The ghost of Christmas past.

Christmas, a holiday that has become a capitalistic dream. A day celebrated with over spending, over indulgence, and over expectation. Alas this morning there was no screaming children jumping on my bed with the excitement of Santa dropping of the bounty of their last 6 weeks of good behavior. No for I live in a purgatory stuck between a household of young adult children, and being a grandparent. I awoke much later than my peers 10 years younger, laying in bed wondering if I should go talk to my dog. No screaming children attacking my valuable sleep after staying awake all night building a damned toy that seems to be lacking item 4a from the master parts list.

Today I don't sit in my easy chair lamenting the overtime I will have to work to pay for 3 hours of tearing, ripping, and shredding. I don't get to see the smiles of young children as they strain to decide which new toy to play with. Its quiet this morning, in fact I was able to go to the grocery store, and buy a bottle of wine, and cinnamon rolls, no-one the wiser of my absence.  You see my time has passed, those moments wasted on concern for house payments, a job, and the credit card debt I had just produced. My magical moment is now a memory. Gone is the feeling of horror of the money spent, I seemed to survive that with no recollection of it what so ever.  In fact I don't have a clue how much I spent on gifts for those lovely children.

Replaced our dolls, trucks, and obnoxious screaming stuffed animals that fly, with sensible gifts that

can be used in adult life,books, boots, sweaters, and socks. You can't help but wonder if the smile is happiness, or sarcasm. But of course I am armed with the knowledge that while my time is past, I do get to keep those joyous memories of two small children attacking my slumber and screaming that jolly old St Nick, had indeed come to visit. Gone are the faded memories that seemed so important at the time, replaced with only the ghosts of Christmas past. If only someone had told me to forget any concern I might have had, and focus more deeply on what Christmas was giving me. The feeling of my small children wrapped in new pajamas, the taste of cookies I forced down before passing out Christmas eve and the look of happiness in my wife's eyes knowing her children would spend another Christmas believing in magic.

I am now convinced without a doubt, that its moments like this that contribute to spoiled Grandchildren. Have a Merry Christmas, and take a mental picture of what this day offers. Someday it will be valuable beyond words. 

Stand Up and Fight! Be the Change!

May 15^th 2013 is an historic day for OHV users. While it may not have shook the earth like a SCORE Trophy Truck racing across the desert, it is a very important landmark in the race to save the Johnson valley OHV area.  The “Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area Establishment Act,” (HR 1676) sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee, with minor changes from its original form. The only Amendment was a change in the days the United States Marine Corps would be able to use the area under a permit from 42 days per year to 60 days per year.   Rep. Bishop  (R-UT) commended Rep. Paul Cook for introducing the legislation.  He noted that the issue was not easy to deal with and that the bill does a good job in balancing needs.  He observed that the bill is as close to ideal as possible in the face of challenging issues such as addressing the needs of OHV users. On its path to becoming a law, the bill has been sent to the House Armed Services Committee, Chaired by Rep. Buck McKeon, who is a bill co-sponsor.  

 The action sets in motion the potential end to a 5-year debate about the expansion of the 2^nd largest military base in the United States.   HR 1676 protects OHV activities by establishing the "Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area" under continued management by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).   The legislation provides for public participation in determining the dates for military activities that will be the least disruptive for OHV activities.

 Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the US, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. OHV enthusiasts, as well as Stargazers, amateur geologists, and campers use Johnson Valley year-round.  The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event. 

While this latest action gains traction in the fight to save Johnson Valley, the OHV community remains cautiously optimistic because the fight is far from over. While the Bill is doing well in the House, the Bill has yet to be introduced in the Senate.  The road to the finish is going to be rough. “Are monthly expenses are in excess of $12,000 because we have employed a top Washington Lobbyists” Said Save the Hammers Chairman Jeff Knoll. He continued “We have come this far because we have employed a new strategy, I hope we make it all the way to the finish line as it’s always a struggle to raise the funds”.  Those who wish to donate can do so at www.savethehammers.org. 

