TWENTYNINE PALMS — A decision expected this month on plans to expand the Twentynine Palms Marine base into the Johnson Valley off-roading area has been pushed back to November or December because the Marine Corps is still reviewing comments.
About 1,000 comments from individuals and groups about the proposed expansion of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center poured in by the Aug. 27 deadline, according to the corps.
A Navy environmental impact report found the expansion could whittle down the off-roading area by more than half and cut off access to some of its most popular areas for two months a year.
An earlier draft of the report drew more than 22,000 letters and comments, most of them negative, prompting the Marines to work toward a compromise with Johnson Valley residents and the off-roading community.
An expanded Twentynine Palms is one of the few places the Marines will be able to conduct complex training for Marine Expeditionary Brigades — forces of up to 20,000 troops — with three tank battalions starting from different points advancing to a set meeting place.
But the 189,700 acres of federal land in Johnson Valley is one of the nation’s largest and most spectacular off-roading areas.
“It’s the best riding in the world; this place is just legendary,” said Preston Mattecheck, 50, of Altadena.
A final decision had been expected by the end of September, about a month after the latest comment period closed.
via Decision on Twentynine Palms Marine base expansion delayed | The Desert Sun | mydesert.com.
The marine base wants to expand can’t we just make a deal
heard most of the arguments for the sewer and I can’t disagree with the need to stop polluting the ground water, a vibrant future depends on us to take action. That said often when mandates are driving the action it draws crooks like sugar does ants. What is needed is a basin wide look into the future, does it make sense to have three plants in three different areas? I think not, the stuff runs downhill, there is a plant that could be updated to handle Yucca and 29s needs at the bottom of the basin, It’s on the same base that wants to annex Johnson valley. They need we need, can you feel the deal the common sense where I am going?
The basins fresh water mains from 29 thru JT into Yucca are almost connected. Treat the waste on the base recharge the aquifers with the treated effluents and when needed pump it for basin wide use. From a basin wide system to package plants, there are alternatives, and many more alternatives becoming available over the next couple of years, the rush is the rush to waste the tax payer’s resources.
you first