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-
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-
Comment