The California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC) and its Save the Hammers committee has been instrumental in identifying the possible solutions surrounding the needs of the Military while balancing OHV rights established by the California Desert Protection Act.  The American Sand Association (ASA), American Motorcyclists Association (AMA), California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC) California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) California Nevada Snowmobile Association (CNSA), AMA D36, AMA D37, and the Off Road Business Association (ORBA) make up the CMRC. In addition the Save the Hammers committee is made up of business, stakeholders, local, and national associations dedicated to the preservation of this unique desert location. One such association is the Partnership for Johnson Valley who has worked to save Johnson Valley for over five years. The work to preserve the unique terrain of Johnson Valley will continue in perpetuity for the grassroots associations made up the dedicated users of the OHV area and citizens of the remote area.  

Saving OHV Trails Is Like Eating an Elephant.

It is said that eating an elephant is best-accomplished one bite at a time. The same can be said for the large tasks that face the OHV community. While participating in a desert clean up this weekend as part of the Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful Project I could see how the hands of many can accomplish large tasks quickly when the entire group is moving together chipping away at a large nearly impossible mission. The same can be said for the California Motorized Recreation Council’s Save The Hammers effort. The group from multiple OHV backgrounds is working hand in hand on an extremely daunting task. One that many said we had no chance of winning.  Today they are raising funds and awareness as they double down, and not only attempt to protect the largest OHV area in the country, they hope to set a precedent and establish the first Congressionally protected OHV area.

Doing things like this take a lot of dedicated volunteers, and good leaders. The two separate projects demonstrate a common denominator, many people working under the same umbrella. There are two distinctive problems that I see in the OHV advocacy circles, skilled and willing leadership, and enough money to affect a change.  There have recently been some talks about how our community can foster growth and participation, and how we will continue to raise enough funds for future projects. Who will lead when our aging OHV leadership has retired?

Team work helps us accomplish our goal.

 Perhaps the answer lies in merging some of the various associations? In California alone we have an association dedicated to the sand, 4x4 clubs, motorcyclists, side by sides, snowmobiles, and business. While we do have an all-encompassing OHV user group in addition to those listed for California, we also have various national groups.

What ends up happening is the groups often end up bumping heads, fighting for the same dollars, and creating alliances that may not always be in the best interest of the OHV community. Personal pride can get in the way at times as well, as some down right nasty hatred for individuals in leadership roles which effects the ability of the groups to work together. To make matters worse some of the leadership no longer even engages in the sport they have worked to represent finding themselves removed from the passion to enjoy our pubic lands.

Before the clean up the mess was overwhelming.

While I am not sure of the best method to create a strong long lasting legacy group we can leave for the next generation, I can see that we will need to make sweeping changes if we want to continue winning battles. It is very obvious to me that no matter the task whether clean up trash, trail maintenance, or fighting a land closure, we are far batter with a unified voice than we are separate. Maybe the time is right for us to consolidate our OHV associations, and follow the lead of the California Motorized Recreation Council?  

4 hours later the group had it clean with a lot of team work.

Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands!

At the time, I would have never imagine a small task, would bring me so much joy.

 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has."  Margaret Mead

In the spring of 2005 I found myself enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Moab Diner with my family.  We had come to Moab Utah to enjoy the scenic beauty, and tackle some of the best off road Jeep trails in the country.  I enjoy reading independent newspapers when we travel and getting an inside view of the local culture.  The headline story talked about a local environmental activist who had spent every morning picking up trash at the popular Potato Salad Hill obstacle near the Moab Dump, and Sand Flats Recreation area.

I was embarrassed for our community as I read the article, and my embarrassment turned to anger when they explained the effort to close the obstacle all together. While I had seen the crowds that assembled, it was not the right scene for a family with a teenage daughter. We had stayed about 15 minutes, and bailed.  I shared the article with my wife, and we made a vow to come back the next year, and clean up the area every morning, no matter what it took, so that the environmentalists could not gain the attention of cleaning up after the pigs.  What I learned along the way was a far greater lesson, and spawned friendships that help two people understand opposing views.

In 2006 with the Help of the Pirate4x4.com message board I organized a clean up effort that would ensure we covered each day of the event.  Read The Original Thread Here

 Volunteers from across the country lent a hand to make sure we stopped the destruction of Potato Salad Hill. On a cool clear Thursday morning, I met Sara Melnicoff, from Moab Solutions, the woman who had tirelessly cleaned up after the 4 wheelers the year before.

