This weeks Save the Hammers effort

[Jeff Knoll]

Please share and activate.





Jeff Knoll shared a link via Save The Hammers.

Save The Hammers “Operation Pyramid” Four Simple Steps.
This week and next we have another task for our dedicated protectors of the Johnson Valley OHV area. We need to convince Senator Dianne Feinstein to introduce the Bartlett Amendment t
o the Senate. In addition we are happy to announce a program put in place by the Off Road Expo. Your task this week is simple, and designed to build a pyramid of support for Johnson valley. This only works if we use a positive message so please remember we are asking Senator Feinstein to work for us. Please read the details for all the information.

Step 1:
Tuesday August 21st, 2012. Call Senator Dianne Feinstein’s LA office.
11111 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 914-7300
Sources tell us she is in this office this week working on issues inside Southern California. We have provided the ORBA Economic Impact Report to a staffer that will present the report directly to the Senator this week. We want to back up this information with your calls. Give the receptionist a break they are often interns.

Your Message: Please help introduce the Bartlett Amendment in the Senate. Johnson Valley OHV area is an Economic benefit to California and the communities of the High Desert. I spend $XXXXXX annually because of the opportunities provided by this area. I will not spend this money in California if this area is closed to the public.
If you are an Off Road Business, share how much commerce will be lost if this area closes. You must be positive in your message!

Step 2:
Weds August 22nd, 2012
Copy, paste, message or call at least 3 of your friends and personally ask them to do the same, and start the next layer of the pyramid. Remember to ask them to stay positive.

Step 3:
Thursday August 23rd, 2012
Call or message your favorite related business and ask them to spread this message to its customers, and make a call to the Senators office explaining the lost commerce they will face if the largest OHV area in the United States is closed to public access.

Step 4:
Friday August 24th, 2012
If you plan on attending the Off Road Expo in October visit: http://www.offroadexpo.com/page/tickets
Purchase your tickets at a discount and participate in the ORBA fundraiser to “Save the Hammers”.

[LYIN' KING]

For those who may not be familiar with the "Bartlett Amendment" but want to help . . .

Source: http://ultra4racing.com/the-inside-l...e-the-hammers/

California Motorized Recreation Council Generates Big Congressional Impact in Attempt to Save 160,000 acre Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area

The California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC), an umbrella group of the eight largest Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) associations in California, has organized a national effort to help save the world-renowned Johnson Valley OHV area in California. Mobilizing enthusiasts from across the country, and utilizing its relationship with the Livingston Group of Washington DC, CMRC has succeeded in its efforts to educate Congress about the unbelievable loss of public lands it has experienced since 1978 in the California Desert. The latest loss of opportunity stems from the 29 Palms Marine base expansion into the 160,000 acre Johnson Valley OHV area, which was created as part of the 1980 California Desert Protection Act.

Congressman Bartlett (R-Maryland), with the support of his Californian counterparts, requested additional information of the United States Marine Corps before the expansion could be approved, including a study of the CMRC proposal to allow the area be used by a permit for the 12 days a year the Marines plan to train. “We believe a better use of the area would be under a permit rather than closing the entire area. Securing the perimeter will be a colossal undertaking and the additional cost of acquisition can be reduced by simply using the area during training rather than closing it to the public,” stated Jeff Knoll, CMRC JV sub-committee chairman.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been delayed a number of times from its expected release last February, and is expected this week. Congressman Bartlett’s Amendment 243 to HR 4310 delays the expansion until the Marines can produce a report that explores the potential to utilize the area by permit. In addition, it requires the Marine Corps to produce this required information in the next 90 days. The complete body can be viewed below.

Congressional Record

112th Congress: House of Representatives – May 17, 2012: Page H3093

Re: NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013



AMENDMENT NO. 53 OFFERED BY MR. BARTLETT

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 53 printed in House Report 112 485.

Mr. BARTLETT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.

The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end of subtitle F of title XXVIII, add the following new section:

SEC. 28__. LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS PENDING REPORT REGARDING ACQUISITION OF LAND AND DEVELOPMENT OF A TRAINING RANGE FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE MARINE CORPS GROUND AIR COMBAT CENTER TWENTY NINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA.

(a) Findings.–Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The Marine Corps has studied the feasibility of acquiring land and developing a training range facility to conduct Marine Expeditionary Brigade level live-fire training on or near the West Coast.

(2) The Bureau of Land management estimates on national economic impact show $261.5 million in commerce at risk.

(3) Economic impact on the local community is estimated to be $71.1 Million.

(b) Limitation of Funds Pending Report.–

(1) IN GENERAL.–The Secretary of the Navy may not obligate or expend funds for the transfer of land or development of a new

gate or expend funds for the transfer of land or development of a new training range on land adjacent to the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center Twenty Nine Palms, California until the Secretary of the Navy has provided the Congressional defense committees a report on the Marine Corps’ efforts with respect to the proposed training range.

