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Friends of Johnson Valley
5th Meeting. Monday, October 13, 2008
Location:
Sizzler Restaurant
1461 S. Rimpau Avenue
Corona, CA 92879
Meeting called to order, 7:00pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Jim Knox, Legal Status
Jim reported that Friends of Johnson Valley is officially incorporated and explained that FOJV will need to elect a Board of Directors at the next meeting.. An application for 503(c)3 non-profit status is being worked on. Once that is completed FOJV can begin fund raising. Jim stated that Rick Rethoret (who was not in attendance) will be working on opening a bank account for the new Corporation.
Dave Cole, Happenings since the last FOJV Meeting
First, Dave passed around a copy of a letter written by San Bernardino First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, addressed to James Peterson, Deputy State Director, in the office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. In the letter the Supervisor calls for a de-designation of less than wilderness quality areas in eastern San Bernardino County. This de-designation would, according to Mitzelfelt, "facilitate the expansion toward an area with little conflict with desert residents" and "save the BLM's largest public OHV area for continued use." The complete letter can be read online at http://www.pfjv.org/Metz.pdf
Dave explained that there have been several meetings of the OHV leadership groups since the last FOJV meeting. The first was an OHV leadership meeting held September 12, 2008 in Bakersfield. Attendants of that meeting included: AMA D36, AMA D37, ASA, BRC, CA4WDC, CORVA, FOJV and ORBA . Dave explained that the goal of this meeting was to create unity amongst the OHV groups. He reported that the meeting resulted in unity and common ground and the assurance that we're not going to go behind each others backs again. All agreed that they do not want to loose Johnson Valley and would work towards that goal even if they have differing views on mitigation and the push for eastward expansion as alternatives.
Another meeting was held October 13, just prior to the FOJV meeting. This meeting was attended by representatives of AMA, District 36 and District 37, AMA National, ASA, Cal 4 Wheel, CORVA, CTUC, FOGR, FOJV, High Desert Multiple Use Coalition (HDMUC), ORBA, PFJV, and San Diego Off Road Coalition (SDORC). Also in attendance were Daphne Greene* (Deputy Director of the OHMVR Division) and Gerry Hillier representing San Bernardino County. Dave reported that as a result of this meeting these many groups have changed from an OHV centric position to a Multiple Use position. The group completed and issued the following Strategy Statement. Dave added that the letter from this group does not preclude other groups or individuals from writing their own letters.
Regarding the possibility of mitigation; Dave explained that while it is not what we want to do, it is in our best interest to be fully prepared should the issue come up at a later date. This will include having complete research already done on potential other areas that may be considered for mitigation. With this in mind, Dave and Jerry Grabow from District 37 took a light airplane tour of both the Soda and Cady Mountains which are nearby to Johnson Valley. Dave reported that the Cady Mountains are extremely remote, with no access and terrain that is not compatible with current OHV uses common in Johnson Valley, but that the Soda Mountains offer better terrain with both desert and rocks and deserve further investigation. Also, both the Soda and Cady Mountains are listed as possible future Wilderness areas under the California Wilderness Coalition (CWC) Proposal currently being considered by Senator Feinstein.
Comment: We need to make known to Congress the difficulty of obtaining new areas for OHV use.
Dave: This is where the mitigation option can be used to help place a dollar value on the Johnson Valley area. For example, if the Marines take over Johnson Valley we ask that it is replaced with other land at a cost of $$$.
Question: Is there a plan to place a value on Johnson Valley?
Dave: People have already begun work on establishing an economic value for Johnson Valley. What we need to work on now is the personal value of Johnson Valley.
[side note: Kim Carpenter, a member of AMA/District 37 is compiling information from users of Johnson Valley and their economic impact in the area. Please see her post on Pirate 4x4.com at http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=707592 or email her at carpentersa5k@msn.com ]
5th Meeting. Monday, October 13, 2008
Location:
Sizzler Restaurant
1461 S. Rimpau Avenue
Corona, CA 92879
Meeting called to order, 7:00pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Jim Knox, Legal Status
Jim reported that Friends of Johnson Valley is officially incorporated and explained that FOJV will need to elect a Board of Directors at the next meeting.. An application for 503(c)3 non-profit status is being worked on. Once that is completed FOJV can begin fund raising. Jim stated that Rick Rethoret (who was not in attendance) will be working on opening a bank account for the new Corporation.
Dave Cole, Happenings since the last FOJV Meeting
First, Dave passed around a copy of a letter written by San Bernardino First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, addressed to James Peterson, Deputy State Director, in the office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. In the letter the Supervisor calls for a de-designation of less than wilderness quality areas in eastern San Bernardino County. This de-designation would, according to Mitzelfelt, "facilitate the expansion toward an area with little conflict with desert residents" and "save the BLM's largest public OHV area for continued use." The complete letter can be read online at http://www.pfjv.org/Metz.pdf
Dave explained that there have been several meetings of the OHV leadership groups since the last FOJV meeting. The first was an OHV leadership meeting held September 12, 2008 in Bakersfield. Attendants of that meeting included: AMA D36, AMA D37, ASA, BRC, CA4WDC, CORVA, FOJV and ORBA . Dave explained that the goal of this meeting was to create unity amongst the OHV groups. He reported that the meeting resulted in unity and common ground and the assurance that we're not going to go behind each others backs again. All agreed that they do not want to loose Johnson Valley and would work towards that goal even if they have differing views on mitigation and the push for eastward expansion as alternatives.
