Could New "Sea-Based" Focus of Marines Cast Doubt on JV Proposal?

HQ believes the AP story today about the Marines downsizing and becoming more of a sea-based military operation could cast doubt on the entire planning process of their proposal to close a significant portion of the Johnson Valley OHV Area for massive land invasion-type training exercises.


AP Article on JV
http://news.yahoo.com/postwar-marines-smaller-less-focused-land-war-132241513.html

In my comment letters for BRC (I am their western representative), BRC pointed out that holding massive landscape level invasion practice did not square with the modern 21st Century battlefield where smaller multi-force integrated units was our future.

Blog on BRC Comment Letter and other info
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2011/05/brcnational-groups-comment-letter-on.html

HQ believes the Marines new sea-based focus combined with the national debt crisis might spell the end for the JV proposal that many of us felt was ill advised and unwarranted. Watch for many twists and turns in the JV saga this year.

BRC/National Group's Comment Letter on Johnson Valley DEIS

By now a lot of riders and wheelers know about the Marine Corps’ proposal to expand into the Johnson Valley OHV Area. In fact, a lot of you have already sent in comment letters and attended meetings.


On May 19, 2011, BRC sent in its official comment letter on the Corps’ DEIS. For a copy of that letter … please go to the BRC News Release below.

May 23, 2011 BRC News Release on Johnson Valley with BRC Comment Letter
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=735&filter=media

After talking with a number of active and retired service members including Marines and a Vietnam-era Green Beret, I am now more firmly convinced then ever that the ill-conceived plan was not based on a strategic military “need” but rather it appears to be based on the personal agenda of several high-ranking military officials.

Not once in the original scoping document or in the DEIS did the Corps justify the “need” to boot the OHV community out of Johnson Valley.

I would encourage those of you to read the BRC comment letter and consider sending in a letter of your own before the May 26 deadline.

Here is info from an ARRA Email Alert (with suggested comments)

All DEIS Alternatives Would Restrict Access


As you have no doubt heard by now, the United States Marines are seeking to establish a large-scale training range facility at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. To this end a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been released. Comments will be accepted until Thursday, May 26th.

The DEIS analyzes 6 alternatives for potential impacts to land use, recreation, public health and safety, air quality, noise, biological resources, cultural resources, geological resources, water resources and other resources. The preferred alternative is alternative 6.

Unfortunately, any of the proposed alternatives, including the Marines’ preferred alternative, will ultimately result in the loss of OHV access and possibly a complete closure of the Johnson Valley OHV area.

Please review the DEIS and submit comments by filling in the attached webform found here. You can cut-and-paste the following or insert your own comments. Either way it is imperative that you weigh in before the comment period closes on May 26!

DEIS Here
http://www.marines.mil/unit/29palms/las/Pages/default.aspx

DEIS Comment Link
https://extranet.tecinc.com/29Palms_DEIS/

Suggested Comments:

As an off-highway vehicle enthusiast I write to urge you to support the “no action” alternative in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Land Acquisition and Airspace Establishment To Support Large-Scale Marine Air Ground Task Force Live Fire and Maneuver Training. I recognize that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) notes that no action “...is not a viable alternative since it does not meet the purpose and need…” However, none of the 6 proposed alternatives, including preferred alternative 6, adequately address all issues including providing for recreation, particularly motorized recreation.


Local riders, and many from adjoining regions, have been pushed off of public lands and out of many areas of the desert for decades. While I understand that the Marines have a vital mission, there simply must be a better way to provide for adequate training while not essentially eliminating responsible access to Johnson Valley for motorized recreationists.

I encourage you to withdraw the DEIS in favor of developing a new DEIS with a broadened range of alternatives that include options that allow for the continued responsible use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs), and that recognize the vital economic impact that motorized recreation has in the area.
_______________________________

Also, here is a link to a BRC JV Alert

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1337


HQ believes in and supports our military. However, HQ does not believe that our military should be exempted from following the good government standards set in place for other agencies such as the Forest Service and BLM.



