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  • Latest on JV - good news

    Dec. 19, 2012
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Media contact: James Holter
    Phone: (614) 856-1900, ext. 1280
    E-mail: jholter@ama-cycle.org
    *California's popular Johnson Valley riding area may get reprieve from
    military base expansion
    *

    PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Riders who use the popular Johnson Valley Off-Highway
    Vehicle Riding Area in California may not lose most of the area to a Marine
    base expansion after all, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

    The military is barred from spending money on expanding the Twentynine
    Palms military base into Johnson Valley until it completes a report on how
    the expansion would affect off-highway riding, under a military spending
    authorization bill approved by U.S. House and Senate conferees on Dec. 18.

    "The report to Congress would cover the impact on off-highway vehicle
    recreation in the Johnson Valley region, along with alternatives for
    achieving the goals of the military and the OHV recreation communities,"
    said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. "This
    report would allow for more time to, hopefully, come to a solution that
    meets the training needs of the military while maintaining access for
    motorized recreation."

    The language, included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
    Year 2013 (H.R. 4310), was offered by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) with
    support from Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.).
    House and Senate negotiators worked out their differences over the bill in
    a conference committee and then sent it to their respective chambers for
    final approval. Once approved by both chambers, it goes to the president to
    be signed into law.

    "The AMA, in partnership with the California Motorized Recreation Council
    and The Livingston Group in Washington, D.C., that was hired by the CMRC to
    move the legislation, worked long and hard to get this important report
    required before the base expansion can proceed," Allard said.

    The California Motorized Recreation Council is a non-profit association
    comprised of the leadership of the largest off-highway vehicle recreation
    organizations in California. CMRC membership includes, the Off-Road
    Business Association, California Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs,
    California Off-Road Vehicle Association, AMA national, American Sand
    Association, California-Nevada Snowmobile Association, AMA District 36
    (Northern California, Northwestern Nevada) and AMA District 37 (Southern
    California) Off-Road.

    "I particularly want to thank Rep. Bartlett and Sens. Feinstein and Udall
    for their efforts," Allard said.

    "This was truly a team effort involving many southern California motorized
    groups and their elected representatives in Washington, D.C., as well as
    other representatives in Congress," Allard said.

    In July, the Department of the Navy released a final environmental impact
    statement for the expansion of the Marine base. The preferred alternative
    would allow public use of only 40,000 acres of the 190,000-acre Johnson
    Valley OHV area, and for only 10 months a year.

    It's all part of an effort by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at
    Twentynine Palms to expand its land holdings to allow for more live-fire
    training. The Marine Corps is part of the Navy.

    The proposed expansion needs congressional approval. The military had hoped
    to begin training on the land in 2014.

    Several years ago, the Navy began the formal process to take over some
    365,906 acres of public land near San Bernardino to use for live-fire
    training for the Marines.

    At that time, the Navy filed an application with the U.S. Interior
    Department seeking control of the public land, which is under the
    jurisdiction of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Navy also wants
    priority for some 72,186 acres of non-federal land in case the federal
    government acquires it.
    Rich

  • #2
    That is good news. Thanks for posting RW.

    Comment


    • #3
      It's good new alright, but I'd sure like to know what input Feinstein had. She's the one that has been pushing more land grabs than anyone in politics. This makes it sound like she is helping here. If she is, I'm shocked, but thankful.
      [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
      [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
      http://www.resistanceoffroad.us[/CENTER]

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by RAT View Post
        It's good new alright, but I'd sure like to know what input Feinstein had. She's the one that has been pushing more land grabs than anyone in politics. This makes it sound like she is helping here. If she is, I'm shocked, but thankful.
        [COLOR="#800000"]I believe her plan is: it will be easier to grab that land in the future from the off-road community than it would be from the Marines.[/COLOR]
        [COLOR="darkred"]"Death Smiles at Everyone... Marines Smile Back."
        Adopt-a-Trail Member.[/COLOR]

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by USMC 0369 View Post
          [COLOR="#800000"]I believe her plan is: it will be easier to grab that land in the future from the off-road community than it would be from the Marines.[/COLOR]
          See the latest addition to my signature...
          [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
          [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
          http://www.resistanceoffroad.us[/CENTER]

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by RAT View Post
            It's good new alright, but I'd sure like to know what input Feinstein had. She's the one that has been pushing more land grabs than anyone in politics. This makes it sound like she is helping here. If she is, I'm shocked, but thankful.
            She likes grabbing land and turning it into "wilderness", not military training grounds.

