December 11, 1996
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Re: Restoring the North Fork Kern River

Dear Senator Boxer:

The Kernville Chamber of Commerce, Kern Valley Community Consensus Council, Kern
River Outfitters, Friends of the River and the American Whitewater Affiliation
are working in a unique collaborative effort to restore the North Fork Kern
River, a National Wild & Scenic River and a fantastic recreational resource.

A dam on this river, owned by Southern California Edison, has for years diverted
up to 90% of the rivers flow to produce hydroelectric power. This 16 mile
section of dewatered river has caused significant ecological, recreation, and
local economic damage. Now Edison is seeking to relicense this dam for another
30 to 50 years.

Right now, the future of this river is in the hands of the U.S. Forest Service,
which establishes the operating conditions for the project located on National
Forest Land. Unfortunately, the Forest Service is not listening to the requests
of this alliance of business, conservation and recreation interests.

We have proposed to the Forest Service a six month negotiation process to
develop mutually acceptable operating conditions for the Kern. If the agency
refuses to enter into negotiations, we will have no further resource except
through the courts.

Senator Boxer, we ask you to encourage the Forest Service to negotiate with this
alliance.

River users and local businesses should not need to take legal action to have
the Forest Service protect rivers on National Forest Land. Your assistance will
avert this step, and help improve natural flow, habitat, recreation and scenic
values. This will restore the natural beauty of the Kern and increase
recreation based economics by an estimated $8 million annually.

If you have questions, or would like more information, please call at (301)
589-9453.

Sincerely,



Richard J. Bowers
Conservation Director