(2) ELEMENTS OF REPORT.–The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and shall include the following:

(A) A description of the actual training requirements for the proposed range and where those training requirements are currently being met to support combat deployments.

(B) Identify the impact on off-road vehicle recreational users of the land, the economic impact on the local economy, the recreation industry, and any other stakeholders.

(C) Identify any concerns discussed with the Bureau of Land Management regarding their assessments of the impact on other users.

(D) Identify the impact on the State of California’s 1980 Desert Conservation plan regarding allocation of the Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas.

(E) The potential to use the same land without transfer, but under specific permits for use provided by the (such as agreements at other locations under permit from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management).

(F) Any potential on other Bureau of Land Management lands proximate to the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center Twenty Nine Palms or other locations in the geographic region.

(3) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WAIVER.–In the event of urgent national need, the Secretary of Defense may notify the Congressional Committees and waive the requirement for this report.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 661, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. BARTLETT. "Currently, 189,000 acres of land under control of the Bureau of Land Management adjacent to the Marine Corps Ground Air Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, is designated by the 1980 California Desert Conservation Plan as an off-highway vehicle recreation area.

The Marine Corps wants to acquire most of this land, 160,000 acres to 189,000, including the Johnson Valley area, most heavily used for recreation.

Currently, only 2 percent of the California desert is open for motorized off-highway vehicle recreation use with half of this 2 percent being in the Johnson Valley area. The recreational community use of Johnson Valley brings in over $70 million per year to the local economy. The recreational community includes rock hounds, off-highway vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, campers, hikers, birdwatchers, turtle watchers, model-airplane groups, and the commercial movie industry.

The Marine Corps has been working very closely with the recreational community in the Bureau of Land Management to find a compromise that’s acceptable to all parties. My amendment simply codifies an ongoing process, recognizing the intent of the Marine Corps to submit a report to the Congress recommending the accommodation of the interest of the stakeholders.

I do not believe there’s any opposition to this amendment. Indeed, the Marine Corps helped to write these talking points. The Congresspersons who do have districts close enough to be materially affected by this are not opposed to this amendment.

If there’s no overt opposition to the amendment, I am prepared to yield back the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time."

The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett).

The amendment was agreed to.



The California Motorized Recreation Council is composed of the eight largest OHV associations in the State. American Sand Association (ASA) California Association of four wheel drive clubs (Cal4wheel), California Nevada Snow Mobile Association (CNSA), California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), American Motorcyclists Association (AMA), AMA District 36, AMA District 37, and the Off Road Business Association (ORBA).

[LYIN' KING]

Ttt

[Valley Rock]

I have donated and made phone calls . Not sure what else I can do, Legally ........ We need a shiny new government . A smaller one .

[MT4Runner]

Land Acquisition study url has changed:
Land Acquisition Study

No updates from the Marines since September.
http://www.29palms.marines.mil/Porta...se%20Final.pdf

[TrailGuru]

Jeff,

Just a cautionary note about tying ORBA's name too closely with the Outdoor Industry Association economic study of outdoor recreation. OIA is NOT a friend of OHV recreation, their leadership is dominated by hard core anti-OHV folks. As an example, you probably got this e-mail from Stuart at SEMA today, where the OIA is calling for Obama to create a new 1.4 MILLION acre National Monument in Utah, specifically citing a threat from OHV use allowed today by the BLM.


PUBLIC LANDS: Outdoor industry calls for Utah Canyonlands monument

Phil Taylor, E&E reporter

Greenwire: Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A coalition of outdoor recreation businesses today asked President Obama to designate a national monument protecting 1.4 million acres of federal lands in southern Utah.

The Outdoor Industry Association in a letter today urged Obama to use his Antiquities Act authority to protect Greater Canyonlands, an area surrounding Canyonlands National Park that it described as a "geologic wonderland and a treasure trove of ancient cultural and archaeological artifacts."

"Many of us know and love the Greater Canyonlands area firsthand, and would like to see the area preserved because it is a premier part of our nation's natural heritage," the group wrote. "But as people who make their living in the outdoor industry, we also want to stress that preserving landscapes like Greater Canyonlands makes good economic sense. Wildlands are the foundational infrastructure for our industry."

The campaign is the latest show of political strength by OIA, a trade group that has threatened to yank its semiannual trade show from Salt Lake City if Utah state officials do not soften their stance on federal land management. Members include outdoor retailers Patagonia, JanSport and Black Diamond Equipment, as well as a bevy of outfitting shops.

The Canyonlands proposal is one of several by conservation groups urging Obama to take unilateral action to protect public lands. In a divided Congress, few expect to see significant conservation bills pass.

In its letter, OIA warns that the Bureau of Land Management's plans allow damaging off-highway vehicle use and would open scenic and primitive areas to oil and gas drilling and mining.
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance is also lobbying for a Canyonlands monument and has enlisted the support of Aron Ralston, who cut his hand off after becoming trapped by a rock in the Canyonlands area, inspiring the movie "127 Hours."

