Land Management Issue [Johnson Valley] - Need Feedback

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Ruby1 · Czar Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 164 Location: Hebron KY

All,

A good friend of mine that has wheeled extensively in the desert southwest has brought an issue to my attention that I would like to share with you.

You may have heard of Johnson Valley in Twentynine Palms, CA. This is the home of trails like The Hammers and other areas that have been a part of our sport since it's earliest days. You've seen these areas featured in the videos of the WE ROCK pro competitions and other programs.

There is an effort by the U.S. Navy and other military arms to appropriate Johnson valley and the Twentynine Palms tracts of land for "live fire" and other military training purposes.

Due to the distance, this area is not a place that we would typically consider visiting as a club but it's another chunk bitten out of the lands that those in our sport have come to love and enjoy for many years. Below are a couple of links that explain the issue and provide the contact information if we choose to voice our opinion.

Our collective voice will be louder than as individuals. But I also understand and respect individuals' concerns to support our military's efforts to remain prepared to act in our defense. So I need your quick response to a poll.

Do we wish to voice a club opinion in this affair?

Visit the links. Give it some thought and let's hear from you. If we choose to engage, we'll have email our response by January 31st.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-land-use/254033-please-save-johnson-valley-ohv-hammers.html

http://www.friendsofgiantrock.com/?q=node/97
_________________
Joe
'04 TJ Rubi - lots of mods

They may not always remember what you said, but they'll never forget the rush of the ride.

CJ-X · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject:

Funny isn't it. Everyone wants to stop us from driving on top of any piece of sacred dirt or bit of rock, but it is perfectly fine to completely blow it up.

Seriously though,
I say we join the fight against it. If there are other areas that they (the military) can use that are just as suitable for their training, then let them expand in those directions. However, If they truly need the land, then they are going to take it anyway, and our efforts most likely will have done no harm to our military.
Our voices should be heard so that our government is aware that we are losing, or are faced with losing yet another place of recreation for our hobby (Which does have an impact on the economy). Perhaps we will get the sympathy vote once in a while.
$0.02
_________________

CJ-5

cmc46548 · Modified Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 49

I agree.
the government & military have access to far more land than off-road enthusiasts. We lose enough to private parties, but if we start giving it up to the government, we might as well just ride around in our back yards.

2 more cents.....

V8-YJ · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

Hey Joe, I have heard about the military wanting that area for live fire. I found a piece on some websight and also read it in 4-wheel and off road. If we can get a address to a least write some formal letter of objection at least it shows we support other clubs and their fight to preserve what lands exist to ride on. I'll see what I can find out. John.
_________________
Remember when car were cars and an airbag was someone who talked to much.

CJ-X · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

Here are some standard people to contact:

Senator George Voinovich (R- OH) ph202-224-3353 fx202-228-1382
http://voinovich.senate.gov

Senator Sherrod Brown (D- OH) ph202-224-2315 fx202-228-6321
http://brown.senate.gov

Representative Jean Schmidt (R - 02) ph202-225-3164 fx202-225-1992
http://www.house.gov/schmidt

Or...
In California,

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) ph202-224-3841 fx202-228-3954
http://feinstein.senate.gov

Senator Barbara Boxer (D- CA) ph202-224-3553 fx202-224-0454
http://boxer.senate.gov

Representative Jerry Lewis (R - 41) ph202-225-5861 fx202-225-6498
http://www.house.gov/jerrylewis/

Or...
Kentucky Senators & ? reps

Senator Mitch McConnell (R- KY) ph202-224-2541 fx202-224-2499
http://mcconnell.senate.gov

Senator Jim Bunning (R- KY) ph202-224-4343 fx202-228-1373
http://bunning.senate.gov

EDIT: I just noticed that those are all the Washington DC Numbers. Are they really ever there?

Might want to direct correspondence to their local offices.
_________________

CJ-5

MadMax · Big Dawg Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 112

I agree with John and Jim's statemeents above.

here's another group trying to take away our right to use public land with any type of vehicle.
http://www.stopthrillcraft.org/index.htm.
Watch the video if you really have the time. Just wonder where all these "facts" come from and how good they really are.

Then go here to let them know you don't agree with them:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/24230.htm

May not help but at least it will let them know there's people who don't agree with their thoughts.
_________________
89 YJ 350 FI D60 front and 14B rear NP2o5 4 linked on 42s
"Gangreen"

Ruby1 · Czar Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 164 Location: Hebron KY

All,

Here are the PRIMARY links you / we should use to voice our opinion. These communications will become part of the official public record in the dicussion of this issue IF submitted by 12/31/09. It's fine to mount pressure on our local representatives and senators, but the immediate action should be made as described below.

