Marine Corps submits withdrawal application to Bureau of Land Management

[bakerhab2003]

From the Marine Corps Website. This has not been posted on the Federal Register yet, but the news is official. The Federal Register listing will include the specifics of the area withdrawn and a map will be available soon.

http://www.marines.mil/news/Pages/pressreleases.aspx

Harry Baker
Chairman
Partnership For Johnson Valley
bakerhab@aol.com
818-705-3930 - office
818-370-3582 - cell

Marine Corps submits withdrawal application to Bureau of Land Management

8/19/2008
Division of Public Affairs HQMC Media Branch


3000 Marine Corps Pentagon, RM 4B548
Washington, DC 20350-3000


703-614-4309
WASHINGTON The Marine Corps submitted a land withdrawal application to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for approximately 422,000 acres contiguous to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The application is part of an ongoing study by the Marine Corps for possible base expansion, along with the establishment of corresponding special-use airspace, necessary to train a Marine Expeditionary Brigade at the Combat Center.

The Marine Corps will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement that will analyze the reasonable alternatives for meeting the MEB-training requirement. The Department of the Navy intends to publish a Notice of Intent to undertake the EIS in early November and conduct public scoping meetings in early December.

During the EIS analysis period, the Marine Corps will continue to work with recreational and business stakeholders to include energy companies, the airline industry and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. The recreational use of this land remains the same as prior to the withdrawal application.

Together with the BLM and the Federal Aviation Administration, we will study the best path forward for the Marine Corps to meet its training requirements, while analyzing and weighing the impact of the various alternatives on natural and socio-economic resources.

[edglock21]

[shoyrtt]

Harry,

If my memeory is correct in the USMC study regarding the expansion there were 3 or 4 options given regarding the proposed expansion. Each of the options listed a given amount of acres sought, increasing progressively. Can you recap each option and how many acres are proposed for expansion? Is the 422,000 the maximum sought in the study?

Jim

[offroad_joe]

This sucks

[bakerhab2003]

Harry,

If my memeory is correct in the USMC study regarding the expansion there were 3 or 4 options given regarding the proposed expansion. Each of the options listed a given amount of acres sought, increasing progressively. Can you recap each option and how many acres are proposed for expansion? Is the 422,000 the maximum sought in the study?

Jim

Jim,

The maximum in the original 3 courses of action was 437,000. The study area requested is slightly less. Once the map is published we'll know exactly what has been deleted, or added. And, yes, 422,000 is the maximum that they plan to study.

Helen

[JeepRecoveryTeam]

Originally Posted by offroad_joe

This sucks

It acutally doesn't....

When all of this came out in the spring, the only area the USMC was interested in was 160,000+ acres of JVOHV. Nothing else was considered.

Through all the meetings and raising awareness, we at least have them 'considering' other options. That is the first step...acknowledging there is something else out there besides the land within JV.


It would have been catastrophic if the withdrawl only included JV, then the only way to save the area would be if the Marines couldn't get funding.

The fight is just beginning.

I'll post a map as soon as one is available.

Dave

[bakerhab2003]

According to a Marine Corps spokesperson, the study area includes lands to the east, south and west of the base. The area to the west of the base starts at the southwestern corner of the base and stairsteps to the west, across and south of the Johnson Valley Open Area, including some private lands outside of the Open Area.

The spokesperson stressed that this is only a study area, and that the final decision will likely encompass less area than is studied.


Helen
PFJV

[RedBullJeep]

My humble thanks go out to everyone that has played a role, big or small, in this issue. Working together we did make an impact. PFJV took the early lead on this and we need to be thankful someone was there because the timeline clearly shows that if somebody hadn't made a big move like that, it would have been too late. Dave, thanks for pulling the fire alarm when you did to get everyone up in arms. Kurt and crew, thanks for the rally thread. I know there are a number of reasons we've made progress in this and a number of people played integral roles...thanks to all of you.

Now, as Dave just said, the fight is just beginning. Keep the momentum going and we actually stand a chance of saving what's left of our amazing family recreation and sport. If we get complacent, it'll surely dissappear.

[Hammer Hog]

I just bumped this new info to Gary Daigneault (z107@cci-29palms.com) at our local radio station. Hopefully he starts to take this a bit more seriously. So far he still thinks we're way premature at making noise to the military.
Funny thing is, he knows how valuable our local OHV resource is. Whereas our local communities are constantly putting the kabash on local OHV activities, as they keep telling us to move it out to the local JV OHV area.
In fact the Town of Yucca Valley recently place a road sign at the base of Hwy 247 stating OHV Trail 20 Miles Ahead, referring to Boone Rd. @ mile marker 20.

