The 2013 ROD committed the Marine Corps to various measures to protect resident desert tortoises by moving them from areas where they would be exposed to impacts from the MEB training to nearby areas that would not be affected by the MEB training. The approach to translocation of the desert tortoises has changed over time due to various factors and new information. In addition to the GTP, two alternative translocation plans were developed and studied as a part of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Study (SEIS).

The SEIS was prepared during the fall of 2016. As part of this analysis, a revised Biological Opinion was released on January 31, 2017. A Record of Decision for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a cooperating agency on this project, was signed on February 9, 2017. The Department of the Navy’s Record of Decision was signed on February 10, 2017, documenting the Marine Corps selection of a tortoise translocation alternative.

• DON Record of Decision
• BLM Record of Decision
• Final SEIS
• Final SEIS Appendices
• Draft SEIS
• Final 2012 Twentynine Palms Land Acquisition Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and SEIS Fact Sheet

The 45-day public comment period for the Draft SEIS ended on November 14, 2016.

How Can the Community Participate in the SEIS Process?

Public involvement is a fundamental part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. The Combat Center encourages and appreciates your participation in the NEPA process for the SEIS.

Read the Draft SEIS

The Draft SEIS was available for review at the following local libraries starting on September 30, 2016, and was posted in electronic format on the "Documents" portion of this website: http://www.seisforlaa.com/Documents.aspx.

Apple Valley, CA: Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Library

Barstow, CA: Barstow Branch Library

Joshua Tree, CA: Joshua Tree Library

Lucerne Valley, CA: Lucerne Valley Janice Horst Branch Library

Needles, CA: Needles Branch Library

Ontario, CA: Ovitt Family Community Library

Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Public Library

Sacramento, CA: Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building

San Bernardino, CA: San Bernardino County Library Administrative Offices

Twentynine Palms, CA: Twentynine Palms Library

Victorville, CA: Victorville City Library

Yucca Valley, CA: Yucca Valley Branch Library
 

Come to a Meeting

Participants at these meetings were welcome to

• Engage in the NEPA process and review posters and other informational materials
• Learn about the analysis presented in the Draft SEIS
• Ask questions and discuss the proposed action with Combat Center representatives
• Submit written or spoken comments

Have Your Say

Comments on the Draft SEIS were encouraged and accepted during the 45-day public comment period, which began on September 30, 2016 and ended on November 14, 2016.

There were several ways to provide comments on the Draft SEIS:

1. Review the Draft SEIS online and submit comments electronically using the comment form at http://www.seisforlaa.com/.
2. Participate in one of the public meetings and fill out a comment form that was available at the meetings.
3. Submit a verbal comment to a certified court reporter at one of the public meetings, who provided transcripts of all spoken comments received at each meeting.
4. Mail comments to:
   29Palms SEIS Project Team
   c/o Cardno Government Services
   3888 State Street, Ste. 201
   Santa Barbara, CA 93105

The U.S. Marine Corps and the Combat Center thank you for your participation in the NEPA process for the SEIS.

Visit the Land Acquisition and Airspace Establishment Archive for historical EIS documents, or contact the Resource Management Group at 760-830-3737 with other questions.