RESOLUTION NO.____________
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO FILE A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
WITH COUNTY OF KERN AND THE STATE CLEARINGHOUSE
REGARDING SERP CONCURRENCE BY CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE REGARDING THE LOWER
KERN RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield (“City”) and the non-profit organization River Partners are collaborating to restore approximately 700 acres of Lower Kern River riparian and upland habitat within City limits; and
WHEREAS, this restoration effort is known as the Lower Kern River Restoration Project(“LKRRP” or “Project”); and
WHEREAS, this Project is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and
WHEREAS, City is the Project’s lead agency; and
WHEREAS, on November 05, 2025, City and River Partners Staff briefed the City Council regarding this Project; and
WHEREAS, this Project is eligible for exemption from CEQA via a statutory exemption known as the Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (“SERP”) (See Public Resources Code section 21080.56); and
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2026, City Staff submitted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (“CDFW’) a SERP Request Form (see Exhibit “A,” attached) requesting CDFW’s review and concurrence that the Project is exempt from CEQA under the SERP; and
WHEREAS, on February 06, 2026, CDFW transmitted to City Staff a letter memorializing CDFW’s concurrence with City that the Project is, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56, subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, exempt from CEQA (see Exhibit “B,” attached); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.56(g), and upon authorization by the City Council, City Staff shall, within forty-eight (48) hours, file a Notice of Exemption (“NOE”) with County of Kern and the State Clearinghouse; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
1. The above recitals, incorporated herein, are true and correct.
2. Pursuant to CEQA, and regarding the above-described Project, City Staff
shall submit to County of Kern and to the State Clearinghouse, a Notice of Exemption (NOE) notifying those bodies that the Project is exempt from CEQA via the SERP.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Councill of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on March 11, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER ARIAS, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, KOMAN, BASHIRTASH, KAUR NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER __________________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBER __________________________________________________________ ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER __________________________________________________________
___________________________________________
JULIE DRIMAKIS
CITY CLERK and Ex Offico Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED: ____________________
By: _____________________________
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By: _____________________________
MATTHEW S. COLLOM
Deputy City Attorney II
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A: CDFW SERP Request Form, dated Jan. 22, 2026
Exhibit B: CDFW SERP Concurrence Letter, dated Feb. 06, 2026