Kern River Valley Community Park and River Recreation Planning Project (SNC1942-RT)
Summary
SCH Number
2026060289
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Kern River Valley Community Park and River Recreation Planning Project (SNC1942-RT)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/8/2026
Document Description
Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) would provide funding to the Kernville Chamber of Commerce to conduct community engagement, design, and environmental studies for the Kern River Valley Community Park and River Recreation Planning Project. The project consists of (1) planning and design activities needed to bring upland features of the park to shovel-ready status for future implementation and (2) a site-specific feasibility study, early agency consultation, and draft aquatic permitting for riverside and in-stream recreation features. The planning effort would evaluate the potential retrofit and revitalization of the former Kernville Golf Course and adjacent lands, which are operated under a special-use permit through the Sequoia National Forest. The project would evaluate conceptual design elements for a future public park that may include disc golf, walking paths, hard-surface recreation courts, gathering areas, and in-stream modifications for river recreation. The studies would also evaluate opportunities for habitat restoration, streambank stabilization, floodplain conveyance, and fuel reduction. The project is intended to support recreation planning and economic development in the Kern River Valley, which would benefit nearby communities, including those identified as disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities. No construction or ground-disturbing activities would be authorized under this action.
Contact Information
Name
Andy Fristensky
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
Field Operations & Grants Division Chief
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Gary Ananian
Agency Name
Kernville Chamber of Commerce
Job Title
President
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
1 mile south of the community of Kernville
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The project is located at the former Kernville Golf Course at 9472 Burlando Road and adjacent lands in Kernville, CA. Coordinates: 35°44'20.18"N, 118°25'30.16"W
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 (California Code of Regulations, Title 14) and Pub. Resources Code, Section 21102
Reasons for Exemption
The project is statutorily exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262, which applies to feasibility and planning studies for possible future actions. The project would grant funding for the community engagement, design, and environmental studies for the Kern River Valley Community Park and River Recreation Planning Project. These planning activities would not approve, fund, or commit SNC or any other agency to implementation of any physical improvements. Any future actions that may result in physical environmental effects, including construction or implementation of park features, would be subject to separate environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act and/or CEQA prior to approval. The SNC reviewed the project and concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to resources.
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.