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Wednesday, February 15, 2012 |
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Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan Update
Get Involved: We want to hear from you Presidents Day weekend and online!
California State Parks will be holding a mobile workshop on February 18th and February 19th as part of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan Update. The purpose of these workshops is to share work that has already been completed for the General Plan Update and to collect your input on draft goals to be included in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan. More Information
Saturday Morning: Ocotillo Wells SVRA Discovery Center
February 18th, 2012, 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Saturday Evening: Truckhaven 4x4 Training Area
February 18th, 2012, 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning: North Marina Drive
February 19th, 2012, 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Saturday Morning: Holmes Camp
February 19th, 2012, 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
New Video about Ocotillo Wells SVRA
What is a General Plan? What does it mean for Ocotillo Wells SVRA? Watch the short video to find out more about the Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan Update.
www.PlanOcotilloWells.com/video
You Spoke, We Listened
Working Paper #1 provides a summary of the various public outreach activities over the past 2 years as part of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan Update.
Starting February 22, you can participate online. Whether or not you participate in the mobile workshop, you can still provide input on the draft goals for the Ocotillo Wells SVRA General Plan
Update. Starting February 22, 2012 you can visit:
www.PlanOcotilloWells.com
to provide your input using an online exercise that is similar to the mobile workshops. The online exercise will be available for you to provide input until March 21, 2012.
Go to: www.PlanOcotilloWells.com for more information on the General Plan and EIR process.
Project Contact:
Tina Robinson
General Plan Project Manager
(760) 767-1302 or (760) 315-2845
trobinson@parks.ca.gov
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Friday, January 6, 2012 |
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West Mojave Desert Routes Meetings
Public Meetings Scheduled to Address West Mojave Desert Routes of Travel Designations.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled eight public scoping meetings to gather public comments and recommendations on the preparation of environmental assessments for eight travel management areas within the West Mojave Planning Area. These eight travel management areas are identified on the attached map, and each one will be a focus of one of the eight meetings. This information will be used to compile travel management area information and develop preliminary route network alternatives for the West Mojave planning area.
Barstow meetings: Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311
Thursday, Jan. 26. TMA 3: Juniper, Rattlesnake, Morongo, Wonder Valley and Joshua Tree signing sub-regions
Thursday, Feb. 9. TMA 5: WEMO North Barstow Desert Wildlife Management Area signing sub-regions north of I-15 and SR 58
Tuesday, Feb. 14. TMA 6: El Mirage (including Edwards Bowl area), Fremont, and Iron Mountains signing sub-regions south of SR 58
Tuesday, Feb. 21. TMA 8: Lands adjacent to Stoddard and Johnson OHV Areas, and other signing sub-regions south of I-40 and north of SR 247 including east of Interstate I-15
Ridgecrest meetings: Kerr-McGee Bldg, 100 West California Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
Wednesday, Jan. 18. TMA 2: Sierras, Darwin, and North and South Searles signing sub-regions
Monday, Feb. 6. TMA 4: Jawbone, Middle Knob and Lancaster signing sub-regions
Thursday, Feb. 16. TMA 7: Ridgecrest, El Paso, Rands and Red Mtn signing sub-regions
All scoping meetings are from 4 to 7 p.m. and include a presentation and an open-house opportunity to review maps and provide route-specific and location-specific comments to the BLM. The public is encouraged to attend the travel management plan meetings to assure that comments are accurately captured, including location, route or site identification, specific issues, and rationale. You may also provide written comments.
The areas addressed in each of the eight travel management meetings are identified on the map here:
Maps of areas
Area residents and other public interested in the public lands and the area public lands route network are encouraged to attend. Public input relative to local area knowledge, issues and opportunities, including route access changes, are needed.
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Friday, December 23, 2011 |
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Letter Sent to the Governor
On December 23rd CORVA along with other organizations and groups sent a letter to Governor Brown over his decision to terminate the appointment of Daphne Greene. Without Ms. Greene, we fear the Off-Highway Division of State Parks will be unable to maintain the existing, albeit limited, recreational opportunities relied upon by many middle class families.
Governor Jerry Brown's appointee has not yet been announced, but the decision could have long lasting negative effects for off road access, including the loss for family recreation throughout California at all the State Vehicle Recreation Areas (SVRA) located statewide.