Sara was simply blown away, that so many people would come to help her clean the site. My thirteen year old daughter walked with Sara near Mill Creek, and cried to her when she saw the massive amount of broken glass that littered the streamline.  Sara promised my Daughter that with this kind of manpower we could accomplish anything, including removing all that glass.

Our group loaded all the trash into Sara’s old pickup, and most of it was recycled. This simple

effort continues today, seven years later. Except today, there is no glass-lined stream, and the cleanup requires very little effort. For the most part the area is kept clean through a proactive effort, of Rocky Mountain Extreme who donates a dumpster, and portable toilets.

 Moab Solutions places Recycle bins, and on occasion I make it a point to surprise Sara on a cool clear morning as we watch the sun dance across the La Sal Mountains. Trash collection now amounts to little more then a handful. Sara and I have a friendly debate about closing Potato Salad Hill, and we exchange contact info and I recede back into the hustle of my daily life.

In 2007 Sara was quoted in the local paper “My Perception Of 4 Wheelers Has Been Shattered” That quote to this day remains one of my greatest accomplishments. It is a reminder that there is nothing we can't change without a little effort, and organization of the right people. It is also a reminder that we all have a different view of what Moab should be. Sharing that view after all is what points out things we might have missed the first time around.

I am still learning from Potato Salad Hill, and this is the lesson I believe it is teaching me next. Where is our outreach? While we have done a great job with a proactive effort to keep the area clean, we have done little to expand on this effort and teach the next generation how fragile our sport truly is. While I believe we are far from the community we might have been 25 years ago, what are we doing to help propagate responsible use of our public lands in areas like Potato Salad Hill where we have a captive audience?  What kind of peer pressure are we demonstrating in the areas where popularity generates a crowd? Our we doing the best we can? Are we learning that small groups can make a difference?

Seven Years ago, this area was on the verge of closure. Today it can be an example and an affective tool in education. The question is, are we ready to change the world? Today my children are grown up, and my little girl lives far away attending school in Montana, but every time I go to Moab, she asks me if I plan on picking up trash. I might argue the biggest prize I received from the project was the gift of teaching my children the value of a sunrise, a creek, and a trash bag.

Pictures courtesy of the BLM, and NAXJA Forums.

This article is dedicated to the committed individuals and corporations who have helped keep Moab beautiful. Please visit Moab Solutions for more info on Moab's recycling efforts.  

WHO ACTUALLY OWNS THE WEST?

  Republished from ORP Exclusive on September 28, 2011

 

I am republishing this on my blog because the question of who owns the west is still relevant today. 

You will be happy to hear that this article help create the strategic plan that has helped launch the lobbying efforts in Washington DC to Save Johnson Valley.  Please consider meeting with your Local Legislator in April to discuss your concerns about the national debt, and the Twentynine Palms Base expansion.  you can find more information about the 2nd annual OHV Lobby days at www.ORBA.biz

By Jeff Knoll for Off Road Press.

The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act (HR1581), the Apple Act (HR2852) and the 29 Palms Marine Base expansion all share a similar struggle. Proponents of these bills (or in the case of opposition of the base expansion) should consider an overall strategic plan for a combined effort for education of congressional members east of the Rockies in an effort to further our agenda of OHV access opportunities.
First, let’s consider this statement made by Congressman Ron Bishop regarding the Apple Act.

“Many Washington bureaucrats and lawmakers fail to recognize the unique challenges western states face due to the fact that they consist of millions of acres of un-taxable federal land. Funding education is one of those challenges. More than 50% of the state of Utah consists of lands that produce zero property tax revenue. Utah isn’t alone in this. In the West, one out of every two acres is owned by the federal government,” said Congressman Bishop. “While educators and administrators do the very best they can with the resources they have available, educational opportunities for our children should not be hurt by the West’s absentee landlord- the federal government.”

http://robbishop.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=261296

Let’s dive a little deeper into this statement.  According to the federal property profile of 2004 (the newest final profile I could locate on the web), the western states’ federally owned property looks like this:

http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/ogp/Annual_Report__FY2004_Final_R2M-n11_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf

