.
• Consider bottle/glass restrictions.
• Develop “River Ethics” handout for Forest Service and merchant use.

The Upper Kern River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the country and carries with it a special designation of Wild & Scenic (W&S). Less than one-half of one percent of our rivers are protected through this designation. The National W&S River System’s intent is to preserve and protect these rivers and their immediate environments for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Tom Moore, Co-owner of Sierra South Paddle Sports in Kernville commented, “I’d like to thank the Forest Service for making this a priority.” Moore went on to say, “ The Upper Kern River, a designated Wild and Scenic corridor, was recently named by National Geographic, as one of the top 5, one-day river runs in North America. We need to address the unrestricted camping areas adjacent to the river – the desecration of the river corrider habitat has to stop – otherwise we are going to be looking at a lunar landscape. We are in danger of loving the area to death. The process of educating the users of the Upper Kern area is monumental and will take several years.”

Rick Larson, District Ranger, stated, “I am concerned about the escalating impacts along the Upper Kern River. We are commited to taking on these recommendations and protecting the river corridor from further damage. The participation in the meeting/field trip, from the private sector and business owners, was outstanding. The input we gathered Saturday, was extremely helpful, insightful and constructive. We are looking forward to utilizing some of the ideas the group gathered during the meeting.” Larson further stated, “Over the next few months we will strategize and develop an action and communication plan to chart the course for resolving the issues facing the river corridor.”

Information provided by the Us Forest Service