Last chance to save johnson valey

[mrchips]

Help save the Hammers! National Lobby Day March 14-15
Help save the Hammers!
Take Action!
US Marines propose base expansion into OHV area

On April 27, 2012 the US Marine Corps will submit their Final Environmental Impact Study and light the fuse that starts a chain of events to close 160,000 acres of the Johnson Valley OHV area.
National OHV Lobby Days March 14-15
The most powerful voice comes from you. Join our fellow OHV enthusiasts from across the country and call for a meeting with your local congressman to educate him or her on the 29 Palms Marine Base expansion and why we need to save this unique OHV area. Congress will decide the fate of the Hammers. Make sure your voice is heard and help stop the base expansion!

[vwtipeii]

I want to wheel, but if the Marines need land.... I support the Marines in every way I can.

I may not like it but Semper Fi.

Brett

[g-mantj]

I found this pretty cool video that looks like it was filmed at this years king of the hammers. Being someone who is trying to race it next year I'm doing everything I can to make sure our voices are heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=-t0fcwGgwpk

[sarah]

Thanks for the update! I can understand wanting to support the marines but we can't retreat on this one. They have other options, and we don't have many places left to wheel.

http://jerrylewis.house.gov/

[JeepGal]

Go to savejohnsonvalley.com and read the alternative. We arent asking them not to expand, were asking not to expand there.

And from what Ive heard, its now just an excersize in completing a mission. The Marines are cutting back as well, they cant afford to be expanding.

[Tumbleweed13]

When is the decision gonna be made, and where can I find the results?

[wrong92407]

Rep Jerry Lewis is very pro military, but he soon will be out of office, Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt is seeking his seat in congress, Johnson Valley is in Brads district and he has spoken out against the expansion. So when in comes up lets get someone in to help us. Below is the latest I have on whats going on in JV
Dave


CMRC - California Motorized Recreation Council
Membership - CA4WDC, AMA D-36, AMA D-37, California-Nevada Snowmobile Assoc, ORBA, American Sand Assoc, CORVA and San Diego Off Road Coalition

CA4WDC association with this group began about 8 years ago. About 3 years ago, CMRC incorporated as an official state registered corporation. At that time, California League of Off Road Voters (CLORV) was established as a committee under CMRC. CA4WDC association with CLORV goes back many years.

CMRC does not employ attorneys or lobbyists on a full time basis. The intent of CMRC is to bring the membership groups together to coordinate working on issues affecting motorized recreation in the state of California. Some members of CMRC retain a Sacramento-based lobbyist. Some members of CMRC partner with Blue Ribbon Coalition for legal services. Some members of CMRC retain Ecologic Partners for legal services. (CORVA is the only organization that does not retain a lobbying firm nor retain BRC or Ecologic Partners for legal services.) Two of the groups in California (AMA D-36 and D-37) retain a Washington DC based lobbyist through their affiliation with AMA National. With the impending release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Marine Corps expansion into the Johnson Valley OHV Area, recreation advocates are making plans to take the fight to save Johnson Valley to Congress. Representatives from the California Motorized Recreation Council traveled to Washington, DC in search of a lobbying firm to assist with legislative contacts.

A lobbying firm, The Livingstone Group, has been interviewed and they have submitted a proposal to represent CMRC before Congress on the JV expansion issue. That proposal is for a six month period. The start date is sometime between 1 Apr and 1 May. I do not know when the final proposal way accepted and signed by both parties.

As a partner in California Motorized Recreation Council, the Board of Directors of California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs has approved releasing $9,733.94 in legal funds held by the Association to help fund the Washington, DC lobbying efforts. These funds were collected through donations and fund raising activities specifically for Johnson Valley efforts.

The other groups have committed varying amounts. (Note, at this point, SDORC is opting out because of financial and organization issues.) In addition, Hammerking Productions, Partnership for Johnson Valley, and numerous vendors along with donations from around the world have committed substantial funds to the effort.

The initial lobbying effort is estimated to cost minimum of $12,500 per month ($75,000 for six months). The total amount (including pledges) received to date is is slightly over $82,000. I understand additional pledges/funds have been received during the Moab Easter Jeep Safari. As such, the total funds is higher than $82,000.

[bakerhab]

Just heard yesterday, the FEIS for Johnson Valley has been delayed and will not be out until next month. Date will be posted on the web site soon. Original date was April 27, 2012.

Don't read too much into this, as the Marines have never met a published date yet, and there were twenty-some thousand comments to wade through. On the other hand.......

[sarah]

I think that the Save JV org's need to have a candidate slate for this June. NOW is the time to get someone elected that will support us. Lobbying someone after the fact is counter-productive. I'd be willing to help.

[Roger]

Ther is a Meet the Candidates Forun tonight in Lucerne Valley. It is the three Candidates runnung for the District Supervisor.
I'm going to try to ask the question below:

Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Area
The 29 Palms Desert Warfare Training Center is located within the Third District. The Marine Corps is currently going through an EIR Study to expand the base. One area they are considering is the Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Area.

This area is visited by tens of thousands of people a year as it is one of the best off-roading areas in the country. The off road community made up of individuals as well as countless off road clubs. These people while by a large majority are very patriotic and support our troops.

There has been a major effort to encourage the Marines to expand the base to the east instead of taking over Johnson Valley. The off roaders contribute to the economies of Lucerne Valley and other local communities. If Johnson Valley closes it will bring a substantial hardship to the local area businesses as well as a loss of public land.

Will you stand with and support the effort to keep Johnson Valley open?

[JeepGal]

Ther is a Meet the Candidates Forun tonight in Lucerne Valley. It is the three Candidates runnung for the District Supervisor.
I'm going to try to ask the question below:

Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Area
The 29 Palms Desert Warfare Training Center is located within the Third District. The Marine Corps is currently going through an EIR Study to expand the base. One area they are considering is the Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Area.

This area is visited by tens of thousands of people a year as it is one of the best off-roading areas in the country. The off road community made up of individuals as well as countless off road clubs. These people while by a large majority are very patriotic and support our troops.

There has been a major effort to encourage the Marines to expand the base to the east instead of taking over Johnson Valley. The off roaders contribute to the economies of Lucerne Valley and other local communities. If Johnson Valley closes it will bring a substantial hardship to the local area businesses as well as a loss of public land.

Will you stand with and support the effort to keep Johnson Valley open?

Thank you Roger! I look forward to hearing how it went!

[Roger]

Jim Bagley and Neal Derry strongly support the effort to keep Johnson Valley open. Ramos was unclear. It sounded like he was for keeping it open, but in every answer he kept emphasizing "community". He actually reminded me of how socialist/progressives talk.

Jim Bagley was a district 37 rider and grew up and lives in 29 palms. He is against Diane Feinstein's Desert Bill
Neal Derry supports her Bill.

[RAT]

Jim Bagley and Neal Derry strongly support the effort to keep Johnson Valley open. Ramos was unclear. It sounded like he was for keeping it open, but in every answer he kept emphasizing "community". He actually reminded me of how socialist/progressives talk.

Jim Bagley was a district 37 rider and grew up and lives in 29 palms. He is against Diane Feinstein's Desert Bill
Neal Derry supports her Bill.

Sounds like Jim Bagley is your man!