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 Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon 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.sharetra...contribute/?c=1

As many of you know, Johnson Valley OHV is being seriously considered by the US Marine Corps as their new training area. The public scoping meetings and studies have been completed. The Public Comment period ends on January 31st, 2009.



Five of the options that were offered took all or a portion of Johnson Valley , the sixth was to do nothing at all (which is unlikely)



Based upon Brad Mitzelfelts letter to Dianne Feinsteins office, we have drafted a new more specific petition that outlines an option that would de-designate a portion of wilderness area that is acceptable to the

Marines. The wilderness area in question is not considered quality wilderness area, AND has already been used for military training in the past.



We need the public's support for the Marines to even CONSIDER this option.



It is imperative that you read and sign, including your email and mailing addresses. Upon the end of the comment period, this petition will be submitted initially to the Marines, and then we will forward the

signatures and addresses to each local legislator.



PLEASE FORWARD THIS LINK TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW WITH AN INTEREST IN SAVING OUR PUBLIC LANDS.



http://www.ipetition...ey-SpecificPlan