Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund Grant

The Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund Grant, established by Southern California Edison, aims to improve the Kern River rainbow trout population and restore habitats in the Upper Kern Basin. With nearly $3.5 million in total funding, this grant supports projects aligned with the Fishery Management Plan, ensuring the sustainability of native fish species and water quality standards. Eligible projects must contribute to the restoration and enhancement of fisheries resources in the region.

Fund Origins
The UKF Enhancement Fund was established as part of an agreement for fisheries mitigation during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) re-licensing of the Kern River Number 3 Hydroelectric Plant (KR3), which is located on the Upper Kern River near Kernville. It was established with an initial contribution of $2.5 million by Southern California Edison (SCE), and has grown to nearly $3.5 million while distributing close to $1.7 million in grants benefiting the Upper Kern River Basin.
MOU
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SCE and the State and Federal Resource Agencies that have an interest in the Upper Kern Basin: namely, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (previously the California Department of Fish and Game), the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These four signatories to the MOU constitute the Voting Members of the Upper Kern Fisheries Enhancement Fund Committee.
As outlined in the MOU, the specific purpose of the Fund is to grant dollars to projects that support three priorities:
Implementation of the Upper Kern Basin Fishery Management Plan;Restoration of the native Kern River rainbow trout;Other enhancements of fisheries resources in the Upper Kern Basin upstream from Isabella Lake in Kern and Tulare Counties

Eligibility

Projects that meet the following criteria will be eligible to apply for funding:Improve the status of the Kern River rainbow trout to avoid any need to list it as a sensitive, endangered, or threatened species at either the State or federal level; Contribute to meeting one or more of the objectives of the “Upper Kern Basin Fishery Management Plan.” The priority for accomplishing the objectives will be determined by the voting members of the Committee. These objectives include, but are not limited to:Hatchery development, maintenance, operations, and staffing specifically for the production of Kern River rainbow trout; Kern River rainbow trout genetic stock determinations and development; Stocking associated with the Kern River rainbow trout; Monitoring of Kern River rainbow trout and other native fish species populations; and, Monitoring of fish ladder closure impacts on pikeminnow and trout populations;Contribute to restoration or improvement of trout habitat in the Upper Kern Basin; Contribute to the improvement of the quality of the Upper Kern Basin water including the attainment and maintenance of water quality regulatory standards such as fecal coliform levels; and Other activities mutually approved by the Committee voting members.