Pol: 29 Palms expansion threatens off-road spot

[unhappycamper]

Pol: 29 Palms expansion threatens off-road spot
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 3, 2008 15:32:50 EST

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — A San Bernardino County supervisor wants the military to rethink westward expansion of the 932-square-mile Twentynine Palms Marine base into a popular off-road vehicle area.

Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt wants the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area left intact, saying adjacent wilderness areas could instead be used by the Air Ground Combat Center for desert training and weapons testing.

Mitzelfelt says the 800,000 annual Johnson Valley recreational visits are essential to the economy of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.

The supervisor asked U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein to consider removal of the wilderness designation for Marine base expansion. But the senator says removal of wilderness protections is unlikely.


Article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_29palms_expansion_110308/%2e