Johnson Valley Marine Corps Expansion

Saw this over at DR a couple days ago.

Marine Corps Base Expansion Draft EIS Available for Public Review and Three Public Meetings Scheduled

29PALMS TRAINING LAND ACQUISITION/AIRSPACE ESTABLISHMENT DRAFT EIS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW:
U.S. MARINE CORPS INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Department of the Navy, on behalf of the Marine Corps, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 29 Palms Training Land Acquisition/Airspace Establishment Study. Potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed expansion of the training range at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (“Combat Center”) at Twentynine Palms, Calif., are evaluated in the Draft EIS. This proposed action would accommodate sustained, combined-arms, live-fire and maneuver training exercises for all elements of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB). The Department of the Navy has prepared the Draft EIS in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and Federal Aviation Administration.

The Marine Corps will hold three informational open house style public meetings to inform the public about the proposed action and the alternatives under consideration, and to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed action, alternatives, and the adequacy and accuracy of the Draft EIS. There will not be a formal presentation; however, Marine Corps representatives will be on hand to discuss and answer questions on the proposed action, the NEPA process and the findings presented in the Draft EIS. Public open house meetings will be held:


Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Copper Mountain College
Bell Center Gym
6162 Rotary Way
Joshua Tree, Calif.

Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Ontario High School Gym
901 W. Francis St.
Ontario, Calif.

Date: Thursday, April 14, 2011
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
Mirage/Sahara Conference Center
12603 Mariposa Road
Victorville, Calif.


The proposed action is needed because current Marine Corps training bases, facilities, ranges, and live-fire ground and air maneuver areas are inadequate to support MEB-sized training exercises. Changes in MEB training requirements call for more military range land and airspace than is now available anywhere in the United States. The Center for Naval Analyses studied locations nationwide and concluded that the Combat Center is the only location with sufficient land and airspace potential to meet MEB training requirements.

The Combat Center is the Marine Corps’ service-level training facility for Marine Air Ground Task Force training. More than 90 percent of Marines deploying to combat receive pre-deployment training at the Combat Center.

To download a copy of the EIS or to find the locations of information repositories where hard copies are available for review, please visit Land Acquisition/Airspace Establishment Study

Comments may be submitted at a public meeting or in writing. A stenographer will be available for those wanting to submit an oral comment at the meeting. All written comments must be postmarked or received by May 26, 2011, to be considered in the Final EIS. Written comments may be submitted via the website at Land Acquisition/Airspace Establishment Study or mailed to:

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:
Land Acquisition/Airspace Establishment Study

Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California 92278 (760) 830-3760 Fax: (760) 830-5474


CORVA

 

They have been talking about doing that for a while

 

Yes they have and the offroaders stood up for what they wanted. But there at it again. We just need to fight to keep that area open. Before we know it we will loose all our offroad areas if we don't stand up and fight to keep these areas open.