Do you live near the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC)?  Then you may be affected by the Base’s new expansion proposal launched in 2008.

Because so much homesteading occurred in the areas west and south of MCAGCC, the homestead communities will be impacted by Base expansion.  Those impacts could potentially include loss of homes or properties, noise, dust, safety hazards, loss of recreational access, airspace restrictions, and changes to local environmental and cultural resources.

An article in the Hi-Desert Star described a local concerned homeowner:

Larry Johnston drove from Upland to [a 29 Palms Base public information meeting] because he and his family own property on land in the Wonder Valley area that falls within the expansion proposal.“I’m very concerned,” said Johnston.

“My dad homesteaded five acres up here probably 50 years ago.” Now, he said, Johnston, his siblings and their cousins all own homesteads on adjoining properties there. “We’ve been coming up here since we were kids.” - Hi-Desert Star

The Expansion Proposal

The official Marine Corps Land Acquisition Study (LAS) Website describes the proposal.  The Navy is considering for expansion areas to the west, south, and east of present MCAGCC boundaries.   The expansion could include as much as 424,000 acres; currently included in the study areas are 341,000 acres of public land and 75,780 acres of privately-owned land.

The lands being studied have already been “segregated” for a period of two years (beginning September 15, 2008), as noted in the LAS Website Executive Summary (pdf): 

"The Navy requested that the BLM 'segregate' the lands within these areas from competing future claims for their use during the NEPA study. This will permit the Department of the Navy, on behalf of the Marine Corps, to conduct its EIS and further evaluate the public lands and airspace. During the EIS process, the Marine Corps will work with stakeholders to minimize any disruption to current uses."

Learn more about the proposal on the Frequently Asked Questions section (pdf) of the LAS Website.  You can also find printable hand-outs, maps, fact sheets, comment sheets, etc., linked from the Sidebar on that site.

Location of Proposal Study Areas

The Regulatory Process - How YOU Can Participate

The MCAGCC expansion proposal is presently (2008-2009) in the environmental study stage.  Learn about this process and how you can participate here: Your Participation in the Decision: NEPA   

During Nov 08 - Jan 09 the first part of the study process- "Scoping" -  is going on.  Your participation is important!  Learn how, where, and when here:   "Scoping": Oct 08 - Jan 09.

There will be more opportunities for public participation as the regulatory process progresses.  It's important to keep informed!