STATE	TOTAL ACRES OWNED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT	ACRES NOT OWNED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT	ACREAGE OF STATE	% OWNED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ALASKA	252,495,811.30	112,985,788.70	365,481,600.00	69.09%
ARIZONA	34,933,236.10	37,754,763.90	72,688,000.00	48.06%
CALIFORNIA	45,393,237.50	54,813,482.50	100,206,720.00	45.30%
COLORADO	24,354,712.80	42,131,047.20	66,485,760.00	36.63%
IDAHO	26,565,411.80	26,367,708.20	52,933,120.00	50.19%
MONTANA	27,910,151.80	65,360,888.20	93,271,040.00	29.92%
NEVADA	59,362,642.50	10,901,677.50	70,264,320.00	84.48%
NEW MEXICO	32,483,876.50	45,282,523.50	77,766,400.00	41.77%
OREGON	32,715,514.10	28,883,205.90	61,598,720.00	53.11%
UTAH	30,271,905.20	22,425,054.80	52,696,960.00	57.45%
WASHINGTON	12,949,661.70	29,744,098.30	42,693,760.00	30.33%

It is easy to see the Federal Government control over western states is overwhelming. States’ rights to properties within its borders are managed by a Congress whose majority may have little experience with the unique characteristics of such large tracts of land, its management, and best practices. This leads us to HR 1581, the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011. Congressman Bishop again injects his concern for the lack of knowledge of our nation’s Congress when it comes to federal properties.

  “The biggest problem we have is the people in the East … they have no clue what wilderness is. They still think Central Park is wilderness,” he said. “When you talk about releasing stuff, they’re very susceptible to the idea that this is somehow going to degrade society even though we’re talking about areas that have already been adjudicated by the process and are not worthy of being wilderness.”

 With such a diverse collection of strong parties affected by the control of western properties, is there no better time for a strong alliance for the purpose of education on the subject of federally owned public land? Grazing, logging, hunter’s access, OHV and multiple-use access all benefit from locally managed public lands. Individual states’ rights and “Job Creation” are powerful statements in this Congress.

Supporters of HR 1581

• NRA
• American Motorcycle Association
• National Cattlemen’s Beef   Association
• Public Lands Council
• Safari Club International
• Association of American Loggers
• California Associated Loggers
• California Forestry Association
• Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
• Motorcycle Industry Council
• Stewards of the Sequoia
• CORVA
• American Snowmobilers Association
• Off Road Business Association
• Blue Ribbon Coalition
• California Cattlemen’s Association
• National Association of Counties
• US Chamber of Commerce
• Western Business Roundtable
• Professionals for Managed Recreation
• Associated Oregon Loggers
•  Kernville Chamber of Commerce

How can these affect OHV users and the 29 Palms base expansion? Well, if you have not already started to consider the monumental task ahead of OHV users regarding the Department of Defense submitting 29 Palms Expansion Alternative 6 before Congress, and our ability to convince Congress to reject the plan, the struggle of HR 1581, should be a lesson. With such a wide variety of support, one would think it should be a slam-dunk; sadly it is not. There is no doubt HR1581 should pass if you use common sense. It simply asks Congress to do its job, and either designate these lands as wilderness, or release them to the managing authority. Common sense seems less common these days.

OHV users must put their full support behind the education of congressional members east of the Rockies. We must springboard off the sheer numbers that support HR1581, rather than finance the monumental task of convincing Congress that the 29 Palms base expansion is detrimental to our states economy, the lack of a demonstration of need by the Marine Corps, and the impact on recreational activities and potential resource damage due to a possible increase in illegal riding in California. OHV users must utilize this opportunity to partner with the better-funded lobbies and begin a campaign that educates congressional members that the Western States need to be managed in a manner best suited for our unique environment.

The Off-Road Business Association estimates the cost of a federal lawsuit regarding the 29 Palms Base expansions in the $250,000.00 range, but no one can be sure of actual costs. It seems inevitable that a lawsuit will need to be filed if we wish to continue recreation opportunities on the largest OHV area in the United States. In addition, the cost to lobby congress on this matter is no easy budget to formulate, and it is difficult to quantify the cost of education of the public on a national scale. Frankly speaking, OHV access advocates will have to take a page from our successful opponents of OHV use and launch a propaganda campaign in order to stop base expansion.
We can start the education process today, by engaging in support of HR1581, and I strongly suggest we join the discussion on how best we can move this bill through Congress. Congressman McCarthy has invited grassroots organizations to engage in idea building, information sharing, and strategic partnerships. The time has come for OHV users to answer his call to arms, and consider the future of our rights as more than just OHV users, but as citizens of the Western United States of America.

