Organized Event: Be a leader write a letter!

[Max7]

Hi folks this information is critical to saving Johnson Valley. If you have not made the time please read on and at least utilize Pirate4X4.com's letter generator, it is easy and only takes a few minutes to write and send your letter to the important folks that are making the decisions. Even if you can not attend the D37/BRP Fun Run to Save Johnson Valley
this weekend you can still show your leadership and do your part starting here. PLEASE take the time to write a letter. Here's a stolen list of talking points from Pirate4X4.com and a couple links. One of the links is a letter generator use it! At the bottom of this page is a copy of the letter I sent be inspired,run,fight, write!

I think there is some valid stuff here to chew on maybe help you with that letter to the BLM ,USMC, Congressman, ect. Use what you want and add your own personal case points, keep it civil so that we are taken seriously.

Public comments to the BLM are due by Dec. 15, 2008.

Public comments to the USMC due by Jan 31, 2009.

Talking Points to be commented on by Off-Road enthusiasts:

1. The land mass of Johnson Valley totals nearly 200,000 acres. It is the largest designated OHV area in the country. The impact of it’s closure would adversely impact the already limited resources available to off-road enthusiast in the region.
2. The closure would negatively impact remaining OHV areas both in regards to the environment as well as personal safety as a result of increased and heavily concentrated use. Injury and even death will likely increase from over population of other BLM and Forest Service managed lands in the future should the base extend into Johnson Valley.
3. Increased use of Federal, State, and Local public lands will put additional pressure on land managers resulting in greater restriction to motorized recreation. The result of concentrated use will create increased environmental concerns likely leading to further closures in the future, thus compounding the problem.
4. In the San Bernardino County portion of the Mojave desert the military currently utilizes areas of Federal land for China Lake Naval Weapons Center, Fort Irwin National Training Center, Twenty Nine Palms Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center, and a portion of Edwards Air Force Base. This in addition to countless Wilderness designated areas already severely restricts public motorized access on public lands. Other western States with similar topography should be studied.
5. The USMC should study cooperative use of existing military bases to accommodate their training goals. The USMC has indicated in the scoping meeting that training exercises would be held only once or twice each year. China Lake and Fort Irwin are directly adjacent to each other. It seems reasonable that cooperative use can be an option. After all mobilization is also a part of training.
6. Expansion to the east would only require de-designation of a small portion of the Sheephole Valley Wilderness. Although political leaders have shown resistance to the idea, military training is a benefit to the entire Nation and the responsibility should be shared equitably among all Americans, not just off-road enthusiast. The number of designated wilderness areas far outnumber designated OHV areas in the Mojave desert.
7. Once used for live military fire, Johnson Valley would become an area restricted and off-limits to future generations in perpetuity, regardless if the needs of the USMC change and diminish in the future.
8. The characteristics that define the Hammer trails in Johnson Valley exist nowhere else inside the state of California. For the countless off-road enthusiasts who have invested thousands into their vehicles for the specific purpose of traversing these trails there is no alternative available in other Federally managed lands within the Mojave desert. This represents a potential loss in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to families and individuals.
9. The film industry spends millions of dollars a year on locations within Johnson Valley to have 360 unobstructed views unlike any where in this country. In addition, the film industry supports the local economy and consistently creates temporary jobs.

Link to USMC comment form, print and send...http://pfjv.org/Mcom.pdf
Link to letter generator for the BLM...http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/

Here is a copy of the letter I have sent, take what you want from it but please personalize yours.

SUBJECT: THE JOHNSON VALLEY MARINE CORPS EXPANSION

Dear [Letter Recipient],

I am a member of MyJeepRocks.com and a local resident. I strongly support the military and think the USMC should have ample land for training purposes, however Johnson Valley is a very important area to the many organized recreational groups, especially the OHV community. The area in question contains the Hammers Trail System, which is considered an "oasis" for OHV enthusiasts. The characteristics that define the Hammer trails in Johnson Valley exist nowhere else in this Country. For over two decades, years of Volunteer effort has painstakingly been given to design the perfect off road trail system on our own public land. We have been perfect land stewards in that we plan and attend major "desert clean up" efforts multiple times a year, hundreds of off roaders, their families and advocates of off roading show their true virtue and dedication by simply picking up trash and keeping our lands clean. If the OHV community lost the Hammers trail system, it would be like "a ship without Marines... like a garment without buttons."— Admiral David G. Farragut, 1862.