Read the letter here:
Governor Brown letter
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Monday, December 12, 2011 |
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Trouble in Sacramento!
Governor Brown has terminated the appointment of Daphne Greene, who has served as Deputy Director of the OHV Division of State Parks effective January 1, 2012. Governor Jerry Brown's appointee has not yet been announced, but the decision could have long lasting negative effects for off road access, including the loss for family recreation throughout California at all the State Vehicle Recreation Areas (SVRA) located statewide. The State's OHMVR trust fund has been in peril since the state siphoned $10 million received from the gas tax from its budget before it could reach the trust earlier this year, and plans for a continued removal of those funds will continue indefinitely.
The State has a long history of borrowing millions from the OHMVR trust every year, monies that are needed for acquisitions and improvements. The California OHMVR program's annual budget of $85 million comes from primarily gas tax revenues with only about 20% coming from the Green/Red Sticker Program. With the loss of Daphne Greene - a longtime strong OHV ally - all the OHV programs - both the SVRA programs and the Grant Programs - stand to be eliminated. Jerry Brown has not been a supporter of any OHV programs and seeks to aide his ailing budget by closing the entire OHV program.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Call, write or email your STATE Senator and Legislator immediately. Tell them how important the California Off Highway Vehicle programs are to you and your family. Mention the State facilities and areas that you use and how important they are to your family, or business if that applies.
2. Write, call or email Governor Jerry Brown with the same information. Express how Daphne Greene was a champion for the off road access community. (We will NOT change the fact that she has lost her job, but he may consider replacing her with someone who will look favorably on the OHV programs.)
3. Be prepared for CORVA to lead a legal challenge in case we have to force the State to abide by the law, and keep the OHV programs going.
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Saturday, November 19, 2011 |
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Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan (RMP)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office has scheduled two public meetings on the Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan (RMP) which was released for public review and comment on September 23, 2011.
Public meetings will be held on November 29, 2011, at the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, 14715 State Hwy 94 (Campo Road), Jamul, 91935 and on November 30, 2011, at the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th Street, Old Town Temecula, 92590. Meetings will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The meetings will be conducted in "open house" format with a presentation on the alternatives presented in the Draft RMP and an opportunity for the public to view maps and other sections of the Draft RMP. Copies of the Draft RMP will be available, along with the opportunity to ask managers and planning specialists questions about the alternatives. All comments must be in writing and submitted prior to the close of the 90-day comment period on December 21, 2011.
The Draft South Coast Resource Management Plan (RMP) Revision and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will provide guidance for the management of approximately 300,000 acres of BLM administered public lands in portions of five highly urbanized Southern California counties: San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles.
The public is invited to submit comments on the Draft RMP/EIS prior to December 21, 2011, by email to: capsscrmp@ca.blm.gov or by mail to: BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
Copies of the Draft South Coast RMP Revision and Draft EIS are available for review at the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, address above; the California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553; at the California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, and via the Internet at:
www.blm.gov/ca/palmsprings
Electronic (CD-ROM) or paper copies and further information may also be obtained by contacting Greg Hill, BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; (760) 833-7140; or email to: Greg_Hill@blm.gov
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011 |
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California Off-Road News and Updates
Sometime we just don't have the space here to list all those areas that our organization is currently working. Well Amy Granat, CORVA Managing Director, put together a 5 page report and would like you to read it.
October Report
This report covers the whole state, what is happening and how YOU can help. You can always help by making a donation to help keep us on the ground and running.
Do that by click here:
Donate to CORVA
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Monday, October 24, 2011 |
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BLM Announces Public Meeting on Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Fees
Comments on Imperial Sand Dunes recreation fees are invited at a public meeting in El Centro on Thursday, Nov. 3rd at 9 a.m. The forum will be a regularly scheduled meeting of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Desert Advisory Council Sub Group, and will be held at the Bureau of Land Management El Centro Field Office, 1661 S. 4th St., El Centro, CA 92243.
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011 |
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West Mojave Planning Area
BLM Announces Intent to Prepare Environmental Assessment of
Motorized Vehicle Management in West Mojave Planning Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California Desert District, announced its intent to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze a proposed plan amendment and alternatives covering the management of motorized vehicles on public lands in the West Mojave (WEMO) area.
A Notice of Intent to prepare the plan for areas in Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties published in the Federal Register today.