Who actually owns the West?

• The 2004 final Federal Property Profile reports, 579,436,161.30 acres are owned by the Federal Government.
• When you calculate the percentage of property owned by the federal Government you will find startling answers. 54.9% of the property in the western states is federally owned.
• This does not include any State owned Property.
• Why does the Federal Government own more than half of the Western States? A bigger question might be why is a large and growing portion of it restricted from the publics use?
• Perhaps the question every American should be asking is what is being used as collateral for our enormous foreign debt?
• Is it possible that Foreign lien holders could be using the larger part of the Western states as security for its loans? And will they be as concerned about the protection of its resources if they call the note?

http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/ogp/Annual_Report__FY2004_Final_R2M-n11_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf

Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?

There are no shortages of complaints on social media today about the state of affairs in our country. Be it public lands access, the national debt, immigration, or gun control. We are virtually inundated with posts about the President on an hourly basis. BUT How many of you will actually do something about it?

A Fixed Election For Hayes?

Sure you vote, or at least I hope you do, but there is a whole lot more that needs to happen in this country if you really care about the future of this great nation. There are many times this country has been faced with challenges that should have broken the will of free men and woman in our short history. 

I'll Drink To Mistakes!

One only need look at Reconstruction, the Volstead act, or Japanese internment camps to see we don’t always get it right. In fact we often get it wrong. Henry Ford is responsible for my favorite quote. 

“ Failure is the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.”

So what are you doing about our problems? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

That Can't Happen Here?

Last year I set out to meet as many Legislators as possible in an attempt to Save the Johnson Valley OHV area. I wanted to educate them on an area, few of them knew anything about. What I learned was perhaps the greatest civic lesson in my life.

Believe it or not, they are all human.

Guess what?  They all breath the same air, require the same basic items to survive, and have good days and bad days. In most cases they are type A personalities, and have so many things on their plates they can’t keep track of almost anything. They also all need, trusted resources to advise them on matters they no little about.

Let that sink in. They need help. Who better to help them? You, or the guy that hates you?

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mac likes to go off-roading.

Do you know the person who speaks for you in Congress? Better yet, do they know you?

Be the specialist in your field, be the resource your Legislator looks to in a time when they need answers they can trust.  Be part of the solution. 

The reality is that if we participate in our government, we can shape our future. If we let someone else think for us, we will follow their vision for our future. I like my vision, not necessarily yours.

What Me Worry?

Against my better judgement I have started a Blog.

They don't let crazy people up here.

Mark my words, I am sure I will regret this, but what the hell, you only live once, and maybe my kids won't take this out on me when I am enjoying a hearty diet of cat food.

 "I don't remember saying that?"

" How about we refresh your memory with this Blog post from 25 years ago?"

If you are a grammar Nazi my blog won't be good reading.

I am writing for my own entertainment, and my goal for this blog is simply to make an effort to start writing down some of my random ideas, and begin the long process of recording memories; so that when I am old, my grandkids can read them back to me as a reminder of how cool I thought I was.

Perhaps My grandmother's 90th birthday this week has given me the inspiration to share what a great life I have been blessed with.

"The secret Jeff is to always have fun, we have had a lot of fun, and you should also" said my Grandmother who celebrated with cake, pizza, ice cream, and champagne. Lots of champagne.

She followed up with advice for me to dump that ranch in California, and move my wife to Nevada no matter the cost. When ever Grandma, and Grandpa give advice, you can bet your ass, its the right thing to do. 

Take everything you read here with a grain of salt, with exception; the articles I re-post such as "Common Ground" and  "Who Actually Owns the West" or re-purposed articles from other publications have been well researched and prepared with caution.  This place is not about that.

Key West with me hung over like Hemingway!

This is a place for me to unwind, spin a few tall tales, and enjoy a few long necks for my own personal entertainment. Share with you some of my adventures, and hopefully inspire you to Charge Hard. Enjoy life, its very short.