Johnson Valley is also used by a huge variety of public recreationalists and film companies, other than the OHV public. An expansion of 29 Palms westward will effectively shut these people out of this area and would have a huge effect on the local economy. The film industry spends millions of dollars a year on locations and county permits within Johnson Valley to have 360 degree unobstructed views unlike any where in this country, In addition the film industry supports the local economy and consistently creates jobs by bringing it's entire crew and hiring locally. I know first hand because I work in the film industry. I have worked as a set dresser this year on "Valkyrie" starring Tom Cruise which was shot on location in Cougar Buttes. Earlier this year I worked on an "H2O" water commercial, also shot on location in Johnson Valley. That would be a substantial monetary loss for the local towns, county and state. There will be an inevitable loss of filming in our own Country due to the foreseeable lack of picturesque geography. The film commission stated that there are more film project days in one year than there are days in the year in Johnson Valley alone due to the popularity of the location and over lapping of projects.

My family has been attending Hammer trails events and other areas in Johnson Valley for years. We actually moved from Los Angeles 1 1/2 years ago to be closer to Johnson Valley. If we lost access we would be extremely heart broken to say the least. I want my one year old daughter to be able to experience the trails and out door life that is second to none in Johnson Valley.

While I completely support our mlitary and the USMC, please reconsider this land withdrawal and urge the Marine Corps to go east to a less vital area for their training.
Expansion to the east would only require de-designation of a small portion of the Sheephole Valley Wilderness. Although political leaders have shown resistance to the idea, military training is a benefit to the entire n ation and the responsibility should be shared equitably among all Americans, not just off-road enthusiast. The number of designated wilderness areas far out number designated OHV areas in the Mojave desert. Furthermore this project will conflict with, and will have adverse effect on, every concept of the recently adopted San Bernardino County General Plan, such as infrastructure, housing, conservation, open space, safety, land use, and economic concerns. Similar projects have historically caused an immediate and dramatic drop in local residents’ property values and local business revenues, due to 24 hr. Live Fire exercises, noise, ground shake, and reduction of the area’s overall appeal.

The closure would negatively impact remaining OHV areas both in regards to the environment as well as personal safety as a result of increased and heavily concentrated use. Injury and even death will likely increase from over population of other BLM and Forest Service managed lands in the future should the base extend into Johnson Valley.
Increased use of Federal, State, and Local public lands will put additional pressure on land managers resulting in greater restriction to motorized recreation. The result of concentrated use will create increased environmental concerns likely leading to further closures in the future, thus compounding the problem.

In order to see just how important this area is to this group, I ask you to read these testimonials which were posted during a four hour, virtual online rally: www.pirate4x4.com/jv

I ask you fine men and women to go east.

"Men are we, and must grieve when even the Shade
Of that which once was great, is passed away." - William Wordsworth

Sincerely,

Maxwell Britton,
Apple Valley, CA

Sarah as per our conversation please make this a sticky, Thanks-

[Ol Man]

Here is another template and items to pick and choose:

Send a letter to help Save Johnson Valley




The Marine Base at Twentynine Palms is considering expanding because they claim to need more room for training purposes. The proposed expansion could consume most if not all of the Johnson Valley OHV Area. In order for the Marines to expand the base they need to go through the NEPA process. It is very important that the OHV community submit letters during this process requesting the Department of the Navy analyze impacts they feel would be made by the proposed project and to offer alternatives. Now is the time when we can have an impact on the proposed project. The deadline for submitting these comments is January 31, 2008.

Below is a template letter for use by individuals. This letter includes a variety of scoping comments, shown in green, some of which you can incorporate into your letter. Choose the comments that relay the issues that are most important to you and your family.Include as many or as few as you feel necessary, and feel free to change the wording.

While form letters are helpful it is much more effective to send individual letters. Below in blue are sample opening and concluding paragraphs. Feel free to use the text given here or, even better, change the text to fit your family or personal circumstance. For example maybe you race in Johnson Valley or your living depends on the area staying open to public use.


DATE

Mr. Joseph Ross
MAGTFTC/MGAGCC
P.O. Box 788104, Bldg 1554 Rm 139
Twentynine Palms, CA 92278-8104

RE: Scoping comments for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to study alternatives for meeting the Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) sustained, combined arms, live-fire and maneuver training requirements.

Mr. Ross:

I am writing to you today because my family recreates in the Johnson Valley OHV Area. I am aware that the Marines are proposing to expand their Twentynine Palm base in order to fulfill their training requirements. The loss of this area would be devastating to my family and thousands of others like us that recreate with OHVs in this area.

