The Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study alternatives for meeting Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) sustained, combined arms, live-fire and maneuver training requirements. The proposed action is to request the withdrawal of federal public lands, acquire state and privately owned lands, and to seek the establishment of Special Use Airspace with the effect of expanding the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, California.

For the complete Federal Register announcement go to: http://www.pfjv.org/


Helen Baker
www.pfjv.org

Thanks for keeping us up to date... please continue to do so!

But in the mean time... maybe a clarification...

This sounds to me like a good thing... Are they looking at alternative areas to expand instead of Johnson Valley OHV area? That is what it sounds like... if that is the case - I pat everyone on the back that took a stance and physically did something to help the cause. My analysis of this situation is - they probably wouldn't go through the actions if they didn't think the other area was somewhat acceptable.

The leadership of Partnership for Johnson Valley has worked with the Marines from day one to "look east" in its expansion effort.

From the two public Notice(s) issued thus far, I sure seems that the Marines have taken this advice and included this concept in the public process and study.

Great news! Let's hope it works out as planned!!

4 of the 5 alternatives cut in to the OHVRA..... severely!

LOTS of fighting ahead - the off road coalition needs to come together big time on this!

I'm not too familiar with the riding areas out there, but from having been stationed out at the stumps a while back - I know that all that freaking desert is pretty much the same. My question here is: What is so "unique" about the areas that the Corps wants to take that cant be found in other riding areas?

OK, with the proposed alternatives - 0 acres, 112,000 acres or 188,000 acres of the OHVRA will be taken for additional training area.

The uniqueness is, the "Hammer" trails that jeep clubs have built over the years in rocky hills toward the east part of the area - which boarders the existing base. These trails offer the most rugged and challenging terrain for the crawling community. People come from all over the US and Canada for these trails, there is nothing else like it.

And a blast to watch too!