IMPORTANT: Notices in local news gave wrong information on the meetings in Twentynine Palms. There will be ONLY ONE MEETING in Twentynine, from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23. This was confirmed with Stephen Razo, official BLM contact. If you know anyone who is planning on attending that day, please make sure they know the correct time.
The meeting in Twentynine Palms will be at Twentynine Palms Junior High School, 5798 Utah Trail, on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 9 p.m. There will also be two meetings in Victorville on Friday, Oct. 24, at Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Road, from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. See the BLM press release for additional details.
To recap, the lands are being segregated in preparation for beginning the NEPA/CEQA environmental study process. The study lands do include a portion of northern Wonder Valley; a part of Johnson Valley and the OHV area; and lands to the east of the Base, across the dry lake and out towards Cadiz. Both federal and non-federal lands are affected.
Per the official Notice:
The proposal seeks the transfer of jurisdiction and the withdrawal of approximately 365,906 acres of public lands and approximately 507 acres of Federal subsurface mineral estate from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including surface entry, mining, mineral leasing, and the Materials Act of 1947.The public comment period ends December 15. To learn more about the "segregation" process, view the full BLM announcement.
This notice temporarily segregates for two years the public lands and mineral estate described from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the public land laws, including the mining laws, and the operation of the mineral leasing laws and the Materials Act of 1947. In addition, the surface estate of the 507 acres of mineral estate and the surface and mineral estate of an approximately 72,186 acres of other non-federally owned property in the proposed withdrawal area, if they should be acquired by or returned to the United States by any means, would also be included in the proposed withdrawal and subject to the temporary segregation authorized by this notice.
Also, you may view the maps and read more about the plans on the USMC 29 Palms Training Land/Airspace Acquisition Study website.
MORE INFO ON THESE ISSUES: On the Land Use/Development and Communities pages of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Johnson Valley, Marine Base, Wonder Valley.