Thanks in advance for your continued support!!!
****PS May 24 Article on Commission JV Tour
http://hidesertstar.com/articles/2011/05/25/news/doc4ddcaef4e9a76816091512.txt
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SEND LETTER TODAY to Keep JV Open - Use BRC Alert with Comments and Overview

Let's Keep This From Being the Future for JV

HQ wanted to make sure riders knew that BRC just sent out an action alert today (with suggested comments) asking you to send in comments regarding the Marines at 29 Palms DEIS.

New BRC Alert with Suggested Comments and Overview
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1334

Since all land-use decisions are political decisions (an axiom here at HQ) including the proposal by Marine leadership to give OHV the boot from Johnson Valley, HQ is urging that you send a copy of your comments to your elected officials. Remember that Congress must review and approve the project AFTER the planning process is complete.

Here is a link where you can find those elected federal officials
http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/ASCD/action/Legislators.Main

It only takes a few minutes to cut-n-paste in some suggested comments and/or add a few personal comments of your own. HQ already used info on the alert and sent in comments to the Corps and elected Members of Congress.

Please make sure that this info gets forwarded to your OHV network. Thanks in advance for your efforts to keep JV open for OHV use.

Marines' Johnson Valley DEIS is Flawed - Comments Due May 26!

As many of you know, the Marines at 29 Palms have proposed to expand their base of operations into the popular Johnson Valley OHV Area. Back in 2008 and 2009, a number of OHV groups, local governments, and other stakeholders challenged the premise of the proposal and wrote comments in strong opposition to the expansion.

In the 2009 BRC comment letter, the “need” for three Marine Expeditionary Brigades to train simultaneously was challenged. Another question was raised about why the Marines are developing a proposal based on an outdated segregated training model instead of looking at a 21st Century integrated training model? Also, the Marines were asked about how this proposal would be funded considering the current fiscal crisis and ballooning national deficit?

2009 BRC Comment Letter on the Marines NOI
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20DEIS%20Comment%20Letter%20Jan%2029%2020090001.pdf

HQ Blog on the NOI with Various Letters and Comments
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/02/ohv-groups-say-closure-of-johnson.html

HQ’s initial impression after a quick review of the DEIS is that the agency has failed to answer the aforementioned questions. This proposal appears to have little to do with current and projected battlefield scenarios. Rather, this proposal appears to be politically motivated and has the same merit as a Navy Base Commander wanting to reactivate 3 battleships and then do a front-loaded expansion plan to support it. While that might have some emotional attraction, that plan would be just as irrelevant as the Marines claimed “need” to have three MEBs train together in what was once a popular recreation area.

Another process issue is that the scoping document did not daylight the DEIS’s post-scoping arbitrary decision criteria that was used to basically disqualify numerous public comments and ideas such as using other federal military facilities and reclassification or re-designation of other public lands.

HQ believes that the DEIS as presented is seriously, if not fatally, flawed. Those of you who commented should review your comments and point out to the Corps where you feel they missed the boat.

Again, HQ’s opposition should not be taken as a slight against our military. But rather as opposition to bad decision-making by federal officials. Please get your comments in by May 26, 2011.

For information on the DEIS, please see the BRC alert on this subject
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1324

Thanks for your interest in this subject.

Johnson Valley Update - New June 2009 Scoping Report

The General wanted to let the troops know that the USMC just issued their June 2009 Final Scoping Summary Report on the Proposed Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base Expansion Project.

See 24 Page June 2009 Report
http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las/docs/scoping%20report/Scoping%20Summary%20Report%2029Palms%20SSR%2011%20June%2009.pdf

I believe this report substantiates the importance of riders submitting written comments during the public scoping period of the NEPA process. The General commends all of you who took time to fill out comment cards, send an email, sign a petition, or submit formal written comments that included substantive ideas and concepts/tenets to be included in the development of action alternatives.

As I continue to review this report, one thing stands out and that is on page 19 where it talks about developing alternatives. One key concept that BRC and others proposed was that if the NEPA process continues, that the Marines look at “co-use” with the public or “joint use” or “joint training” with other members of the military on nearby federal facilities such as Fort Irwin. The General has long advocated the critical importance of users submitting “citizen’s alternatives” during the scoping process. I believe the scoping report supports that foundational axiom.