By this Notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments on:
(1) issues related to plan decisions which will guide the management of motorized vehicle access in the WEMO plan area;
(2) process and decision criteria to be used during plan implementation to designate routes;
(3) issues and concerns within each subregion;
(4) additional issues cited by the January 28, 2011 Court Order including special status species,
vegetation communities (including unique plant assemblages), special area designations, air
quality, cultural resources, soils, springs and seeps and Mojave fringe-toed lizard habitat; and
(5) the “bundling of analysis areas” for route designation.
A lawsuit was filed by a variety of Plaintiffs challenging the BLM’s Record of Decision (ROD) for the 2006 WEMO Plan. On January 28, 2011, the Court issued an Order-Remedy and remanded the 2006 WEMO ROD to the BLM and, in part, directed the BLM to amend the plan and to reconsider route designations. The court required that a revised decision for the WEMO route designation be completed by March 31, 2014.
Two BLM public scoping meetings will be held: one in Ridgecrest and one in Barstow. Details on the public scoping meetings are provided below. Any additional public meetings will be announced through the local news media, newspapers, mailings, and at the BLM web page:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html
at least 15 days prior to the event.
September 27, 2011: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm September 29, 2011: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Kerr McGee Center Hampton Inn
100 W. California Ave. 2710 Lenwood Road
Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Barstow, California 92311
(760) 499-5151 (760) 253-2600
The public may submit comments on issues and planning criteria related to the WEMO EA for the
Motorized Vehicle Access Element, by any of the following methods:
1) Email: cawemopa@blm.gov
3) Fax: (951) 697-5299
4) Mail: ATTN: Alan Stein, BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553-9046
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the California Desert District Office, address above, or the BLM’s California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. For further information contact: Alan Stein, (951) 697-5382.
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011 |
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Oceano Dunes - A Call To Action
When Friends of Oceano Dunes started over 10 years ago, it was because there is an active body of people who will stop at no lengths to close the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (ODSVRA). They try to use any argument, Plovers, Kids Safety, trash, congestion and now dust (PM10 particulate).
I am now reaching out once again to ask that you attend a meeting to show your support of the Oceano Dunes. On Wednesday, September 28th the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will be meeting to discuss imposing new rules and regulations which could have very drastic impacts to the continued use of the Oceano Dunes.
The details of the meeting will be posted on the APCD website here:
http://www.slocleanair.org/who/meetings.php
There are many experts who have reviewed the APCD reports and have found issues with how the data was collected, how the data was manipulated and how the APCD reached it's conclusions. The radical environmental community has grabbed hold of this story and is using it to try and advance their agenda...see the recent article below to see what they are thinking and what they will be asking for.
Please reach out and ask your friends to join you in attending this very important meeting. It is very important!
Please contact the local businesses and remind them the importance of attending and let their voices be heard.
Please post this on message boards and email it to your friends,
We really need your support and attendance at this meeting. Come speak about your concerns about the rush to judgment by the APCD and your concerns that your recreational opportunity may be severely impacted.
Sincerely,
Jim Suty - President, Friends of Oceano Dunes
www.oceanodunes.org
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Monday, September 12, 2011 |
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CORVA Needs Help With Legal Issues
Calling all lawyers, paralegals, students in law school - CORVA needs help with legal issues that only you can provide. We have ongoing legal issues and new issues arising that we would like to pursue aggressively, but need your legal skills. Please contact Amy at: amy.granat@corva.org for more information.
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Friday, September 2, 2011 |
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WE WANT YOUR OFF-ROADING PHOTOS!
Do you ride, drive, or snowmobile? Maybe you have buggy or sandrail? CORVA wants to celebrate off-roading by featuring your photos on our website and in our monthly newsletter, Off-Roaders In Action (ORIA).
Send us your photos (along with your name and permission to publish) to info@corva.org and the keep looking on our website and newsletter to see your photos on our pages.
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Friday, September 2, 2011 |
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GAO REPORT ON EPA LITIGATION
MILLIONAIRE ENVIRONMENT GROUPS TAKE MILLIONS IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS FROM EPA LITIGATION
Based on a snapshot of the Environmental Protection AgencyĆŌ (EPA) litigation over the past couple of years, environmental groups (ENGOs) profited more than any other plaintiff, including industry, from attorneyĆŌ fees paid from environmental litigation against EPA.
