- - - 2009 Ride Appreciation Event- - - Saturday December 12, 2009 Prospectors Camp Spangler Hills OHV Click here for Flyer and more info ~Even though the scoping period is closed check this site regularly for updates!~ Read below to understand the process We are at risk of losing the Johnson Valley OHV Area The Marine Base at Twentynine Palms is considering expanding because they claim to need more room for training purposes. In order for the Marines to expand the base they need to go through the NEPA to analyze the impacts and possible alternatives to their expansion. (see info below) NEPA-National Environmental Policy Act (http://www.epa.gov/oecaerth/basics/nepa.html#process) requires federal agencies, like the Department of the Navy, to analyze the environmental impacts of an action of this type, both natural resource and socio-economic. This will be done through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). (http://www.epa.gov/oecaerth/basics/nepa.html#eis) The Department of the Navy published a Notice Of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on October 30, 2008 for the proposed acquisition of lands and establishment of airspace contiguous to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA. This notice started the 90 day scoping period. District 37, it’s partner organizations, and our legal counsel, EcoLogic Partners, Inc. all submitted comments. In addition D37 members were provided a template letter for their own personal use to submit comments. The scoping period ended January 31, 2009. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process The first step in the EIS process is called scoping. The scoping process is where the lead agency, in this case the Department of the Navy, takes comment from the public, other government agencies and non-government agencies on what should be studied in the EIS. For example, we would like the EIS to study an eastward expansion of the Marine base or we would like the EIS to study whether this expansion is actually needed. In the EIS process there are three opportunities for public input. Proposed Expansion Timeline 2009 – January 31. Scoping Period Ends Donate to AMA D37’s Legal Defense Fund AMA D37’s Legal Defense Fund was formed to protect public lands for OHV recreation. The money in that fund is raised by the members of D37 through additional fees charged for race entry. This money is used to fund D37’s membership in EcoLogic Partners, Inc. EcoLogic Partners Inc (http://www.ecologicpartners.com/). EcoLogic Partners Inc was formed to advance land use policies that conserve natural resources while providing for responsible outdoor recreation for American families. Currently the American Sand Association (ASA), the American Motorcyclist Association, District 37 (AMA D37), the San Diego Off-Road Coalition (SDORC) and the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) are the organizations supporting EcoLogic. EcoLogic funds legal counsel to protect the rights of OHV recreationists. In the case of the proposed Marine expansion into the Johnson Valley OHV Area EcoLogic’s legal counsel will attend public meetings and make written comments at the appropriate stages during the EIS process. Having an attorney monitor and participate in this process will help the OHV community use it’s voice to help shape the outcome. |
