URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Provision to Save California’s Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area Approved by House; Will Now be Considered by Senate

SEMA Action Network
June 14, 2013

UPDATE

HR 1960, The 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was overwhelmingly approved the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 1960 includes a provision to end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, California. Authored by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), the provision allows the Marines to have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) Recreation Area for up to 60 days a year for training exercises, but the OHV area would be otherwise preserved for recreational use. The NDAA will now be considered by the U.S. Senate.

The provision protects OHV activities by establishing the "Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area" under continued management by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It provides for public participation in determining the dates for military activities that will be the least disruptive for OHV activities. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts and is home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers.

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) will continue to urge Senators to act quickly to approve the NDAA with the Johnson Valley provision included. The Senate bill will be considered later this summer. Final passage of the NDAA is not expected until this fall.

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org or Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.