            Originally posted by USMC 0369 View Post
            [COLOR="#800000"]I believe her plan is: it will be easier to grab that land in the future from the off-road community than it would be from the Marines.[/COLOR]
            This is likely the true motivation based on my previous comment. I bet it will be much easier for her to snatch it from us in a few years than if the military gets it.
            If we aren't supposed to eat animals, then why are they made out of meat?

            http://jeep.matandtiff.com/

            Truth is treason in the empire of lies. -Ron Paul

            Comment


            • #7
              So here is a copy of the Bartlett amendment that was passed today:

              SEC. 2856. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS PEND
              ING REPORT REGARDING ACQUISITION OF
              LAND AND DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING
              RANGE FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE MARINE
              CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER
              TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA.

              (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings:

              (1) The Marine Corps has studied the feasibility of acquiring land and developing a training range facility to conduct Marine Expeditionary Brigade level live-fire training on or near the West Coast.

              (2) The Bureau of Land Management estimates on national economic impact show $261,500,000 in commerce at risk.

              (3) Economic impact on the local community is estimated to be $71,100,000.

              (b) LIMITATION OF FUNDS PENDING REPORT.—

              (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Navy may not obligate or expend funds for the transfer of land or development of a new training range on land adjacent to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, until the Secretary of the Navy has provided the congressional defense committees a report on the Marine Corps’ efforts with respect to the proposed training range.

              (2) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted not
              later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall include the following:

              (A) A description of the actual training requirements for the proposed range and where
              those training requirements are currently being met to support combat deployments.

              (B) Identification of the impact on off-road vehicle recreational users of the land, the eco
              nomic impact on the local economy, the recreation industry, and any other stakeholders.

              (C) Identification of any concerns discussed with the Bureau of Land Management regarding their assessments of the impact on other users.

              (D) Identification of the impact on the State of California’s 1980 Desert Conservation
              Plan regarding allocation of the Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas.

              (E) An evaluation of the potential to use the same land without transfer, but under specific permits for use provided by the Bureau of Land Management (as such permits are used at
              other locations from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management).

              (F) An evaluation of any potential impactson other Bureau of Land Management lands
              proximate to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms or other locations in
              the geographic region.

              (3) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WAIVER.—In the event of urgent national need, the Secretary of Defense may notify the congressional defense committees and waive the requirement for the report required under paragraph (1).

              And the amendment as passed in the Senate today:

              Question: On the Conference Report (Conference Report to Accompany H. R. 4310 )

              Vote Number: 229

              Vote Date: December 21, 2012, 02:06 PM

              Required For Majority: 1/2

              Vote Result: Conference Report Agreed to

              Measure Number: H.R. 4310 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 )

              Measure Title: To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
              Vote Counts: YEAs 81 NAYs 14 Not Voting 4
              Rich

              Comment


              • #8
                Its a good start. I hope this is a sign that the military has realized we aren't going away.
                [CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Resistance Off Road
                [/COLOR]Join the Resistance...
                http://www.resistanceoffroad.us[/CENTER]

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by RAT View Post
                  It's good new alright, but I'd sure like to know what input Feinstein had. She's the one that has been pushing more land grabs than anyone in politics. This makes it sound like she is helping here. If she is, I'm shocked, but thankful.

                  Not necessarily. I would be the first person to volunteer to help pack up her office during the eviction, but it would appear that she is not staunchly opposed to the revenues produced by the off road recreation industry. Her primary focus on land use is definitely PRO solar and wind, but many of the concessions for "cherry stems and corridors" have been pushed through the approval process by her staff, working in close collaboration with some the better informed pro-off road advocate groups, such as Friends of Jawbone, Friends of Death Valley, Friends of Mojave, Friends of Inyo's, etc....

                  So perhaps not pure evil, just... mostly evil :-)
                  Off road adventure photography:

                  TreadLightly Trainer
                  Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
                  HAM - KI6PFO

                  2005 Rubicon Unlimited + trailer

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Here's an update I saw posted on IE4W.