GAO uncovered a troubling lack of transparency and accountability in record keeping regarding environmental litigation expenses from EPA cases.
Read the report here:
GAO Report On Litigation
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Friday, September 2, 2011 |
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Help Stamp Out Bias Against Off-Road Recreationists
Attention: motorized recreation enthusiasts who enjoy recreating in the forests in California. The Forest Service wants to know about your experiences and contacts with Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers.
In an ongoing effort to address problems occurring in all California National Forests, please write down your experiences, both good and bad so everyone can make sure riding and driving in the California forests is a positive experience.
Documented issues that arise will be investigated and resolved. Please send all letters to:
*Law Enforcement Officer Task Force Lead. ENF, Patrol Captain Frank Aguilar at: faguilar@fs.fed.us
*cc; Amy Granat, Managing Director of CA Off-Road Vehicle Association at: amy.granat@corva.org
The contact’s are good for all of the National Forests in California (Region 5)
*and for Eldorado National Forest issues, Sheriff John D’Agostini would like to be advised also.
cc; John D'Agostini, El Dorado County Sheriff at: john.dagostini@edso.org
Please contact your local Sheriff with this information. As all county Sheriff’s need to be in the loop.
This is a step towards making your visit to the National Forests in California a very pleasant one, regardless of your choice of motorized or non-motorized recreation. Please pass this information along to all you friends, club members, and fellow off-roaders.
Thank you
Amy Granat – CORVA
Jerry Reffner - Friends of the Rubicon
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011 |
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Notice of Desert Advisory Council Meeting
On September 10th there will be a California Desert Advisory Council (DAC) meeting in Barstow, California. The focus of this meeting will be user fees. The DAC will be taking public comments on the following topics associated with user fees.
• What's working and what needs improvement for the BLM's user fee policies in the California Desert?
• What feedback does the DAC have about current fee schedules and any proposed changes?
• What are the suggestions for ways that BLM can communicate and administer fees more effectively?
Comments on how the program could be changed and improved to be more effect will be helpful to the DAC members , such things as:
• Desire for a second vehicle permit
• Desire for a daily permit fee
• Better notices of fee program details
• Advanced notices of fee changes
• Reports of where the fee revenue is spent
You may address the DAC in person, at this meeting, or you may provide your comments in writing to the California Desert District BLM office at:
c/o Bureau of Land Management
External Affairs
22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Information on the location of the Barstow meeting and field office reports are available on the DAC website at:
DAC website - CLICK HERE
The information provided to the DAC will help the DAC members better understand the public's concerns and recommendations for changes to the user fee programs at recreation areas in the California desert.
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Saturday, August 13, 2011 |
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Public Scoping Meeting - Tuesday Night - August 16th - Ontario
Public Scoping Meeting to Discuss
Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
August 16, 2011, Ontario, California
What:
Attend the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) public scoping meeting to learn first-hand how it will impact recreation and other activities on BLM-managed land in the California Desert. The DRECP will establish where and how hundreds of thousands of acres will be set aside for conservation purposes to mitigate the environmental impacts from the vast array of renewable energy projects that will be located in the desert regions. The areas where people have traditionally recreated for generations are being targeted for new conservation measures and restrictions.
The DRECP is being developed by the California Energy Commission (CEC), California Department of Fish & Game (DFG), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The August 16 meeting will address the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the DRECP as well as the Bureau of Land Management's proposed amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan to incorporate the changes the DRECP will require.
The format of the meeting will consist of a PowerPoint presentation followed by an Open House with breakouts for questions and answers. Unfortunately only written comments will be accepted at the scoping meeting even though it is the only one scheduled for southern California. Please bring your written comment or be ready to fill out a comment form at the meeting.
Why should I attend?
The DRECP's planners must hear about your activities in the desert so they can fully consider the possible impacts the conservation plan will have on them. The DRECP will not only affect OHV and 4WD driving, but also the following recreational activities dependent on motorized access identified by the planners including Camping, Backcountry touring, Gem and mineral collecting, Hunting, Hiking and backpacking, Bicycling, Model rockets and planes, Star gazing, History seeking, Wildlife watching, Cultural site stewardship, Photography, Collecting and trapping, Rock climbing, Equestrian staging, Solitude Seeking, Geocashing, Sport shooting, Educational enhancement, Scientific research, Guzzler maintenance.
