For Immediate Release: September 15, 2008
Contacts: Stephen Razo (951) 697-5217; e-mail srazo@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-08-65
Public Meetings Planned for Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Withdrawal Application
The Bureau of Land Management and the Marine Corps will host public meetings on October 23 and 24 to present the proposal for possible expansion of the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base and to discuss the legislative withdrawal process of the public lands in San Bernardino County. The locations, times, and formats for the meetings will be announced in the near future.
A Federal Register notice published today segregates the public lands identified by the Marines for possible expansion for two years. Under the segregation, the lands are no longer available for settlement, sale, and location of claims under the mining laws. However, the lands remain open to public access and recreation use.
The notice, available online at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/fed_reg_archives.html also explains the withdrawal process, which requires full environmental and public review and congressional approval as required by the 1958 Engle Act. The publication of the Federal Register notice begins a 90-day comment period regarding the proposed withdrawal.
After the comment period, the Marine Corps will be preparing a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for further public review to identify a range of alternatives for meeting the Corps' training requirements and analyzing the environmental impacts.
“We realize members of the public have concerns and questions about the proposed withdrawal and what the segregation means,” said Roxie Trost, BLM’s Barstow Field Office manager. “These meetings will provide a first-hand opportunity to have the proposal and subsequent opportunities for full public involvement explained,” she said.
The Department of the Navy, in accordance with the Engle Act, filed an application requesting the Secretary of the Interior to process a proposed withdrawal of public lands for military training and exercises involving the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms. The proposal seeks to withdraw approximately 366,000 acres of federal public land and, if eventually acquired, approximately 72,000 acres of non-federally owned property within the proposed withdrawal area.
-BLM-
dirtbag3 wrote: This is a forgone issue....the marines WILL get this land. Letters will be of no help.
I'm not happy about it I'm just a realist, the best way around this is to be given equal land in another area, which is a BLM issue.
Contact the BLM and your local, state and fed reps.
I disagree.. if there are enough people banded together to fight this issue, then we can win. it certainly wouldnt look good on the part of the marines to have so many local citizens, off road groups and even just weekend play riders, upset over taking of "Public Lands" from people. The angle that best fits the fight is the taking away of public lands, not land for OHVers, but for ALL people. it is a fight that can be won, we just have to fight it together with a common approach.
Robin - wife to Richard (D37, Int V17) and mom to Tyler (D37 L53), Shawn and Samantha
2003 Chevy 2500HD Duramax, with 37's
2004 WW FS3000
2005 CRF450R - Hubby's
2002 KLX300 - Mine
2002 KX100 - Tyler's
2000 CR80 - Shawn's
2001 Pink XR50 - Samantha's
dirtbag3 wrote: This is a forgone issue....the marines WILL get this land. Letters will be of no help.
I'm not happy about it I'm just a realist, the best way around this is to be given equal land in another area, which is a BLM issue.
Contact the BLM and your local, state and fed reps.
I disagree.. if there are enough people banded together to fight this issue, then we can win. it certainly wouldn't look good on the part of the marines to have so many local citizens, off road groups and even just weekend play riders, upset over taking of "Public Lands" from people. The angle that best fits the fight is the taking away of public lands, not land for OHVers, but for ALL people. it is a fight that can be won, we just have to fight it together with a common approach.
Not sure I agree but the key to getting mitigation (replacement public land w/ legal access) is to be part of the process with an argument that has validity (a giant laundry list of issues and points) w/political clout as the EIS process goes forward. Normally our sports OHV/ATV/UTV/4WD/MC is not organized enough to exercise political clout on the outcome......
dirtbag3 wrote: This is a forgone issue....the marines WILL get this land. Letters will be of no help.
I'm not happy about it I'm just a realist, the best way around this is to be given equal land in another area, which is a BLM issue.
Contact the BLM and your local, state and fed reps.
I disagree.. if there are enough people banded together to fight this issue, then we can win. it certainly wouldn't look good on the part of the marines to have so many local citizens, off road groups and even just weekend play riders, upset over taking of "Public Lands" from people. The angle that best fits the fight is the taking away of public lands, not land for OHVers, but for ALL people. it is a fight that can be won, we just have to fight it together with a common approach.
