Phone campaign to save Johnson Valley

[Irongrave]

keep it up.

[MT4Runner]

Mr. Morris isn't in right now. Just call and leave a message RIGHT NOW if you're afraid to talk, but can spare 5 seconds!!

[Jeff Knoll]

Keep up the good work folks.

[bushauler]

done again

[Stonebone]

done

[broncdawg]

Done daily and cross posted to other 4x4 sites.

[bushauler]

done

[zuk1988]

Heading down there in November love the place! Just made the call to Jarry Lewis's office and told him to keep JV open to OHV.

[MT4Runner]

Just spoke to Madison in Rep. Lewis' office.
Updating my PBB signature daily with the phone # of the day.

[Valley Auto]

Spoke with Justin in Lewis's office. Surprisingly really knew the facts. Listened to my concerns about the impact losing jv will have now and in the future. Also told him how is hate to see it end up like fort ord in my town. Vacant and unusable because of unexploded ordinance.... He was more optimistic than I would believe. But they are definitely becoming aware! Keep calling. !

[Stonebone]

Done...

[66cummins]

tripped on this article....

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/...-be-off-limits

[Stonebone]

done

[LYIN' KING]

Johnson Valley needs your help!!

Contact your elected officials today!

While the deadline for commenting on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is fast approaching, the effort to save OHV recreation in Johnson Valley is also occurring on the congressional level. An amendment offered by U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) requiring a report on the proposal is an attempt to facilitate a more equitable solution between the U.S. Marine Corps and the OHV community. The amendment, which was incorporated into H.R. 4310, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, is pending in the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The amendment states that the Secretary of the Navy may not use funds for the training range facility until the Secretary of the Navy has provided the congressional defense committees with a report identifying the impact on OHV use, as well as the potential to use the same land without closure, but under a permit system administered by the BLM.

Riders are encouraged to contact the following offices and request support for the Bartlett amendment.

Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) or District Director Tevor Daley
Los Angeles office: 310-914-7300 fax 310-914-7318

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 22) or District Director Vince Fong
Bakersfield office: 661-327-3611 fax 661-637-0867

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA 25) or Deputy Chief of Staff Bob Haueter
Santa Clarita office 661-254-2111 fax 661-254-2380

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA 41) or District Director Rachel Khalili
Redlands office 909-862-6030 fax 909-335-9155

Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA 45) or District Director Marc Troast
Palm Desert office 760-320-1076 fax 760-320-0596

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA 44) or District Director Jolyn Murphy
Corona office 951-784-4300 fax 951-784-5255

Rep. David Drier (R-CA 26) or District Director Mark Harmsen
San Dimas office 909-575-6226 fax 909-575-6266



Along with personal stories about your experiences, additional talking points to consider include:

• The Johnson Valley OHV recreation area is 189,700 acres, has thousands of visitors that accounts for at least 300,000 annual use days and is world renowned as an OHV recreation area.

• Economic impact: BLM estimates $71.5 million is contributed annually to the local economy and $191.2 million into the national economy because of OHV activity in Johnson Valley.

• The U.S. Marine Corps intends to acquire 160,000 acres of Johnson Valley from BLM and conduct live-fire on all but 40,000 acres - permanently closing access to 120,000 acres.

• Many local and state authorities along with thousands of citizens are opposed to the transfer of this land.



Options other than those in the FEIS also need to be considered, including:

1. Permitted use of land from BLM (like at other BLM sites used for training)

2. Other BLM land in the region (not necessarily adjacent)

3. More time is needed for comprehensive deliberation and seeking options on both sides and with the state.

4. Despite claims to the contrary, this is not an urgent matter. The Marines have been deploying to combat for 10 years without this extra training land. There should be more time to seek a broader solution.

5. Once live-fire training starts the land is permanently lost. We need to find accommodation for OHV needs, and that will require consultation with BLM and state officials.

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed an Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act that requires, prior to transfer, the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report on the new Marine requirement for this land and on the economic impact and on other potential solutions to the elimination of recreational land. In spite of this congressional interest, the Secretary of the Navy just entered the Final Environmental Impact Statement into the Federal Register and can now -- within a short time -- announce his "Record of Decision" to acquire this land.

• The intent of the House of Representatives was to slow this down to better examine it. The Navy has run roughshod over the House and ignored our elected lawmakers' intent. The House should not allow their rightful review to be bypassed. .

• Please call the Secretary of the Navy and tell him to stop this process until all the stakeholders -- including federal legislators -- have had their voices heard. Surely the Marines can wait a few more months until all interests can be accommodated.

The American Motorcyclist Association urges you to contact your representatives today!


Source: http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/al...ertid=61649476