[RRethoret]

I hate this, not knowing exactly what the Marines are thinking.
This waiting is killing me.....

Anyone have any news?

[pitchitpitchit]

Originally Posted by RRethoret

I hate this, not knowing exactly what the Marines are thinking.
This waiting is killing me.....

Anyone have any news?

The waiting does suck. Recently I have become more concerned with what Feinstein is up to. If she gets the National Monument approved in the area to the East we are screwed. The Marines will have to take JV. In addition to that, the solar/ wind companies are trying to cut up the desert on federal lands.

[tree]

all i got in return was this email today.

ear Mr. Gotte:



Thank you for writing to me to express your concern about the Marine Corps' efforts to acquire land within the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.



As you know, Marine Corps officials have been studying the potential expansion of the Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms to accommodate Marine Corps training requirements. Land considered for acquisition includes portions of the Johnson Valley OHV Area. Last year, I met with Marine Corps representatives to discuss this issue. As the result of these meetings, the Marine Corps committed to studying an alternative acquisition plan that would allow for a portion of Johnson Valley to be used exclusively for military training, a portion exclusively for continued OHV recreation and a third area for dual use. While the environmental review process must still be completed, I hope that the result will be an outcome that is workable for the Marines and provides benefits to the recreational users of Johnson Valley.



You may also be interested to know that on December 21, 2009, I introduced the "California Desert Protection Act of 2010" (S. 2921), which would: set aside new land in the Mojave Desert for conservation; enhance recreational opportunities; and streamline the federal permitting process to advance renewable energy development on suitable lands. Specifically, this bill would designate five existing OHV areas in the Mojave Desert as permanent OHV areas. Collectively, these areas could cover as much as 314,000 acres, depending on whether any portion of the Johnson Valley OHV Area is ultimately needed by the Marines. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine which, if any, lands adjacent to these recreation areas would be suitable for addition. This provision is intended to help make up for some of the lost acres in Johnson Valley should the Marines decide to expand there. A detailed bill summary and map can be found online at http://feinstein.senate.gov (search keywords: "California Desert Protection Act 2010").



Please know that I appreciate hearing your support for maintaining OHV recreation in Johnson Valley and will keep your thoughts in mind should additional legislation to address OHV recreation areas come before the Senate.



Again, thank you for writing. If you have further questions or comments, please contact my office in Washington, D.C. at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

[RRethoret]

I have not recieved anything like that from our Senator.
Interesting....I wonder what this new plan entails (as far as the breaking up of JV as an off road area goes.)

[rockhoe]

I think she know's she is pushing the Marines to the west. She also know's that the solar company's will develope farms in the western desert. Between Joshua tree and Mohave preserves along with the land she wants to grab the open flate land left in the east is scarce. If I read correctly the feinstein plan dosen't say what type of use will be allowed in this new protected area for recreation? I am also sad to see so little participation from fellow offroaders. I was at the Hammers race running a check point, and what ever else they needed. There was an estimated 25,000 people out there. I saw the FOJV booth and donated. It seems to me most refuse to wake up and realize that when its gone its gone. See I was a kid desert racing when Sen. Alan Cranston closed huge amounts of the desert. As far as I know that land is still closed.

[RRethoret]

I'm thinking that off roaders are quite capable of mobilizing for a cause. It just takes the correct approach. A lot of people think that jumping up and down and screaming shows spirit.
Sure....
But organization of effort works better.

Don't think for a moment that the virtual rally for JV didn't make a difference.
We maintain contact with each other on line much more so than we used to. We organize them here, give them direction and we respond.

The old ways don't work any more, I'm not sure they worked all that well before. When we have a clear target, we can go after it.

[rockhoe]

I think it is great we have this site. I will do what I can to fight for our rights to enjoy JV.

[tree]

i was at the race sat. on the course at the rock pile. i helped stop the 4 trucks after the crash so others were safe. i have been to most of the lucerne and barstow races for the last 15 years. i could not imagine not going to a race or event in the future. we will will need to come together even stronger now as an offroad community. i was on scene within 2 minutes. i was camped next to the crash scene all night. i think the desert and race events in the desert are very safe. i did not like watching 6 of my fellow spectators die at my feet. and one of the 2 others that died at the hospital was my co workers riding buddy. i will be attending the m.o.r.e. sept 11th race. i wish i had FOJV shirts and stickers to pass out at that event.

[RRethoret]

It might be a chance to help out there as well.
Let me see what we can do.

[tree]

let me know. this site has been too quiet. the sept 11th race is a go. there was 2 races over last weekend. lucerne and vegas. i am willing to pass out stickers and sell or pass out shirts for FOJV to wake up the crowd alittle on sat.