The Hammers Needs Your Help Today
Update as of 10/31:
This is an email received from Fred Wiley of the Off Road Business Association today regarding our efforts to educate Feinstein about Johnson Valley.
“Your hard work to save Johnson Valley pays off,
The October 30th, 2013 late afternoon meeting between Senator Feinstein and Congressman Cook was clearly a productive first step towards understanding all of the issues surrounding the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base Expansion. Congressman Cook was able to fully explain the reasoning that went into amended language that is in the current House version of the NDAA. Senator Feinstein listened to that reasoning and agreed that there needs to be further review.
It is important to know that your effort in contacting Legislators is paramount in this ongoing process. For now we should suspend our efforts to contact Senator Feinstein. You have been successful; we no doubt will have to do this again, so stay prepared for the next round in our ongoing effort to Save The Hammers. This fight is far from over and will continue to the bitter end. Through the massive efforts of the OHV community, the leadership of our California Motorized Recreation Council and the professional guidance of the Livingston Group in Washington DC, we continue to engage in balancing the needs of all parties.
Thanks you for your ongoing support to protect Johnson Valley”
Friends,
I will try to be brief as I know we are all very busy. The process to save our public land has been moving through the Political Machine. We have tried hard to keep from ‘crying wolf’ and calling for action like this too often. Now is the time.
Congressman Paul Cook introduced legislation that met the Marine Corps Training needs and retained public access to the entirety of Johnson Valley. It was a modified version of the Marine Corps Alternative Four and the result will be The Johnson Valley National OHV Area. It went unopposed in the House of Representatives and is now part of the National Defense Authorization Act awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
Senator Dianne Feinstein is considering re-submitting Alternative Six through the Senate Arms Committee. This will take away the majority of Johnson Valley forever.
It is time to have our voices heard.
There may be other similar opportunities in the near future to support this cause. We are in the final weeks of this process. Please take the time to act.
Call and write to Senator Dianne Feinstein urging her to support the existing Alternative Four (also known as the Cook/McKeon Compromise) and DO NOT offer a conflicting proposal.
State Office: (415) 393-0707
Washington Office: (202) 224-3841
LA Office: (310) 914-7300
San Diego Office: (619) 231-9712
Fresno Office: (559) 485-7430
Email Link https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me
Below are links to both talking points and the letter that I submitted. Please use your own words. We, as a group, made a difference before, we will again. Without your letter, we could lose this fight. Save the text you send her in your email as we may look to resubmit that in printed form as well (more on that later).
Link to my letter to Senator Feinstein
Link to talking points to use in your phone calls and emails
This is not just about off-roading. We are supporting our neighbors in the High Desert Area. Every surrounding town council joined the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Congressmen Cook, McCarthy, and McKeon in opposing Alternative Six.
Thank you for your time, please share this with anyone and everyone. In the near future we may be asking to reach out to other politicians so stay tuned and together we WILL be heard. Contact Senator Feinstein TODAY. Urge her to support the Cook/Mckeon compromise (also known as Alternative 4).
Sincerest Regards,
Dave Cole
on behalf of the California Motorized Recreation Council