Military Base Expansion Into Johnson Valley OHV Riding Area Hit Snag
Military Efforts To Expand Base Into California's Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Riding Area Hit Snag
The U.S. military can't spend a dime on expanding a Marine base
into the popular Johnson Valley off-highway vehicle riding area in
California until the Navy files a report on off-highway riding with
Congress, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.
On Jan. 2, President Obama signed into law the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (H.R. 4310), triggering a
hold on spending and a 90-day deadline for the military to report
to Congress on how its proposed expansion of a Marine base at
Twentynine Palms, Calif., would affect off-highway riding at
Johnson Valley.
The language was inserted into the bill by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett
(R-Md.) with support from Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mark
Udall (D-Colo.).
"This requirement for a report to Congress is very important
because it will force the Navy to explain to the people's
representatives why it wants to bar riders from one of the most
popular riding areas in the country," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice
president for government relations who is a former congressman and
U.S. senator from Colorado.
"Congress will have the final say on whether the military can
proceed with its plans to expand the base into Johnson Valley,"
Allard said. "But we don't believe this expansion is necessary. The
report will allow for some breathing room for off-highway-vehicle
advocates and the military to talk to try to come up with a
solution that meets the training needs of the military while
maintaining access for motorized recreation.
"Also, the report should show members of Congress who may not be
familiar with Johnson Valley how vitally important the area is for
motorized recreation," Allard said.
In July, the Department of the Navy released a final environmental
impact statement for the expansion of the Marine base. The
preferred alternative would allow public use of only 40,000 acres
of the 190,000-acre Johnson Valley OHV area, and for only 10 months
a year. It's all part of an effort by the Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center at Twentynine Palms to expand its land holdings to
allow for more live-fire training. The Marine Corps is part of the
Navy.
Several years ago, the Navy began the formal process to take over
some 365,906 acres of public land near San Bernardino to use for
live-fire training for the Marines. At that time, the Navy filed an
application with the U.S. Interior Department seeking control of
the public land, which is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bureau
of Land Management.
The Marine Corps hopes to begin training on the land in 2014.
"The AMA, in partnership with the California Motorized Recreation
Council and The Livingston Group in Washington, D.C., that was
hired by the CMRC to move the legislation, worked long and hard to
get this important report required before the base expansion can
proceed," Allard added. "This was truly a team effort involving
many southern California motorized groups and their elected
representatives in Washington, D.C., as well as other
representatives in Congress."
The California Motorized Recreation Council is a non-profit
association comprised of the leadership of the largest off-highway
vehicle recreation organizations in California. CMRC membership
includes, the Off-Road Business Association, California Association
of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs, California Off-Road Vehicle Association,
AMA national, American Sand Association, California-Nevada
Snowmobile Association, AMA District 36 (Northern California,
Northwestern Nevada) and AMA District 37 (Southern California)
Off-Road.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