Another meeting was held October 13, just prior to the FOJV meeting. This meeting was attended by representatives of AMA, District 36 and District 37, AMA National, ASA, Cal 4 Wheel, CORVA, CTUC, FOGR, FOJV, High Desert Multiple Use Coalition (HDMUC), ORBA, PFJV, and San Diego Off Road Coalition (SDORC). Also in attendance were Daphne Greene* (Deputy Director of the OHMVR Division) and Gerry Hillier representing San Bernardino County. Dave reported that as a result of this meeting these many groups have changed from an OHV centric position to a Multiple Use position. The group completed and issued the following Strategy Statement. Dave added that the letter from this group does not preclude other groups or individuals from writing their own letters.
We the undersigned strongly oppose the withdrawal of the Bureau of Land Management, Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms.
While we respect the need to train our troops, we believe the Marine Corps must clearly demonstrate a need for the expansion of the base. If such expansion is warranted then we support, in general, expansion in an eastward direction from the base.
Eastward expansion presents the least conflict with multiple use of the public lands in the Johnson Valley area, and further, has the least impact on local communities and their residential and economic interests.
We will participate actively in the continuing development of alternatives for the proposed expansion as necessary.
American Motorcyclist Association, National
American Motorcyclist Association, District 36
American Motorcyclist Association, District 37 Competition
American Motorcyclist Association, District 37 Dual Sport
American Sand Association
Blue Ribbon Coalition
California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs
California Off Road Vehicle Association
California Trail Users Coalition
Friends of Giant Rock
Friends of Johnson Valley
High Desert Multiple Use Coalition
Off Road Business Association
Partnership For Johnson Valley
San Diego Off-Road Coalition
Harry Baker from Partnership for Johnson Valley gave the group a review of a meeting held with Congressman Jerry Lewis regarding the Marine Corps expansion. The meeting included residents and OHV enthusiasts. Several representatives from the OHV leadership group met with the Congressman regarding the Marine Corps expansion. Harry showed the power point presentation, during which the Congressman asked many questions and displayed a sincere interest. Congressman Lewis explained that he was in favor of the Marine expansion, but would be willing to support the east expansion option, and would listen to what his constituents want. He suggested that the groups attempt to work with the various Congressmen that are on the Congressional sub committees that will eventually review the Marine expansion and make recommendations to the full Congress prior to a vote. While we respect the need to train our troops, we believe the Marine Corps must clearly demonstrate a need for the expansion of the base. If such expansion is warranted then we support, in general, expansion in an eastward direction from the base.
Eastward expansion presents the least conflict with multiple use of the public lands in the Johnson Valley area, and further, has the least impact on local communities and their residential and economic interests.
We will participate actively in the continuing development of alternatives for the proposed expansion as necessary.
American Motorcyclist Association, National
American Motorcyclist Association, District 36
American Motorcyclist Association, District 37 Competition
American Motorcyclist Association, District 37 Dual Sport
American Sand Association
Blue Ribbon Coalition
California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs
California Off Road Vehicle Association
California Trail Users Coalition
Friends of Giant Rock
Friends of Johnson Valley
High Desert Multiple Use Coalition
Off Road Business Association
Partnership For Johnson Valley
San Diego Off-Road Coalition
Regarding the possibility of mitigation; Dave explained that while it is not what we want to do, it is in our best interest to be fully prepared should the issue come up at a later date. This will include having complete research already done on potential other areas that may be considered for mitigation. With this in mind, Dave and Jerry Grabow from District 37 took a light airplane tour of both the Soda and Cady Mountains which are nearby to Johnson Valley. Dave reported that the Cady Mountains are extremely remote, with no access and terrain that is not compatible with current OHV uses common in Johnson Valley, but that the Soda Mountains offer better terrain with both desert and rocks and deserve further investigation. Also, both the Soda and Cady Mountains are listed as possible future Wilderness areas under the California Wilderness Coalition (CWC) Proposal currently being considered by Senator Feinstein.
Comment: We need to make known to Congress the difficulty of obtaining new areas for OHV use.
Dave: This is where the mitigation option can be used to help place a dollar value on the Johnson Valley area. For example, if the Marines take over Johnson Valley we ask that it is replaced with other land at a cost of $$$.
Question: Is there a plan to place a value on Johnson Valley?
Dave: People have already begun work on establishing an economic value for Johnson Valley. What we need to work on now is the personal value of Johnson Valley.
[side note: Kim Carpenter, a member of AMA/District 37 is compiling information from users of Johnson Valley and their economic impact in the area. Please see her post on Pirate 4x4.com at http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=707592 or email her at carpentersa5k@msn.com ]
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