Common Ground; How The US Marines and OHV Users Can Share Johnson Valley

Common Ground

How the U.S. Marine Corps Can Meet Its Training Objectives Without Expanding Into the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

By Jeff Knoll 

Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area Overview
The Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area, the largest OHV area in the United States, provides a rare opportunity for families to travel via motorized vehicle into the remote backcountry of the California Desert. Johnson Valley was designated an OHV area as part of the 1980 Desert Conservation Plan. Featuring uninterrupted views and unparalleled camping, the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area offers a chance for current and future generations to appreciate the wonder of the outdoors. While motorized recreation remains the most popular form of recreation in Johnson Valley, rock, gem, and mineral collecting, model rocket launching, photography and stargazing are other popular activities.
The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms is seeking to expand its base perimeter by annexing most of the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area. The proposed action requires the approval of the U.S. Congress. If approved, public access to land that has been a popular destination since the late 1950s would be blocked. The expansion of the Marine base presents a number of issues that were not addressed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) approved in February 2013. This document identifies a solution that resolves those conflicts, namely, adopting the USMC’s “Alternative 4” and making three changes: reverse the direction of maneuvers (to west-to-east), have live fire only on Twentynine Palms land, and retain BLM management of the land via special-use permits.
As will be discussed, Alternative 4 provides a balanced solution for achieving the USMC’s training objectives while protecting the economic needs of the local community and land-access needs of OHV enthusiasts. It also provides a common sense financial approach in light of Federal budget deficits.

U.S. Marine Corps Need for Expanded Combat Training
In 2004, the USMC identified the need to train a brigade-level expeditionary force (about 15,000 troops) for less than two months a year. The USMC considered a number of locations across the United States, but ultimately settled on Southern California as presenting the best opportunity to accomplish the goals detailed in the analysis given its proximity to Twentynine Palms and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (MCAS Yuma), Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and the Port of San Diego.
Although Twentynine Palms it is the second largest military base in the world and three-quarters the size of Rhode Island, the USMC calculated that it was not large enough for the training exercises. The USMC considered six different options for expanding the base. It settled on “Alternative 6,” which would take ownership of nearly 147,000 acres of the adjacent Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area (a size larger than the city of Chicago). Nearly 104,000 acres of Johnson Valley would be permanently closed to off-roading. Another 43,000 acres, including the unique terrain known as “Hammers,” would be available for dual-use purposes. However, this land could be closed in the future since munitions from live-fire training could make the area unsafe for recreational use.
The process for selecting Alternative 6 included the preparation of the FEIS. The Secretary of the Navy signed the FEIS Record of Decision on February 12, 2013 (published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2013).
The Marines intend to ask the U.S. Congress to approve a transfer of the BLM land to the USMC within the upcoming 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) is the USMC’s mid-sized war- fighting unit. It consists of about 15,000 troops along with equipment, weapons systems and aircraft. The USMC’s training requirements for the MEB exercises at Twentynine Palms and Johnson Valley include:

• Integrated air and ground maneuver live-fire with optimized freedom of action to the greatest extent practicable considering operational range capabilities and munitions safety requirements.
• 48-72 hours of continuous offensive operations by the three battalion-sized task forces as they converge on a single MEB objective; and
• Independent, offensive maneuver of three battalion task forces abreast and associated air combat element operations, with the three-battalion task forces converging on a single MEB objective.

Alternative 6 Closes OHV Access
The USMC deemed Alternative 6 to be the best available option to meet the minimum requirements of MEB training. Troops would move from east to west and the exercise would culminate in Johnson Valley. The live fire movement of troops is demonstrated in the following diagram with the expansion area represented in red and shared use represented in yellow. (The map represents an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.)

Alternative 6 Fails to Address Impact on Local/OHV Communities

The FEIS does not adequately consider the economic impact of the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area. Its estimated value is placed conservatively at $71 million annually to the local economy, with a BLM-estimate of $262 million for its national economic impact to the OHV industry. Additionally, Alternative 6 would disrupt one of the few open backcountry opportunities available to motorized recreational users and impede the largest OHV competition in the United States, the annual “King of the Hammers” event which attracted over 30,000 participants for ten days in February 2012. (Only in its seventh year, the BLM estimates that over 50,000 people attended the 2013 event.)
Under a provision included in the 2013 Defense Authorization Act (Section 2856 of HR 4310, signed into law January 3, 2013), the USMC was required to submit a report to Congress by April 2, 2013 outlining potential alternatives for sharing the land with the OHV community and thereby addressing potential displacement and economic harm. The USMC issued a report on Feb. 12, 2013 that stated there was no alternative.