When & Where:
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Doubletree Ontario Hotel,
Lake Gregory Ballroom
222 N. Vineyard Ave.
Ontario, CA 91764
To learn about the DRECP and for additional information,
CLICK HERE
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Thursday, August 4, 2011 |
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CORVA Needs Your Help!
CORVA needs your help to combat the State Water Resources Control Board. The California State Water Resources Control Board has released a draft waiver and new draft Best Management Practices handbook to force the Forest Service to adhere to a myriad of rules and regulations to have motorized events occur on Forest Service land - all 17 forests in California. CORVA thinks these rules are biased and unfair and targets all who travel on forested roads and trails. CORVA has hired an attorney that specializes in water board policies to go through this document and submit comments on the draft procedures representing CORVA and all the other partners joining us in these efforts.
THE DUE DATE HAS PASSED - MANY AFFIDAVITS WERE SENT IN - THANKS !!!
Secondly, we need affidavits from all those that would be affected should these new regulations become public. If you ride or drive an OHV in California and want to keep enjoying your forests, please fill out the affidavit below, and pass it on to your friends and neighbors that want to support your right to access. Either fax it back to: 509-275-4744, scan it and then send it to: amy.granat@corva.org or mail a hard copy to Amy Granat, PO BOX 298, Clarksburg, CA 95612.
And we always need your help and monetary support - nothing happens without money in California.
This takes a little more than the normal effort, but here are the directions:
1. Download this affidavit: Affidavit (PDF format)
2. Print it and sign it
3. Send it to Amy Granat who will deliver all of them for us to the water board.
You can do that one of three ways:
1. Mail it to PO BOX 298, Clarksburg CA 95612
2. Scan it after you sign it and e-mail it to: amy.granat@corva.org
3. Fax it to: 509-275-4744
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011 |
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CORVA Puts Together Coalition
Joined by the Rubicon Trail Foundation, Sierra Access Coalition and Stewards of the Sequoia, CORVA has put together a coalition to hire Jesse Barton, Esq. to write professional comments on the new draft Forest Service Waiver issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Every club, group and organization is welcome to join our coalition, and every donation is welcome, no matter how big or how small. The important part is to submit the best comments possible, and empower every motorized recreation enthusiast. Together we can make a difference.
Download copies of the documents here:
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/nps/wqmp_forests.shtml
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011 |
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CORVA Southern Regional Board Meeting
Get ready to load up your rig and grab the sunscreen for the next Southern Board meeting on Sunday, July 24, 2011. During the June 1st Southern Board call, the group decided to hold its next meeting at the Azusa Canyon OHV Area. This OHV area includes water crossings, rocks, dirt roads and sand hills. These are some of the most challenging experiences and terrain you'll find in Azusa Canyon. Mike Bishop, President of the Azusa Canyon Off Road Association (A.C.O.R.A.), tells me that the obstacle course might even be ready by the 24th, so you can really test your driving skills and prowess.
Plan on being there around 10:00 a.m., as the meting will begin shortly thereafter. Following official board business we will enjoy a BBQ lunch and spend some time playing in the canyon (thanks to Mike Bishop for his offer to bring some barbecues for the meeting!). The link to the A.C.O.R.A website with information and pictures of the Azusa Canyon OHV Area is:
http://www.acorausa.com
I look forward to seeing everyone there.
Clayton Miller - Southern Regional Director
Here is some general information about the Azusa Canyon OHV Area from:
http://ohvguide.com/maps/azusacanyon.htm
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011 |
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CORVA Hires A Managing Director
At the annual meeting in May a proposal was offered, a motion was made, and we had our very first
official Managing Director. Amy Granat, our Northern Director for the past few years, will be
leading our organization into the future. Amy stated, “Advocating on behalf of off-road and
motorized recreational access has become a passion. I am dedicated to making a difference,
helping to turn the tide of massive road and trail closures and continuing the history of CORVA
as a strong political advocacy organization fighting for your OHV access. CORVA represents
everyone who uses and enjoys off-road access, whether off-roader, hunter, equestrian or
rockhounder, we support your right to enjoy public lands. My goal is to galvanize our CORVA members in a ongoing effort to combat closures through strong political advocacy, relationships with local land managers and education of the issues. CORVA, as the only statewide organization that represents all types of off-road recreation, asks that everyone join me and the
Board of Directors of CORVA as members, united as we fight for our motorized rights.”
