Friends of Giant Rock Help Us. Help You. To Keep Riding.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long has this acquisition been in the works?

A. The Marine Corps' Requirements Oversight Committee initiated the effort in 2002 by asking for a study to determine what the requirements were for meeting future training requirements. It has been reviewed at various levels within the Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy and the Department of Defense since, receiving validation and confirmation through all echelons.

For more FAQs: http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las/faq.asp

Off-highway vehicle recreation areas in California have shrunk away over the last 30 years, but the biggest and best open riding area has always been in Johnson Valley.
Whether you like to bring the kids and camp for the weekend, enjoying the wide variety of scenic trails; whether you are a rock hound or a wildlife watcher out in your 4WD; whether you are a motorcycle racer or a rock crawler; Johnson Valley has something for everyone who enjoys the desert.

RE: May 9th FOGR meeting – We had a very good turn out and a very informative meeting. Thank you to all of you that took the time to come out and shame on you that did not. The practice of sticking your head in the sand is not going to get it done. Mr. Neil Derry was there and presented his case and plea. Mr Derry is running against Dennis Hansberger for County Supervisor. I am not one to try to tell anyone else what to think or what to do (unless provoked) but I was quite impressed with his demeanor and frankness. It is time for a change!

Chuck

San Bernardino County
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Ordinance #3973
History Comments and Snide Remarks
By Mike

San Bernardino County has had an Off-Highway Vehicle ordinance for nearly 40 years.

Ordinance #1590 was adapted in 1970 to address “MOTORCYCLES AND OFF-THE-ROAD VEHICLES”. It required spark arrestors and mufflers and that noise not exceed the state motor vehicle code limits. Ironically, it attempted to address trespass problems by requiring “written permission”.

That ordinance was amended in 1986 to comply with Californ State law(penal code 602) regarding “written permission vs. private property” and it became ordinance #3096.

Now, more than twenty years later, off-roaders and property owners alike are supprised to be facing radical and unfair changes as the ordinance has been rewritten, yet again.

Today, as OHV Ordinance #3973, the County again challenges State and Federal law with respect to vacant and unmarked, property and a citizen’s right to pass. But new and of particular note is the assignment of County Code personnel to act as quasi-police officers in enforcing these new laws including the unecessary requirement of expensive “Staging Permits” to assemble on ones own land.

Land closures, water supplies, and politics

http://www.kafalas.com/urbcol76.htm

If your favorite BLM riding area is within the shaded area, you could lose it to alternate energy interests.

A Coalition recently met with California Marine Base representatives to discuss possible base expansion into existing Off-Highway Vehicle recreation areas.

Surveyors eye Johnson Valley
krosenberg@vvdailypress.com
April 8, 2008 - 2:56PM

TWENTYNINE PALMS — Bureau of Land Management and United States Marine Corps officials this week confirmed that permits have been issued to look into expanding the facility at Twentynine Palms — possibly by as much as 100,000 acres into Johnson Valley.

EDUCATION THE REAL ANSWER

Requiring a staging permit for more than nine people is unreasonable. It interferes with the family assemblages of about half of the off-roading community. Many families have a place they go to play pert near every weekend. Permits could cost them literally, thousands of dollars a year.
For most of us to know, weeks in advance, if we'll even need a permit is virtually impossible for all but the special occasions.
Some of the questions on the application can't even be answered truthfully in advance.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/