The U.S. Marine Corps is considering a possible expansion of its Air Ground Combat Center in Southern California that may restrict or cut off access to Route 66 and other spots in that area from about Cadiz Summit to just west of Amboy.
According to Kell Brigan, who is fighting the Marines’ possible land acquisition:
The expansion, if executed, would remove the entirety of Amboy Crater from public access, and restrict public use of Route 66 to the northern side only. It is even possible that the public would lose some or all access to this section of Route 66 altogether.
As residents and property owners in the Wonder Valley area east of Twentynine Palms, we are of course concerned about potential environmental impacts, increases in noise and dust, possible danger from training exercises to local residents, or even the condemnation and loss of our homes. In addition, like you, we also hope to maintain public access to Historic Route 66, including the scenically, geologically and historically precious Amboy Crater, as well as nearby archaeological and geological study sites. We support the U.S. military, and understand the need for appropriate lands for training and combat exercises. However, we believe the USMC should reconsider this expansion into lands which are so dear to both local residents and visitors. We invite you to join with residents of the Mojave in encouraging the USMC to consider alternatives less damaging to the citizens that call these parts of the desert home, or who regularly visit and explore these regions.
A partial map of the proposed expansion is here:
A lot of nature-lovers especially would oppose the proposal if it cut off access to Amboy Crater.
The Marines are in the public-comment stage of the proposal. A group called Neighbors of the 29 Palms Marine Base Expansion has prepared a set of guidelines about the Marines’ proposal through Jan. 30. A sample letter of talking points can be downloaded here (Word document). The group has a fairly comprehensive overview of the proposal and the issues therein here.
What has not been clearly articulated: WHY DOES THE MARINE CORPS NEED MORE GROUND SPACE? -this could just be another example of bureaucratic empire buiding. Additionally, if the Marines truly need the additional space, what compromises are they prepared to make in terms of conservations of plants, animals, geologic features, and eco-tourism on the acquired lands?