                    Congress Gives Johnson Valley Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area Users a Happy Holiday

                    Washington D.C. December 25th, 2012

                    The Mayan calendar did not disappoint Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) users, as it seemed to reset the battle for the largest OHV area in the country. Gaining overwhelming support in both the House and the Senate, HR 4310 passed Friday, giving the California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC) a much needed piece of legislation that keeps the United States Marine Corps from steamrolling into the Johnson Valley OHV area that was dedicated to public use as part of the 1980 Desert Conservation Plan.

                    Section 2856 of the bill requires the USMC to study the feasibility of the use of the OHV area under a permit, much like other users of the BLM managed area are required, rather than absorb the OHV into the Twenty-Nine Palms Marine base which is currently the size of the state of Rhode Island. If approved by Congress, the expansion would make it the largest military base in the world. The CMRC and its affiliate groups have worked hard to look for a solution that would accommodate the training needs of the Marines, while maintaining the opportunities the unique area offers recreational users. "There are few other areas open to backcountry travel that offers this type of experience," said Jeff Knoll, who is the chairman of the Save the Hammers CMRC sub-committee. "The most exciting thing that has come from this effort is the momentum we have gained working as one large group rather than a dozen individuals, but we have a long way to go before we can feel its been a success," Knoll went on to say.

                    The group, which has grown in size since its inception, now includes national representation beyond its original eight California based OHV advocacy groups. Perhaps more importantly, it has included a small vocal group called the "Partnership for Johnson Valley" which represents the interests of the local community. "Our goal from day one was to invite all interested parties to the table and build a collaborative effort that would help us seek out a solution. Harry Baker, representative for PFJV, has presented a balance we may not have always considered in the discussion," Knoll said.

                    The battle to save the Hammers will continue despite the latest good news from Congress. The group will be continuing its fundraising effort so it may continue its relationship with the Livingston Group, a Washington D.C. based lobbyist group that specializes in military issues. "We really need to reaffirm our position all the way to the end of the process. We have some great people volunteering, but we can always use fresh ideas, and additional help with this effort," said Knoll.

                    California Motorized Recreation Council includes:
                    Off Road Business Association (ORBA)
                    The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
                    California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC)
                    California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA)
                    AMA District 36
                    AMA District 37
                    California Nevada Snowmobile Association (CNSA)

                    Additional association participants in the Johnson Valley Subcommittee effort include:
                    Partnership for Johnson Valley
                    Friends of Johnson Valley
                    Hammerking Productions (KOH)
                    Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC)
                    Americans for Responsible Recreation Access (ARRA)
                    Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC)
                    Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)


                    Complete text of section 2856 of HR4310 below;
                    SEC. 2856. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS PEND-
                    ING REPORT REGARDING ACQUISITION OF
                    LAND AND DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING
                    RANGE FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE MARINE
                    CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER
                    TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA.

                    (a) FINDINGS.-Congress makes the following findings:
                    (1) The Marine Corps has studied the feasibility of acquiring land and developing a training range facility to conduct Marine Expeditionary Brigade level live-fire training on or near the West Coast.
                    (2) The Bureau of Land Management estimates on national economic impact show $261,500,000 in commerce at risk.
                    (3) Economic impact on the local community is estimated to be $71,100,000.
                    (b) LIMITATION OF FUNDS PENDING REPORT.-
                    (1) IN GENERAL.-The Secretary of the Navy may not obligate or expend funds for the transfer of land or development of a new training range on land adjacent to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, until the Secretary of the Navy has provided the congressional defense committees a report on the Marine Corps' efforts with respect to the proposed training range.
                    (2) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.-The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted notlater than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall include the following:
                    (A) A description of the actual training requirements for the proposed range and wherethose training requirements are currently being met to support combat deployments.
                    (B) Identification of the impact on off-road vehicle recreational users of the land, the economic impact on the local economy, the recreation industry, and any other stakeholders.
                    (C) Identification of any concerns discussed with the Bureau of Land Management regarding their assessments of the impact on other users.
                    (D) Identification of the impact on the State of California's 1980 Desert ConservationPlan regarding allocation of the Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas.
                    (E) An evaluation of the potential to use the same land without transfer, but under specific permits for use provided by the Bureau of Land Management (as such permits are used atother locations from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management).
                    (F) An evaluation of any potential impactson other Bureau of Land Management landsproximate to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms or other locations inthe geographic region.
                    (3) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WAIVER.-In the event of urgent national need, the Secretary of Defense may notify the congressional defense committees and waive the requirement for the report required under paragraph (1).