Our organization is over 40 years old, and we felt it was time to take the next step, having someone to manage, monitor and guide the workings of our primarily volunteer organization. Amy will be assessing and monitoring the programs and functions that make our organization tick. As you know, volunteer time is just that, when you can find the time to help. Those of us that work and have family obligations to attend to, don’t always have the time needed to volunteer on a regular basis. We hope you can find a little time and join a committee, work at a show, in the booth, or at an event. Each member makes a difference as we continue to strive for equal access to our public lands. To contribute, contact Amy at: amy.granat@corva.org
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Saturday, May 21, 2011 |
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UPDATE: Johnson Valley and the Marine Corps Base Expansion
Johnson Valley and the Marine Corps Base Expansion
Written Comments on Draft Plan Due May 26, 2011
Less than one week left to have your voice heard and to act!
1. May 26, 2011 Comment Deadline!
All written comments on the proposed Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base expansion must be postmarked or received by Thursday,
May 26, 2011 to be considered in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Written comments may be submitted via the Marine Corps website at:
http://www.marines.mil/unit/29palms/las
or mailed to the CORRECT mailing address:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest
ATTN: 29Palms EIS Project Manager
1220 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92132-519
Information related to the EIS is available on the project website at:
http://www.marines.mil/unit/29palms/las
2. The Marines goofed! Send in Comments AND Request 60 day extension!
When preparing the website and public documents for the Twentynine Palms Marine Base proposed expansion, the Marines neglected to give the correct mailing address for public comments on the home page of the website, and it is missing from all the public documents including:
1. The Project Briefing Paper
2. The Project Overview
3. The Public Info Brief
4. The Trifold Brochure
5. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
6. The Contact
7. The Public Comment Link on the home page
Instead, the contact info is given only for the project office on the 29 Palms Marine Base.
The Project Manager, Mr. Chris Proudfoot, has been made aware of this problem, and has not responded to requests for an extension, and an investigation to find out how many public comments have been sent to the wrong address, what has been done with those
comments, and what can be done to rectify a mistake that has existed since the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
NEPA requires and encourages public comment, and the Marines have not given the public the information needed to send in their comments. EVERYONE - send a message to the Marines politely requesting a 60 day extension of the comment period during
which time they are to conduct an investigation and good faith effort to find out how many comments were submitted to the wrong address. This is a major NEPA violation, and they must rectify this mistake.
Please contact immediately: Chris Proudfoot, Project Manager, at
(760) 830-3764 and leave a message asking for a 60 day extension, or email: SMBPLMSWEBPAO@usmc.mil or do both! PLEASE ACT NOW!!
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Monday, March 14, 2011 |
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Forest Services Releases Draft of Proposed New Forest Planning Rule
The U.S. Forest Service has released the Draft of the new Forest Planning Rule which governs how the agency develops Forest Plans. The agency announced the 90-day public comment period ends May 16, 2011. The USFS press release is here.
USDA HOME
The "Final" Draft Rule was published in the Federal Register. The Draft Rule and other information is available on the USFS Planning Rule "web portal" here.
USDA WEB PORTAL
The agency has yet to release the Draft Environmental Impact Statement associated with the Draft Rule. The Forest Service has not indicated when that would be available.
The proposed Planning Rule is lengthy and follows decades of controversy and litigation over similar efforts. CORVA will be carefully reviewing the Draft Rule and other information as the agency makes it available. We will have analysis of the Rule and its potential impacts on recreation.
The Agency is hosting public forums held throughout the country during the comment period. (Those in California see schedule below.)
DRAFT Schedule of 2011 Public Meetings for the Forest Service Proposed Planning Rule. Information for the meetings is subject to change, and any missing information will be updated as it is confirmed.
Regional Roundtable for the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5)
All meetings on Monday, March 21, 2011 from 9am to 12.
Wildland Fire Training & Conference Center
3237 Peacekeeper Way
McClellan, CA 95652
Angeles National Forest
Forest Supervisor's Office
701 N Santa Anita Ave
Arcadia, CA 91006
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Forest Supervisor's Office
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002
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