The proposal was panned this morning by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

"My starting point on the monument plan is NO," he wrote on Twitter. "I will work with all sides, but this is not the way to proceed."

Conservation groups are proposing monuments in New Mexico's Organ Mountains and Rio Grande del Norte, as well as Colorado's Brown's Canyon and a large swath of land north of the Grand Canyon, among other areas. Obama has designated four national monuments, none of them nearly as large as the Canyonlands proposal.
OIA is dominated by folks from Patagonia, who paid for the OHV hit book "Thrillcraft, The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation"

Thrillcraft: The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation: George Wuerthner: 9781933392660: Amazon.com: Books

This book was sent to every congressional member and state legislator in the country, along with every OHV program manager in the country.

[Jeff Knoll]

Originally Posted by TrailGuru

Jeff,

Just a cautionary note about tying ORBA's name too closely with the Outdoor Industry Association economic study of outdoor recreation. OIA is NOT a friend of OHV recreation, their leadership is dominated by hard core anti-OHV folks. As an example, you probably got this e-mail from Stuart at SEMA today, where the OIA is calling for Obama to create a new 1.4 MILLION acre National Monument in Utah, specifically citing a threat from OHV use allowed today by the BLM.


PUBLIC LANDS: Outdoor industry calls for Utah Canyonlands monument

Phil Taylor, E&E reporter

Greenwire: Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A coalition of outdoor recreation businesses today asked President Obama to designate a national monument protecting 1.4 million acres of federal lands in southern Utah.

The Outdoor Industry Association in a letter today urged Obama to use his Antiquities Act authority to protect Greater Canyonlands, an area surrounding Canyonlands National Park that it described as a "geologic wonderland and a treasure trove of ancient cultural and archaeological artifacts."

"Many of us know and love the Greater Canyonlands area firsthand, and would like to see the area preserved because it is a premier part of our nation's natural heritage," the group wrote. "But as people who make their living in the outdoor industry, we also want to stress that preserving landscapes like Greater Canyonlands makes good economic sense. Wildlands are the foundational infrastructure for our industry."

The campaign is the latest show of political strength by OIA, a trade group that has threatened to yank its semiannual trade show from Salt Lake City if Utah state officials do not soften their stance on federal land management. Members include outdoor retailers Patagonia, JanSport and Black Diamond Equipment, as well as a bevy of outfitting shops.

The Canyonlands proposal is one of several by conservation groups urging Obama to take unilateral action to protect public lands. In a divided Congress, few expect to see significant conservation bills pass.

In its letter, OIA warns that the Bureau of Land Management's plans allow damaging off-highway vehicle use and would open scenic and primitive areas to oil and gas drilling and mining.
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance is also lobbying for a Canyonlands monument and has enlisted the support of Aron Ralston, who cut his hand off after becoming trapped by a rock in the Canyonlands area, inspiring the movie "127 Hours."

The proposal was panned this morning by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

"My starting point on the monument plan is NO," he wrote on Twitter. "I will work with all sides, but this is not the way to proceed."

Conservation groups are proposing monuments in New Mexico's Organ Mountains and Rio Grande del Norte, as well as Colorado's Brown's Canyon and a large swath of land north of the Grand Canyon, among other areas. Obama has designated four national monuments, none of them nearly as large as the Canyonlands proposal.
OIA is dominated by folks from Patagonia, who paid for the OHV hit book "Thrillcraft, The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation"

Thrillcraft: The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation: George Wuerthner: 9781933392660: Amazon.com: Books

This book was sent to every congressional member and state legislator in the country, along with every OHV program manager in the country.

A quick search of my name and OIA will yield my position on that study. I think it is severely flawed. Not sure where you are getting the impression I would tie ORBA too closely. Our economic impact on JV was generated by the work of offroaders, not a consultant from Florida.

Thanks for the advice at any rate.

[TrailGuru]

Jeff,

I apologize, I misunderstand what economic study you were refering to. I saw the OIA study in an ORBA newsletter, and assumed that is the study you were talking about. You know what they say about assuming things...,my mistake. I also noticed that the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association was just touting the OIA study in a recent press release, and that kind of reinforced my assumption

I am glad to hear you are up to speed on OIA and their study. I was a speaker at a seminar at one of their trade shows several years ago, and tried to get them to back off some on Wilderness and National Monument endorsements, but their leadership seems to be dominated by hard core enviros. All of their members needs to understand that only about 3% of the population that recreates on public lands actually visits designated Wilderness areas.

On interesting item concerning economics and Utah where this new Monument is proposed. There is a Cabella's store near Provo Utah that generates more economic activity and visitors than all of the National Parks and National Monuments in the state combined.

I do see that some companies have left their ranks,