In addition to economic and access issues, the FEIS fails to address costs to secure the new base perimeter and to insure public safety. The perimeter that the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center currently shares with the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area is not secured or properly identified, with base incursion being a regular problem.
A lack of planning for security coupled with the fact that the area has been used regularly for over 50 years presents a
recipe for disaster, including potential legal liability issues. Furthermore, management of the shared portion of the proposal has not been clearly defined. For example:

• Will the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) be tasked with management of the recreational opportunities or will the Marine Corps assume this additional responsibility?
• Which agency will assume enforcement in this area and which budget will carry the burden: BLM, Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, Military Police?
• No fencing or perimeter security is identified in the FEIS.
• The BLM currently realizes a financial gain from 42 annual events it hosts under Special Recreational Permits. This loss of income or how it will affect BLM personnel staffing or budgets has not been addressed in the FEIS.

How do you secure this perimeter after 50 years?

SOLUTION

Alternative 4 Provides Access for OHVs & Training Exercises
The annual King of the Hammers event attracts over 30,000 participants for 10 days during the month of February, a number that continues to rapidly grow each year. The event is staged under a BLM Special Recreation Permit. It generates a significant source of income for the BLM, the Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and the local economy.

The 2013 King of the Hammers attracted over 30,000 participants under BLM Permit for 10 days.

If the private sector has the ability to manage an event of this size in partnership with the BLM, cannot the U.S. Marine Corps accomplish its goals in a similar manner?
The USMC proposed Alternative 4 as one of its six options. It provides the key for providing access to the land by all interested parties.

As outlined in the FEIS, Alternative 4 demonstrates that if the Marine Corps reverses its logistical plan from an east-to-west movement to a west-to-east movement (see map below), the early stages of the training exercise could be practiced without live fire. Therefore, a BLM partnership would ensure practical use of public lands. Live fire training could begin when the training exercises reaches the current base perimeter.
This approach would allow three battalions to train simultaneously under a BLM permit and meet all objectives outlined in the 2004 MEB training analysis. Under a BLM Permit the area could be expanded to include an even larger footprint than currently requested by the FEIS, allowing greater flexibility in future training. Leaders of the California Motorized Recreation Council would be available to work with the USMC to create an educational program to inform the OHV community of training exercises and also help secure the perimeter during permitted exercises.
There are ample precedents in which the military has leased land from other federal agencies. For example, the Marine Corps has a permit from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for 46,000 acres of USFS-managed land near Bridgeport, California for its mountain warfare training center. The Oregon Military Department has a 30-year lease with the BLM for 31,300 acres of BLM-managed land near Bend, Oregon.

The permit approach allows the Marine Corps to:

• Meet its training needs
• Train without the expense of base expansion
• Balance the fragile economy of the local community
• Ensure public safety
• Allow continued OHV access to an already severely restricted California desert
• Continue its protective buffer zone between live fire and citizens of the surrounding area
• Partner with the OHV community to secure the base perimeter
• Keep land management in the hands of the BLM
• Work within current and future federal budget constraints

With federal budget cuts threatening our military forces, it remains unclear if the USMC will be in a position to acquire and manage the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area, let alone field the troops for training exercises. Nevertheless, the OHV community has worked tirelessly to develop a solution that addresses the needs of the military, along with the local and OHV communities. The OHV community stands ready to work in partnership with the USMC to implement the solution.

Save Johnson Valley Coalition
The California Motorized Recreation Council (CMRC) is the umbrella organization for the eight largest OHV groups in California. The following groups are represented in the effort to save OHV access to Johnson Valley.

• American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
• AMA District 36
• AMA District 37
• American Sand Association (ASA)
• California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA)
• California Association of 4Wheel Drive Clubs
• California Nevada Snowmobile Association (CNSA)
• Off-Road Business Association (ORBA)

The CMRC has been joined in the “Save Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area” effort by a number of other organizations including the Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA), Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

By Jeff Knoll March, 2013 http://plus.google.com/114658245237966792167/?rel=author