More than a decade after the off-road community fought to protect Johnson Valley, California’s largest and most iconic OHV area faces a new challenge. The U.S. Military has proposed creating new Special Use Airspace (SUA) over the region, raising serious concerns for safety, recreation, and the future of events.

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), along with many other land-use advocacy groups, has outlined its opposition to the current proposal. Public comments are due by September 15th to help defend Johnson Valley.

Johnson Valley: A Fight Renewed

Ten years ago, the public battled to keep Johnson Valley open when the Marines sought to claim the entire area. The eventual compromise split the land: half was permanently transferred to the Marines, while the other half was preserved as a congressionally designated OHV area under a shared-use model with limited training closures.

Now, the Marines are not seeking more land, rather control of the skies. Their plan would establish a new SUA, R-2509, over Johnson Valley. While the Marines insist that ground access would remain unchanged, the restricted “surface to sky” airspace would block civilian helicopters, drones, and other vital aviation operations unless cleared by military authorities.

Why This Fight Matters

The proposed airspace restrictions could have major consequences:

Emergency Response: Medevac flights are often the only way to get seriously injured recreationists to trauma centers in time. Delays caused by clearance requirements could cost lives.

King of the Hammers (KOH): This world-renowned off-road event relies heavily on helicopters and drones for safety monitoring, chase support, and live coverage. Without aviation support, KOH’s future is at risk—along with the $34 million annual economic impact it brings to San Bernardino County.

Utility and Safety Flights: Johnson Valley is a key corridor for powerline inspections, maintenance flights, and other civilian aviation operations, all of which would face restrictions.

The The Government Proposal

The Marines have presented three alternatives:

Alternative 1: Establishes permanent, surface-to-ceiling airspace restrictions—the most limiting option.

Alternative 2: Expands military airspace under a so-called “shared use” model, but with strict rules and likely clearance delays.

No Action Alternative: Leaves Johnson Valley as it is today, continuing the balance Congress established between military training and public recreation.

Both action alternatives threaten the safety, accessibility, and future of recreation in Johnson Valley.

Why This Undermines The Compromise

When Congress created the Johnson Valley OHV Area, it intended a genuine shared-use compromise. Restricting the skies now amounts to a backdoor land grab that undermines the deal and puts the future of one of America’s premier public recreation areas at risk.

Examples from elsewhere in the West underscore the concern:

At Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, surface-to-sky restrictions have effectively eliminated public recreation, despite land beneath appearing open.

At White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, restricted airspace not only blocks ground access but also prevents aviation activities essential to events, filming, and even emergency services.

What Needs To Change

While we fully support our country’s military, we cannot endorse the proposal as written. At a minimum, safeguards must be included and the Blue Ribbon Coalition has some suggestions:

1. Shared-Use Corridor – Designate an R-2509 corridor with shared-use airspace from the surface to 1,500 feet above the highest terrain.
2. Emergency Response Exemptions – Guarantee unrestricted access for medevac, firefighting, and other emergency flights.
3. King of the Hammers Protections – Ensure operators can continue using helicopters and drones for coverage, safety, and support.
4. Flight Floor Requirement – If SUA is created, mandate a minimum flight floor of 1,500 feet above ground to allow utility inspections and event-related flights.
5. No Buffer Zone Expansion – Prevent the SUA from being used to indirectly restrict ground OHV use.
6. Congressional Oversight – Ensure any decision honors the intent of Congress when it established Johnson Valley as a shared-use OHV area.

How You Can Help Save Johnson Valley

This is a fight the OHV community has won before—and we can win again. But it requires action. The Blue Ribbon Collation has made it easy to submit your comments by September 15, 2025 to ensure your voice is heard. Comments will be delivered to both your federal representatives and the Department of the Navy.

Johnson Valley is worth protecting—for safety, recreation, and future generations.