Richard Parks, Editor of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter and automotive journalist, suggested I post a copy of letters we are sending to all SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) members via the SCTA Racing News. We also will be handing out this information at Speedweek, Aug 10-16.
The letters are political in nature and deal with "Saving the Johnson Valley OHV Area". The US Marine Corps is seeking to expand their Desert Training Center, adjacent to Johnson Valley OHV Area. If their proposal is accepted and signed into law, the thousands of users (King of the Hammers, motorcycle riders, dune buggies and jeeps, rockhounds, hikers, prospectors and all other recreational users) will be forced into the very few remaining desert recreational and OHV areas, INCLUDING, the El Mirage OHV Area.
Dry Lakes Racing at El Mirage could be put in very serious jeopardy due to large crowds and area overuse. The project we are working on, along with SEMA, ORBA, Save Johnson Valley Coalition and others is having a positive effect. HR1960, which in part, preserves Johnson Valley for OHV and recreational use has passed the House of Representatives. It currently is in the Senate and being studied by various committees. It will come up for vote, likely this fall. We need a massive letter writing campaign to convince US Senators to pass the bill and preserve Johnson Valley OHV Area.
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This is the information from the SCTA Website:
To All SCTA and BNI Members,
Recently, the US House of Representatives passed an initiative that will preserve the Johnson Valley OHV Area and, in turn, help to keep the El Mirage OHV Area from being overwhelmed by users.
Attached is a letter drafted using ORBA (Off Road Business Association) Talking Points from a letter writing campaign they initiated.
We have modified it a bit adding other pertinent information, including the specific provision of HR1960 as it relates to Johnson Valley (2014 NDAA, Title XXX, Subtitle E, Sections 3051 thru 3054).
The attached letter is offered for your information to use in total or in part. HR1960 is now in the Senate and being reviewed by various committees. It is estimated that the Bill will go before the Senate for a vote sometime this Fall. If passed, it will go to the President for his signature. It is crucial that we get involved in a letter writing campaign urging our State Senators and the President to approve this bill. This is a national bill / issue so letters need to come from all states!
Thank you and let's get busy!
Click on the link below for a copy of the sample "Letter to your Senator":
http://www.scta-bni.org/pdf/2013/Save%20Johnson%20Valley%20OHV%20Area%5B1%5D.doc 