I'd say the local communities also need to voice their concerns to the military...
I will also pass this latest info to a buddy of mine that sits on the local Town Counsel.

Edit: Info passed on to Town of Yucca Valley Town Council member Frank Luckino.

[Kim C]

When you submit your letter please include some information about yourself and your family. How often you visit JV, the type of off-roading you do in JV both for competition and recreation. How long you have been visiting JV etc. This letter was sritten for members of District 37 so please edit the letter to reflect your off-road organization.







Below you will find the template for a letter I think every off-roader should send to Congressman Jerry Lewis office, Johnson Valley is located in his district. After you send out this letter I would like to see every off-roader send it out to their own Congressman and both of the California Senators.


Below are the addresses for Boxer and Feinstein

Senator Dianne Feinstein
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Senator Barbara Boxer
312 N. Spring Street, Suite 1748
Los Angeles, CA 90012

If you do not know who your legislator is in the House of Representatives click on the following link to look it up. You will need to know your zip code plus your four digit zip code extension.

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml




Sample Letter

The Honorable Jerry Lewis

U.S. House of Representatives

1150 Brookside Ave. J-5

Redlands, CA 92313



Dear Congressman Lewis:



I am writing to you today because my family recreates in the Johnson Valley OHV Area, which is located in your district. I am aware that the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) at Twenty-Nine Palms, California, has recently submitted a withdrawal application to the BLM for a large portion of the Johnson Valley OHV Area. In a time of war, the need to properly train our soldiers should be our highest priority.



At the same time I think it is important to recognize the fact OHV recreation has become a very popular form of family recreation in Southern California. There are over one million registered off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in the state of California alone and that number does not include street legal 4-wheel drive vehicles. According to the California State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR), between 1980 and 2007 the amount of registered OHVs has increased 370%. During that same time the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) states, “Since 1980 the amount of land available to recreate on for green sticker vehicles (OHVs) has shrunk 48 percent in our deserts alone.”



Johnson Valley OHV Area is 189,000 acres and is a major destination recreation area for motorized use. It is also the largest open OHV area in the country. My family and I spend quality time together in this area. We ride together recreationally and some members of my family participate in the competition events put on by the American Motorcyclist Association, District 37 (AMA D37). Because of the area’s size and unique terrain, most of these events cannot be held anywhere else in the State. If this area were to be taken partially or in whole by the Marine Corps it would have a devastating effect on the Southern California OHV community.



My family and many like mine spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to participate in this form of recreation. Closing this area would negatively impact the economy of the Lucerne Valley and the surrounding counties. The majority of the users of this area do not live in Lucerne Valley, but in the neighboring regions. They purchase their off-road, camping, and associated equipment in the communities where they reside.



My family and the families we recreate with, request that you encourage the Marines to find a different area to fulfill their training needs. But, if the Marines find it absolutely necessary to take all, or even portion of Johnson Valley, we would like you to ask the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to demand acre for acre mitigation. This “no net loss” to public OHV recreation land will assure a proper balance on public lands. Through congressional designation you could reclassify land currently off limits to off-road enthusiasts. This “no net loss” policy will also ensure the future economic health of Lucerne Valley and the surrounding areas that depend on income from this type of recreation.





Sincerely,

[shoyrtt]

Lewis is well aware of the issue, but has a tough battle as a minority member in Congress.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the possible expansion of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center - Twentynine Palms into the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle recreation area. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, the Marine Corps is currently studying various land acquisition options, including a "No Action" option, that could meet their training requirements. Like you, I am very concerned about the future of the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle recreation area and have expressed these concerns to the Marine Corps. Although the Marine Corps is in the preliminary study phase of their expansion alternatives, they have assured me that they will take into consideration the views of the off-road community before moving forward with the Environmental Impact Report. Please be assured that my office will be in constant contact with the Twentynine Palms Marine Base to make sure that there is open and fair dialogue between the base and the off-road community.

Again, thank you for taking the time to express your views about this important issue and please be safe while enjoying the Off-Highway Vehicle recreation areas.


