EarlKann
04-02-2008, 11:09 AM
The Riverside Press Enterprise had an article on JV in todays paper. They put out a supplement once a week called WOW, Wheels, Offroad, and Waves so it is geared toward motorized recreation. They didn't write the article themselves, they got it from http://www.orba.biz but at least it got published. I couldn't find it on the PE website so I copied from ORBA.
They mention the rally thread, so hopefully it will bring in more people.
BAKERSFIELD, CA (March 24, 2008) In recent months rumors have been rampant that the Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center (MCAGCC) located in Twentynine Palms, California is looking to expand into the Johnson Valley Off-
Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. Recently those rumors reached a fevered pitch when an unofficial copy of the Marines’
proposal was posted on the AMA District 37 website’s bulletin board.
As a result of that post, Pirate4x4, a popular four wheel drive enthusiast website, held a virtual rally on March 12, 2008 to
voice their concern over the possible loss of this popular area. Nearly 1500 people posted comments and pictures of their
experiences in Johnson Valley during the four-hour online rally. In the same time period, the website had 27,000 hits. It is
important to note that the majority of the postings expressed support and gratitude to the men and women who serve in
the armed forces. Most were hopeful that another solution, or compromise, could be made that fulfills the training needs of
the Marines while still allowing OHV recreation to continue in the area treasured by so many off-road enthusiasts.
Johnson Valley OHV Area is currently owned and operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Officials with the
BLM have not seen any formal plans for the expansion and did not initiate this action. ORBA has tried to contact Marine
officials about the proposed expansion but so far no one from the Marine Corps has responded to these inquiries. Fred
Wiley, Executive Director of ORBA, stated “It is our hope that the expansion of the Marine base will follow the NEPA
process and that no land change ownership before that process is complete. The Ft Irwin expansion followed the NEPA
process after the military had already acquired the land. The public felt like its input was not necessary since the military
had already acquired the property. The NEPA process was only followed to ensure the military could use the property as
they needed.”
They mention the rally thread, so hopefully it will bring in more people.
BAKERSFIELD, CA (March 24, 2008) In recent months rumors have been rampant that the Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center (MCAGCC) located in Twentynine Palms, California is looking to expand into the Johnson Valley Off-
Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. Recently those rumors reached a fevered pitch when an unofficial copy of the Marines’
proposal was posted on the AMA District 37 website’s bulletin board.
As a result of that post, Pirate4x4, a popular four wheel drive enthusiast website, held a virtual rally on March 12, 2008 to
voice their concern over the possible loss of this popular area. Nearly 1500 people posted comments and pictures of their
experiences in Johnson Valley during the four-hour online rally. In the same time period, the website had 27,000 hits. It is
important to note that the majority of the postings expressed support and gratitude to the men and women who serve in
the armed forces. Most were hopeful that another solution, or compromise, could be made that fulfills the training needs of
the Marines while still allowing OHV recreation to continue in the area treasured by so many off-road enthusiasts.
Johnson Valley OHV Area is currently owned and operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Officials with the
BLM have not seen any formal plans for the expansion and did not initiate this action. ORBA has tried to contact Marine
officials about the proposed expansion but so far no one from the Marine Corps has responded to these inquiries. Fred
Wiley, Executive Director of ORBA, stated “It is our hope that the expansion of the Marine base will follow the NEPA
process and that no land change ownership before that process is complete. The Ft Irwin expansion followed the NEPA
process after the military had already acquired the land. The public felt like its input was not necessary since the military
had already acquired the property. The NEPA process was only followed to ensure the military could use the property as
they needed.”