In my original post I provided two web links.

This one is the "Let us ride" perspective.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-land-use/254033-please-save-johnson-valley-ohv-hammers.html

This is clipped from the link above.
email: SMBPLMSWEBPAO@usmc.mil
Comments must be received by Jan. 31, 2009, for consideration in the Draft EIS.

There is also a sample letter shown here that could be copied & pasted along with our club affiliation.

The second link is also offroad friendly but more from the Chamber of Commerce perspective.

http://www.friendsofgiantrock.com/?q=node/97

This is clipped from the link above.
Comments can be as simple as one sentence, or as many words as you would like. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS IS JAN 31, 2009.

Download comment form here http://pfjv.org/Mcom.pdf

Comments may be submitted in writing by sending a letter to:

Mr. Joe Ross, Project Manager, 29Palms Proposed Training
Land/Airspace Acquisition Project, MAGTFTC/MCAGCC,
Bldg. 1554, Box 788104, Twentynine Palms, CA 92278-8104;

by an e-mail to SMBPLMSWEBPAO@usmc.mil ;

or by voice mail at 760-830-3764
_________________
Joe
'04 TJ Rubi - lots of mods

They may not always remember what you said, but they'll never forget the rush of the ride.

V8-YJ · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject:

Hey Joe , I sent you an e-mail with a letter I typed up to send out to the Johnson Valley problem. If it is acceptable let me know and we can get it out there. John R.
_________________
Remember when car were cars and an airbag was someone who talked to much.

Ruby1 · Czar Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 164 Location: Hebron KY

Members,

Please review the letter that John Rossmann composed and provide feedback here if you believe that this is what we want to say. My opinion is that this letter is exceptionally well-written. It's to-the-point, factual, demonstrates that we've considered the issue from different viewpoints, and also (very important) expresses support for our fellow citizens that serve to protect our way of life. Great job, John!

To whom it may concern,

We are writing you this letter to urge you to reconsider the acquisition of the Johnson Valley off-road park for the use as a live fire range. This park is enjoyed by many off-road enthusiasts. Many people come from all over the country to ride these trails and many have devoted a lot of time and effort in building and maintaining the trail system. Also the economic impact to the local businesses needs to be considered. While we support the United States Military and appreciate all the sacrifices that are made by our men and women. We hope that an alternative solution can be achieved. If there are other areas that can be expanded on that would not close public lands we hope that they will be considered instead of closing the Johnson Valley area to the public. We appreciate the fact that you are willing to hear input from the public and hope you will take this letter into consideration. Thank you for your time.

John Rossmann
Land Use Officer
Ohio River Fourwheelers
_________________
Joe
'04 TJ Rubi - lots of mods

They may not always remember what you said, but they'll never forget the rush of the ride.

CowboyDon · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Just a few grammar suggestions:

To whom it may concern,

We are writing you this letter to urge you to reconsider the acquisition of the Johnson Valley off-road park for the use as a live fire range for the United States Marine Corps. This park is enjoyed by many off-road enthusiasts. Many people come from all over the country to ride these trails and many have devoted a lot of time and effort in building and maintaining the trail system. Also the economic impact to the local businesses needs to be considered. While we support the United States Military and appreciate all the sacrifices made by our brave men and women, we hope that an alternative solution can be achieved. If there are other areas that can be expanded on that would not close public lands we hope they will be considered instead of closing the Johnson Valley area to the public.

We appreciate the fact you are willing to hear input from the public and hope you will take this letter into consideration.

Thank you for your time.

John Rossmann
Land Use Officer
Ohio River Four Wheelers, Inc.
_________________
"Cowboy" Don
'99 Wrangler Sport

V8-YJ · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Don, Those few changes made the letter a bit more formal and gave it a better appearance. It looks good to me. John
_________________
Remember when car were cars and an airbag was someone who talked to much.

Ruby1 · Czar Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 164 Location: Hebron KY

All,

There seemed to be overwhelming support for our participation in this cause. There were no dissenting opinions. Therefore I have forwarded Don's revision to John's original draft of the letter, shown in posts above this one.

Not sure if it will do any good. The military usually has a way of getting what it wants. But at least we've gone on public record as having voiced our opinion and shown solidarity with our offroading brethren.

Thanks to everyone who voiced an opinion and helped provide some guidance.

Joe
_________________
Joe
'04 TJ Rubi - lots of mods

They may not always remember what you said, but they'll never forget the rush of the ride.

Feb 09, 2010 - 05:42 AM