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Kernville residents urge pause of Riverside Park 'riprap' stabilization; county says work follows federal specs
Summary
Residents and local businesses urged the Kern County Board of Supervisors to pause a proposed riprap riverbank stabilization at Riverside Park, citing safety, access and tourism concerns; county leaders said work follows FEMA/engineering specifications and will return later for fuller review.
Kernville residents and business owners on July 14 pressed the Kern County Board of Supervisors to pause a planned riprap stabilization project at Riverside Park, arguing the stone armor would be dangerous, unattractive and harmful to visitor access.
"Riprap isn't the safe proven choice," said Roberta Piazza Gordon, owner of Piazza's Pine Cone Inn, urging the board to "pause this project and direct staff to work with the community to evaluate alternatives before any decisions are finalized." Several other Kernville residents and outfitters echoed that call, saying the park is both a community gathering place and an economic asset for local recreation businesses.
Keith Stevens, a Kernville resident and federally permitted rafting outfitter, told supervisors that Riverside Park is "the staging area for those who...travel long distances to enjoy fishing, rafting, kayaking," and said the proposed riprap would present a hazard to the many visitors who use shoreline access.
County leaders responded that the planned work is engineered to federal and county specifications and is intended to stabilize the bank after a large 2023 flood. "The analysis done by our general services, by the federal government, ... is all done to their engineering specifications for stabilizing and protecting the riverbank," the chair said, noting FEMA funds are available to pay for the stabilization.
The chair and staff said they welcome additional discussion with Kernville stakeholders and that the project will return to the board later this month for a more detailed presentation. County staff also encouraged residents to leave contact information so staff can meet and discuss alternatives and details.
What happens next: Supervisors said the board will hear a more robust staff presentation on the project later this month; several residents asked that the county consider less obtrusive bank-protection options that preserve public access and long-term park value.