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by nwoods View Post
                      Not necessarily. I would be the first person to volunteer to help pack up her office during the eviction, but it would appear that she is not staunchly opposed to the revenues produced by the off road recreation industry. Her primary focus on land use is definitely PRO solar and wind, but many of the concessions for "cherry stems and corridors" have been pushed through the approval process by her staff, working in close collaboration with some the better informed pro-off road advocate groups, such as Friends of Jawbone, Friends of Death Valley, Friends of Mojave, Friends of Inyo's, etc....

                      So perhaps not pure evil, just... mostly evil :-)
                      I would like to revise my opinion, having recently read about the weapons ban written and sponsored by Feinstein. She's all evil.
                      Off road adventure photography:

                      TreadLightly Trainer
                      Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
                      HAM - KI6PFO

                      2005 Rubicon Unlimited + trailer

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Kim Carpenter copied this to the D37 site and thought all would enjoy the read:

                        Betty Munson heads up the Johnson Valley Improvement Association recently submitted this short piece in the Johnson Valley paper.

                        As I read it, it finally hit me, saving Johnson Valley is much more than preserving our most cherished riding spot, its life for the residents of Johnson Valley. Thank you Betty for bringing the issue full circle.

                        Together, let's save Johnson Valley, for now and forever.

                        "A little time has passed since Congressman Paul Cook toured the Johnson Valley Open Riding Area. As a resident of the community of Johnson Valley, I cannot ever finish thanking the people who participated, who showed him what Johnson Valley is really all about, and made it plain what losing public access would mean.

                        I was at the Community Center with our vice president Joanna Wright, as part of the group met there in the morning. Not everyone in this world is a map reader, but Harry Baker is the master at orienting you to the locations and the boundaries of the various Base expansion alternatives. Paul Cook asked plenty of questions, and the maps traveled on the day's tour with him.

                        As you know, no matter how much you look at a map, when you are actually on the ground you can be surprised that the territory is different from what you anticipated. And Johnson Valley is like that. It is so vast, the views are so sweeping, the unmapped trails go everywhere, the historic mine sites are never quite what you expected…and it can surprise a congressman and it can surprise Marines who have only looked at maps before.

                        And it has surprised them in the past to find there are people who actually live just across the highway. It's a tiny old homestead community for sure, but many of us came here first for the recreation, then were lucky enough to be able to stay.

                        Our unending gratitude goes to the organized OHV community. Without the hundreds and thousands of voices they raised, and the hours and hours of research, travel and meetings they went to, we would have been powerless against a Marine takeover of Johnson Valley. The noise and vibration the Base neighbors live with now, we feared was going to be our fate to live with, times ten. Our beloved desert front yard we were certain was going to be transformed into a war zone.

                        A day like the day Kim Carpenter and friends organized gives us hope it won't happen. The conversations I have had since, with people who were on the tour, who tell me the reactions of the Congressman, and some folks they encountered from the Marine Base, gives us hope.

                        The very fact that Paul Cook is on the House Armed Services Committee gives us hope. There is a voice on the committee from someone who had actually been here, done this. He's only one voice, but he now has seen the people and the problems personally. Judgement calls and committee reports will not have to be based only on the highly misleading and confusing declarations in the USMC Environmental Impact Statement. At least we hope.

                        Whatever the outcome of all this, the people in Johnson Valley will never forget your help."

                        Betty Munson,
                        President,
                        Johnson Valley Improvement Association
                        Rich

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Rich, I am thankful that you invited me to attend the meeting.
                          SBCO Fire Dept. CERT volunteer
                          MJR moderator
                          MJR Adopt-a-Trail Crew member
                          Jeep Patrol Leader
                          Reforestation Supervisor
                          Licensed Ham - n6ujm
                          Eagle Scout

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