Marine Corps Base plans to aquire JV

[USMC 0369]

Grumblings and mumblings around the base concerning the Marine Corps plan to annex the Johnson Valley OHV area, or large portions of it. Well, as linked below...this is the plan as it stands right now.

WHAT'S BEEN RECENTLY FOUND ONLINE (this is a PDF link)

I've just emailed Mr. Jim Omans to find out as much as I can. I cannot give out his gov't email address; I'm sorry. However, read more about what's going on at:
http://www.district37ama.org/forums/...ad.php?t=20012

According to that website, a plan for a town hall meeting to express our viewpoint(s), date is not yet known. However you can use the references to write to congressmen or the governator to express your views.

I do not have ties to anyone in power at Cal4Wheel, or United but, maybe they should get involved or do something?

There is a LOT of speculation on why this land is NEEDED for the Corps. I won't add to that speculation.

[Kodiak Spirit]

this has to be some kind of sick joke....

[RAT]

Nick,
Thanks for the info. It looks credible, but is it? The guys at VV club are gonna s__t!
Looks we have another fight on our hands.

[tool pimp]

this has to be some kind of sick joke....

No joke were going to loose it if we dont fight them. Everyone needs to contact there local state offical and express there concern!!! Dont be that person that lets others fight for you get off your @$$ and help all of us fight them on this, and no it dosnt matter if you live 10 or 10,000 miles away.
Thanks...........................................

[sarah]

I contacted the BLM about this and they should be sending me some info on public meetings, and what we can do to have our say. Will keep you posted.

[USMC 0369]

The 'version' of the plan as I've been told through unofficial channels is that the state will have to designate an equal sized parcel of BLM land to 'replace' the annex'd OHV area. Which is all well and good, but it's NOT going to be the same a JV. Those trails were carved with love, sweat and blood.

I am myself, against the annexation of the property; however I realize why it's necessary in this instance. It's difficult being on both sides.

My suggestion...and this is just me knowing how things usually run when this base wants something....I'd put effort into a multi-pronged approach:

Fight the fight - Get as many OHV groups, types, recreational hikers for craps-sake to voice objections. Then get the greenies on it too, there has to be an environmental impact study done before anything will be decided. As a last resort, get with the Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, may Johnson Valley (the town) too. Try to figure out the economic impact of losing JV. [I say last resort because if what's going on is what I think; they'll favor the base expansion]

Plan Ahead - Honestly, my focus of effort would be to figure out what tired & worn out piece of earth they are going to try to pass off as the 'replacement' land. Focus your efforts tooth and nail into getting some quality parcel that can be turned into a quality OHV area. I'm not saying "give up the Hammers"...I know it may sound like it...but there are some really BIG wheels turning here and you can either get around them or become part of the pavement IMO.

I'd stick to whatever Sarah gets from BLM and hopefully Mr. Omans will get back to me sometime. He is a GS15 (basically a Brig-Gen) and I'm a little fish in a big pond right now.

[NAILER341]

what a mess..
http://www.district37ama.org/forums/...5&d=1204511827

[USMC 0369]

what a mess..
http://www.district37ama.org/forums/...5&d=1204511827

I feel sick.

This is NOT an "I told ya so" moment.

[sarah]

Map 1

Map 2

[USMC 0369]

I'm not a member of Cal4Wheel but I am of United and will be asking some questions there. I wonder if Carla (the lawyer for United) can work some magic for a postponement or something. Why have we not heard anything about this on Tread Lightly?

IF this thing is to be fought, it's gonna require bigger guns.

note: I give my $$ to Great Lakes Four Wheel Drive Association, they have a bigger fight. I give my time and energy to MJR.

[USMC 0369]

Apparently Ive brought this to the fore-front of PAOs attention. They are working hard to ensure all the information is out there, trust me.

Something I wasn't aware of, the base General made this information public last August. I fear I've failed a little bit because of all the time lost from then to now.

I was assured that ALL options will be looked into before any land purchases will be made. One thing I will take caution on; is that I'm not the Marine Corps representative on this matter and I don't want to get into a position where I appear as such.

Having said that, if I get any more information, I will give it to you as authorized.

[Materdaddy]

I got a call this morning from the base G5 office and the public affairs office. Apparently Ive started a "shit-storm"...their words.

The Marine is going to call me back with some more up-to-date information. Something I wasn't aware of, the base General made this information public last August. I fear I've failed a little bit because of all the time lost from then to now.

I was assured that ALL options will be looked into before any land purchases will be made. One thing I will take caution on; is that I'm not the Marine Corps representative on this matter and I don't want to get into a position where I appear as such.

Having said that, if I get any more information, I will give it to you as authorized.

Thanks for the information!

[USMC 0369]

Okay boys & girls, men and women, dogs & cats...

if you wish to contact someone about the JV proposal and/or plans for USMC & JV... I'm told that your inquires need to be sent to the following email:

smbplmswebpao@usmc.mil

this is the LOCAL public affairs office here in 29 Palms. However, I will tell you that the local PAO office has not yet taken ownership of answering questions on this matter. All of your inquiries will be sent to Headquarters Marine Corps for answers and handled as best they can.

Now, here is what I've done, I've got a call into HQMC PAO to try to get some more informaton. I've called Congressman Lewis (JV is in his district) and this wasn't on his radar at all. I called Congressman Hunter (who was indicated to me might be holding the town hall meeting) and it wasn't on his radar either. However they are both now tracking the issue (according to assistants) and are going to try to find out some answers to my question(s). Which are:

Where can we get more up-to-date information?

How can we get our "carefully planned and formatted" opinions heard?

PLEASE: Take 5 minutes, and call:

Congressman Duncan Hunter
1870 Cordell Ct, Ste 206
El Cajon, CA 92020
PHONE: (619) 448-5201

or

CONGRESSMAN JERRY LEWIS
1150 Brookside Avenue
Suite J-5
Redlands, CA 92373
(909) 862-6030

Reinforce that they NEED to get up to speed on this and have a forum in the coming weeks to quell the speculation and give options.

[FishPOET]

Something I wasn't aware of, the base General made this information public last August.

I've called Congressman Lewis (JV is in his district) and this wasn't on his radar at all. I called Congressman Hunter (who was indicated to me might be holding the town hall meeting) and it wasn't on his radar either.

Exactly how did the base General make the information public?

I wonder if this is the same manner in which Ft Irwin expanded last year without the public knowing any details until after it was to late for input?

And thanks for all your efforts on starting the process Nick!

[Shadly1]

I wonder if this is the same manner in which Ft Irwin expanded last year without the public knowing any details until after it was to late for input?

I did not know this. Check out this article...
http://www.fortirwinlandexpansion.com/index.htm

That damn tortoise saved our trails in Calico from becoming a firing range in the '90s.

We should have some huge and highly publicised event for JV. It sounds like the less that's known to the public about the land purchase, the easier it is to make it happen.