Sincerely,

Jerry Lewis
Member of Congress

[shoyrtt]

Originally Posted by bakerhab2003

Jim,

The maximum in the original 3 courses of action was 437,000. The study area requested is slightly less. Once the map is published we'll know exactly what has been deleted, or added. And, yes, 422,000 is the maximum that they plan to study.

Helen

Thanks Helen!

The reality is we knew this was coming. It wasn't a matter of "if" but "when" the Marines would submit the application (I figured it had to be before Bush left office). Now that the formal request has been made, I beleive there are other options available to oppose the land withdrawal. Time to get to work!

[Kurtuleas]

The Pirate4x4.com letter generator is ready and willing here folks.

Once the public comment period for the EIS hits, we will use it, but should we start a letter campaign now and flood people's e-mails?

I would need solid e-mail addresses of people who we would want to send letters to. I could send them to 100 different people if need be. (politicans, the marines, the BLM, county supervisors, mayors, bigfoot etc.)

If that seems like a good idea, I need help on writing out what the generator page should say and e-mails for it...

[Kurtuleas]

Posting this link for future reference.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.1.2.13.1.1.3

[Kurtuleas]

looks like we got a comment period before the EIS comment period:

(iv) Provide for a suitable period of at least 90 days after publication of the notice, for public comment on the requested action;



huh:

(vi) State, in the case of a national defense withdrawal which can only be made by an Act of Congress, that if the withdrawal is to be made, it will be made by an Act of Congress;



1) A report identifying the present users of the lands involved, explaining how the users will be affected by the proposed use and analyzing the manner in which existing and potential resource uses are incompatible with or conflict with the proposed use of the lands and resources that would be affected by the requested action. The report shall also specify the provisions that are to be made for, and an economic analysis of, the continuation, alteration or termination of existing uses. If the provisions of §2310.3–5 of this title are applicable to the proposed withdrawal, the applicant shall also furnish a certification that the requirements of that section shall be satisfied promptly if the withdrawal is allowed or authorized.

[Bebe]

This just came out from Cycle news....

Source link: http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=12824

OFF-ROAD - Marines Still Want OHV Land
press release
Large Riding Area Could Be Lost 8/20/2008

The following is a release from ORBA:

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) located in Twentynine Palms, CA has submitted a withdrawal application to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to essentially put a hold on 422,000 acres while it studies those areas for possible acquisition into the base.

A large portion of the Johnson Valley OHV area is being considered. Johnson Valley OHV area is approximately 189,000 acres and is located in the high desert of California, just east of Los Angeles. The area is a Mecca for off-road recreation and is home to many events including off-road racing and competitive rock crawling.

For the past six months the OHV community has been aware that the Marines are studying this area for possible expansion. As a result, a small working group of OHV leaders has been working with the Marines to help them understand just how important this area is to the Southern California OHV community. It is the largest open OHV area in the country, and home to a myriad of competition events such as motorcycle races, 2- and 4-wheel drive off-road races and extreme rock crawling events. Jerry Grabow, President of the American Motorcyclist Association District 37, Off-Road, stated "Over half of our race program occurs on land within the Johnson Valley OHV Area. We have been racing in this area for over 50 years; there is simply not another open area large enough to hold these types of races."

The withdrawal application the Marines submitted requires that the BLM prepare a "Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting." When this notice is published in the Federal Register it starts a 90-day public comment period and segregates the public land identified in the application for two years. Uses that are currently allowed in the area will continue, but no new uses or projects will be permitted. "We are hopeful that another solution or compromise can be found that fulfills the training needs of the Marines while still allowing OHV recreation to continue in this area treasured by so many off-road enthusiasts," stated Meg Grossglass, ORBA Land Use staff member.

I hope so too Meg.....

This sitch really tears me up. Our boys need proper training, and this OHV area is unique and heavily used by all forms of desert recreation.

What to do?

[bakerhab2003]

Regardless of the fact that the word 'withdrawal' was used in the Marines release, this is a 'segregation' of lands for study. Check out 2310.2. There will be a public meeting in advance of the scoping meeting. The purpose of the public meeting is to expalin what all of the terms etc., mean as well as explain the processes. That public meeting could take place in the October timeframe.

[zuk1988]

We need to keep what is ours

[EarlKann]

Looks like the text of the application is up on their website. There are legal descriptions, I don't see a map though.

Left side menu.

http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las/

[JENNVFMC]

If you need assistance on writing a letter, please contact me and I would be happy to assist. Please use the following email address to contact me

LilPinkyPoodle@gmail.com

RIGHT NOW IS THE TIME TO REACT! IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO WRITE A LETTER AND $0.42 TO MAIL IT OUT!