January 2009 BRC Comment Letter with Alternative Proposals

http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20DEIS%20Comment%20Letter%20Jan%2029%2020090001.pdf


December 2008 BRC Comment Letter on BLM Withdrawal
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20Withdrawal%20Dec%2015%20Letter0001.pdf


A lot of political and economic "stuff " has occurred since this project was first day lighted to the public. The General believes that the final chapter on OHV use at Johnson Valley has not been written. Maybe it will be one of those books that are never finished?

OHV Groups Say Closure of Johnson Valley is Bad Idea

After reading an excellent Feb. 24 article on Offroadweb.com about the proposed Marine Corps takeover of the popular Johnson Valley OHV area, The General was struck by the rather arrogant tone of Marine Corps spokespersons who basically stated that the OHV community had to make their case to the Marine Corps regarding the recreational and economic importance/value of Johnson Valley.

As stated in the Oct. 2008 OHV Coalition letter against the proposed expansion of the Marine Corps base into Johnson Valley, the coalition wants the Marine Corps to justify the need for expansion. In the many public meetings and associated documents, the Marine Corps has used circular logic and vagaries in an attempt to justify the expansion.

In this day of economic crisis, The General agrees with the BRC Jan. 26, 2009 letter that basically opposes the expansion. However, if the planning process goes forward, the Marines must have alternatives that include using nearby military lands for joint/integrated operations and training instead of taking the Johnson Valley OHV Area for segregated exercises.

Also, both Congress and the Department of Interior have yet to approve the land withdrawal. During this economic crisis, the public should ask Congress if this Donald Rumsfeld-era land withdrawal makes sense.

In the DOD section of the 2010 President’s Budget, there does not appear to be a great
deal of support for massive base expansion, but rather improving the military facilities that already exist.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/Department_of_Defense.pdf


Feb. 11, 2009 – SEMA Fights Back on Johnson Valley Closure
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2009/163_news090211_sema_johnson_valley_ohv_area/index.html


Feb. 24, 2009 - Off-roadweb.com Article
http://www.off-roadweb.com/features/0904or_dispute_over_johnson_valley/index.html


Oct. 2008 OHV Coalition Letter
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20OHV%20Group%20letter%20Oct%2020080001.pdf


Dec. 2008 BRC Letter to BLM on the Withdrawal
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20Withdrawal%20Dec%2015%20Letter0001.pdf


Jan. 2009 BRC Letter to the Marine Corps DEIS
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20DEIS%20Comment%20Letter%20Jan%2029%2020090001.pdf


The General’s concern about the withdrawal of Johnson Valley should not be taken as a lack of support for our military. Rather, it should be looked upon as a member of the public holding a government agency accountable. With billions of dollars being tossed around like lettuce on a dinner salad, private citizens and user groups will have to watch government spending and keep an eye open for things like a $10,000 hammer, a $20,000 toilet seat, or an unwarranted land withdrawal.

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Action Alert - Send Letter to Save Johnson Valley OHV Area

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
SEND A LETTER TO HELP SAVE JOHNSON VALLEY
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
The Marine Base at Twentynine Palms is considering expanding because they claim to need more room for training purposes. The proposed expansion could functionally close most, if not all, of the Johnson Valley OHV Area. In order for the Marines to expand the base they need to go through a public process called the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In NEPA, it is very important that the OHV community submit letters during this scoping process requesting the Department of the Navy analyze impacts they feel would be made by the proposed project and to offer alternatives. Now is the time when we can have an impact on the proposed project. The deadline for submitting these comments is January 31, 2009.
During the fall, the BlueRibbon Coalition attended several OHV leadership meetings regarding the Johnson Valley issue. The suggested letter below is based on collaboration with, and input from, AMA D37, ORBA, CA4WDC, Partnership with Johnson Valley, Friends of Johnson Valley, and other groups, specialists, and interests. This letter includes a variety of scoping comments. Select the comments that convey the issues that are most important to you and your family. Include as many or as few as you feel necessary, and feel free to change the wording.
Thank you in advance for your support,Don AmadorWestern RepresentativeBlueRibbon Coalition
PS: BRC needs your support via membership and donations to help us continue our efforts to champion responsible OHV access to public lands. To sign up as a member or to make a donation, go to: https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/join_or_contribute/?c=1