Not sure I agree but the key to getting mitigation (replacement public land w/ legal access) is to be part of the process with an argument that has validity (a giant laundry list of issues and points) w/political clout as the EIS process goes forward. Normally our sports OHV/ATV/UTV/4WD/MC is not organized enough to exercise political clout on the outcome......
Map Guy
Good points, we MUST present a united front and fight to keep J.V. but also have a backup plan that is on the table during the process. It's my understanding that if we don't present the mitigation (or similar plan) during the process, and we loose, we're screwed.
While I agree with the "Plan B"/mitigation need, I dont think it is in the best interest of the fight to place that on the table so early in the process. it would serve the purpose better if we waited to put the mitigation on the table until the last minute in the process.. dont want to play our hand too early. but I do whole heartedly agree that a united front with ALL parties concerned is the way to keep JV OHV area open.
will you be out at HBMC this weekend? the husband and the boy cant wait for friday!
Public meetings to be held about possible marine expansion into Johnson Valley OHV area - October 23 & 24th
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) located in Twentynine Palms, CA recently submitted a withdrawal application to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to essentially put a hold on 422,000 acres while it studies those areas for possible acquisition into the base.
A large portion of the Johnson Valley OHV area is being is located in that study area. Besides taking public comment, the purpose of these meetings is to help people understand both the proposed action and the decision making process.
Johnson Valley OHV area is approximately 189,000 acres and is located in the high desert of California, just east of Los Angeles. The area is a Mecca for off-road recreation and is home to many events including off-road racing and competitive rock crawling.
The public meetings are scheduled for October 23, 2008 at Hay’s Gym, Twentynine Palms Junior High School, 5798 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and October 24 at Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Road, Victorville, CA from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
It is important that members of the OHV community attend these meetings and make it known how important this area is to the families that recreate there.
Please anyone interested in saving the largest off road area in So Cal, attend one of these meetings. It is VITAL to saving Johnson Valley OHV, that we let them know we wont allow our riding areas to be taken from us.
MrsCowboy wrote: Please anyone interested in saving the largest off road area in So Cal, attend one of these meetings. It is VITAL to saving Johnson Valley OHV, that we let them know we wont allow our riding areas to be taken from us.
Thank you, you are so right. If we form a united front we might have a chance. The latest thing to surface is that the CBD is against this as well, do we have an allie in a greenie group?
Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Road, Victorville, CA
2 meetings
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
If you'd like to keep Johnson Valley open to OHV, one of the largest riding areas we have left in this area - please attend these meetings and make it known how important this area is to you, your families, your friends
Remind them how many $'s you spend when you're in the area!
Military Wants to Force Off-Roaders Out of Riding Area
Proposal Threatens California's Johnson Valley Riding Area
In a move that would further restrict motorcycle riding in the Southern California desert, the U.S. Department of the Navy has initiated the formal process to take over some 365,906 acres of public land near San Bernardino, Calif., to use for live-fire training for the Marines.
The move threatens the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, a popular area that is across the San Bernardino Mountains from Los Angeles.
"The U.S. Marines, like all of America's military branches, should be the best trained in the world, but we don't believe that it is necessary to expand the facility into this particular area and would rather the military look to the east," said Nick Haris, AMA western states representative. "The AMA, and other concerned off-highway recreation groups, hope to work with the military and Congress to ensure the needs of both the Marines and off-highway riders are met."
The Navy filed an application with the U.S. Interior Department secretary seeking a temporary segregation of this area, which is currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The segregation will keep it from bjeing considered for other uses such as mining claims or solar projects until the expansion proposal can be fully considered.
The Navy also seeks to claim some 72,186 acres of non-federal land in case one day the federal government acquires it. The land, which equals about 658 square miles, borders the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, and includes a large portion of land in the 189,000-acre Johnson Valley area.
A public comment period on the segregation (also called a withdrawal) opened Sept. 15 and closes on Dec. 15. The public will have more opportunities to comment during the environmental impact statement process. Ultimately, Congress will decided whether the Navy should get control of the land.
Riders who would like to comment on how they enjoy riding at Johnson Valley and how the military couldj find training acreage to the east of Twentynine Palms should write to:
Roxie Trost, Field Manager
Bureau of Land Management
Barstow Field Office
2601 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311
T. 760-252-6000
(Courtesy of: Bill Kresnak American Motorcyclist Association)
We set up a facebook group to hekp educate the public as well, please join it.
Offline
Online