[bakerhab2003]

Originally Posted by EarlKann

Looks like the text of the application is up on their website. There are legal descriptions, I don't see a map though.

Left side menu.

http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las/

Don,

Look on pages 9-11 of the document and it lists the township, range and section number requested. You can plot the study area out on the following Desert Access Guides:

Big Bear Lake DAG # 14 (southern Johnson Valley), Newberry Springs DAG # 11 (northern Johnson Valley), Amboy DAG # 12 (northeastern expansion area) and Sheephole Mountain DAG # 15 (east, southeast and south expansion areas)

Helen
PFJV

[EarlKann]

Originally Posted by bakerhab2003

Don,

Look on pages 9-11 of the document and it lists the township, range and section number requested. You can plot the study area out on the following Desert Access Guides:

Big Bear Lake DAG # 14 (southern Johnson Valley), Newberry Springs DAG # 11 (northern Johnson Valley), Amboy DAG # 12 (northeastern expansion area) and Sheephole Mountain DAG # 15 (east, southeast and south expansion areas)

Helen
PFJV

Thanks Helen! Do those maps have the township and range on them?
The BLM California Desert District office is right around the corner from my work. They have the maps for $4ea. I'm gonna go there tomorrow and get some.

I wonder if they would have the map that the Marines submitted with the application?

[bakerhab2003]

Originally Posted by EarlKann

Thanks Helen! Do those maps have the township and range on them?
The BLM California Desert District office is right around the corner from my work. They have the maps for $4ea. I'm gonna go there tomorrow and get some.

I wonder if they would have the map that the Marines submitted with the application?

Don,

Thanks for posting up the Marine website so quickly. Once I started looking through all 40 pages, I was ableto pick out the land designation information.

Yes, the DAG's have township, range and section, so plotting on them is easy and clear.

If anyone can't get a hold of the DAG's, Rick Russell's Johnson Valley map could be used to plot that area, but Rick's maps only show township and range. The scale is pretty small. Still it would give one a pretty good idea of the study area in JV.

I know everyone would like to have a quick way to look at the area, but believe me, once you've gone to the effort of doing the plotting yourself, you'll have a much better understanding of the whole situation.

FYI: Harry used an Orange highlighter for a good contrast, plus it allows you to see through to the map information.

i.e 1 section = 640 acres = 1 square mile, study area = approx. 422,000 acres. You do the math.

I assume that you mean the Moreno Valley office? Probably not,as it is not the office of record.

Helen
PFJV

[EarlKann]

Originally Posted by bakerhab2003

Don,

Thanks for posting up the Marine website so quickly. Once I started looking through all 40 pages, I was ableto pick out the land designation information.

Yes, the DAG's have township, range and section, so plotting on them is easy and clear.

If anyone can't get a hold of the DAG's, Rick Russell's Johnson Valley map could be used to plot that area, but Rick's maps only show township and range. The scale is pretty small. Still it would give one a pretty good idea of the study area in JV.

I know everyone would like to have a quick way to look at the area, but believe me, once you've gone to the effort of doing the plotting yourself, you'll have a much better understanding of the whole situation.

FYI: Harry used an Orange highlighter for a good contrast, plus it allows you to see through to the map information.

i.e 1 section = 640 acres = 1 square mile, study area = approx. 422,000 acres. You do the math.

I assume that you mean the Moreno Valley office? Probably not,as it is not the office of record.

Helen
PFJV

Yeah, the Moreno Valley office. I guess 422,000 acres is why you need four maps to cover it all!

I'll stop and get the DAG maps tomorrow. We have a very large scanner at work, so once I go over the maps I'll see if I can get something scanned for everyone.

[EarlKann]

OK, I mapped out the boundary from the legal description on the BLM maps. I'll work on getting a hi-res scan at work next week. In the mean time I spread them out on my dining table and took some pictures.

West expansion includes almost all of the Johnson Valley OHV area, except the west end including Cougar Buttes.

Here's a link to the full res version. It won't fit on your screen but you can scroll around and read the labels

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...OJVMapWest.jpg




Here is the east and south areas. The east area seems to be pretty close to the same acreage as the west. The legal description does say that the existing wilderness areas are excluded (they are outlined in gray)

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...OVJMapEast.jpg