Because this loss would have such a great impact on my family I would like to suggest that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) study the following items:



The DEIS must study the possibility of the Marines expanding to the east. This option impacts OHV recreationists to the least possible extent.
The DEIS must study the possibility that both the recreationists and the Marines could share the Johnson Valley OHV Area. A co-use alternative should be studied so that the area will not be completely removed from the public domain.
The DEIS must assess the cumulative impact of the loss of OHV area if the marines choose to expand into the Johnson Valley OHV Area. The U.S. Forest Service is implementing their Travel Management Rule and as a result the surrounding local forest areas that might otherwise absorb some of the former Johnson Valley recreation are also seeing large closures of available OHV routes.
The DEIS must assess the increased costs resulting from the loss of the Johnson Valley OHV Area with respect to properly signing limited use areas and implementing an education campaign about where the appropriate remaining riding areas are located. There are approximately 500,000 registered off-highway vehicles in Southern California. Many of these users will look for a new place to ride if Johnson Valley is not available. Many areas that are currently off limits to OHV travel are not properly signed as such. A large amount of money will be needed to purchase and install the proper signage.
The DEIS must assess the increased law enforcement costs to federal, state and local jurisdictions with respect to enforcing trespass on private property and other areas where OHV travel is not allowed. Many OHV recreationists that will be misplaced by the closure of Johnson Valley will look for other areas to recreate in. Until proper signage is in place in federal, state and local areas, law enforcement will need to be increased.
The DEIS must assess the economic impact the loss of the Johnson Valley OHV Area will have on the local community. While a large number of the people that recreate in Johnson Valley do not live there, they do stimulate the local economy with their purchases of gas, groceries, parts and miscellaneous camping supplies.
The DEIS must assess the economic impact the loss of the Johnson Valley OHV Area would have on the larger Southern California region. Many users of this area live in neighboring counties. When these users make large ticket purchases they usually do so in the area where they live. The closure of Johnson Valley would significantly reduce sales of such items as motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, dune buggies, rock crawlers, motorhomes, trailers and their associated tow vehicles. The businesses that service and modify these types of vehicles would also be negatively affected.
The DEIS must study where the current 800,000–1,000,000 annual visitors will recreate if Johnson Valley is taken. It has been estimated that Johnson Valley OHV Area hosts between 800,000 and 1,000,000 visitors each year. Where will these users go to recreate if that area is not available in the future?
The DEIS must study the possibility of opening up BLM land that is currently closed to OHV use. This study should look at land use amendments to allow for OHV recreation and competition to occur in areas that are currently off-limits to OHV use.
The DEIS must study the possibility of purchasing privately-owned property to compensate the OHV Community for lost opportunity in Johnson Valley. This study should look not only at areas in San Bernardino County, but the surrounding counties as well.
The DEIS must study the resulting resource damage if the military chooses not to replace the Johnson Valley OHV Area. If the military takes the Johnson Valley OHV Area from public use and chooses not give them a replacement area then some resource damage is likely to occur. Many areas that are not open to OHV use are not properly signed and we do not have proper enforcement in place, therefore when the general public unknowingly goes into those areas there will be resource damage.
The DEIS must incorporate a plan that returns the Johnson Valley OHV Area to public use once it has fulfilled its usefulness to the military. In all likelihood the military will not need to train in this manner indefinitely. When no longer needed by the military, the military should be required to clean up the area and return it to public use.
The DEIS must explain in detail the USMC’s purpose and need for the proposed expansion of the base. To date, the USMC has been exceedingly vague as to the need for the proposed project, stating only that “past experience” indicates three Marine Expeditionary Brigades (MEBs) must train simultaneously in order for the Marines to prepare properly for war. Given that the proposed withdrawal of public land is unprecedented in size and scope, and in terms of its impacts on the non-military public, the DEIS must provide much more information as to the purpose of the project and why it is essential to military readiness. For example, the DEIS should explain how the training contemplated in the proposed expansion area will assist the Marines in potential global “hot-spots” such as South Asia, the African Subcontinent, and South America, all of which have tropical climates and terrain that cannot be replicated in the California Desert. In other words, the USMC must demonstrate in the DEIS that the proposed project is intended to prepare the Marines for the next war, not the last one.
The DEIS must evaluate and disclose the cost of the proposed expansion, including the ongoing, perpetual costs of the contemplated training mission. The U.S. Government is operating at a dangerous deficit—one that will only grow in the next few years as the new economic stimulus packages are implemented. Defense spending, apart from being a disproportionately large part of the federal budget, is notoriously wasteful. The DEIS must demonstrate to an apprehensive public that the costs of the proposed project, including those relating to ongoing training, have been accurately predicted and can be covered with existing funds.
I would like to thank you for this opportunity to comment on the scope of the DEIS. I look forward to reviewing a draft DEIS that answers these and all other relevant questions concerning the project impacts on the human and natural environment.

Very truly yours,


Your name & Your address


This is the same letter that we will be using at this weekend's "Save Johnson Valley Fun Ride" I hope everyone can make it out there. If you have any questions about the letter feel free to give Jerry or I a call. my number is 951-415-1869.

At the event this weekend I will be working at the letter writing table. I have been to busy to make it to any District meetings and I miss seeing everyone. Please stop by and say HI!

Take care and Have a Good Holiday Everyone!!!
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