What's New in the ASA
August, 2007

Next Open Board of Directors Meeting August 25th

The ASA Board of Directors will hold another open board meeting in Ontario, CA.
Location:
Best Western Ontario Airport
209 N Vineyard Avenue
Ontario, Ca 91764
Phone: 909-937-6800

Representatives from government agencies that impact our recreation in the ISDRA will be on hand. This is always a very informative event. As usual, time is set aside for your questions to the ASA Board of Directors.

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New Managment at ASA

At the July 14, 2007 Open Board Meeting in San Diego, ASA elected Bill Jones as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Brian Crain as Vice Chairman.

Both will assume their new positions in January 2008

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Us Fish And Wildlife Service (FWS) Soliciting Public Comment for Its Proposed Revision to Pierson's Milk Vetch (PMV) Critical Habitat Designation

A discussion of the new proposal along with maps can be FOUND HERE.

As directed by Judge Susan Illston, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), has revised their proposal of the designated critical habitat for Astragalus magdalenae
var. peirsonii (Peirson's milk-vetch) pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

In total, approximately 16,108 acres (ac) (6,519 hectares (ha)) in Imperial County, California, fall within the boundaries of the revised proposed critical habitat
designation. Lands being proposed as critical habitat are under Federal
(15,857 ac (6,418 ha)), private (240 ac (97 ha)), and State (11 ac (4
ha)) ownership.

The draft economic analysis is available for public review. The USFWS is soliciting data and comments from the public on all aspects of this revised proposal, including data on the economic and other impacts of the designation. The USFWS will hold public hearings on both the proposed critical habitat rule and the draft economic analysis.

DATES: Comments from all interested parties will be accepted until September 25, 2007. The public hearings will take place on August 23, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office in Carlsbad, California.

ADDRESSES: Public Hearings. The public hearings will be held at the
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad,
California, 92011.

Comments: If you wish to comment on the proposed rule and/or the
draft economic analysis, you may submit your comments and materials,
identified by RIN 1018-AU98, by any of the following methods:
(1) You may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to fw8cfwocomments@fws.gov. Include ``RIN 1018-AU98'' in the subject line.
(2) You may fax your comments to Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor,
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at 760-431-5901.
(3) You may mail or hand-deliver your written comments and
information to Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife
Office at the address above.
(4) You may submit your comments at the Federal eRulemaking Portal,
http://www.regulations.gov Follow the instructions for submitting
comments.

Comments and materials received, as well as supporting documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address (telephone 760-431-9440). Copies of the draft economic analysis are available for downloading from the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad/ or by contacting the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office directly at the above phone number or address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad
Fish and Wildlife Office, at the address listed under ADDRESSES
(telephone 760-431-9440; facsimile 760-431-5901). Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.

This information was obtained from the Federal Register: July 27, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 144)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 41258-41284]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jy07-15]

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ASA to Submit Request for Proposal for Multi-species Conservation Plan at ISDRA

For the past eight months, ASA has been engaged in a dialogue with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) on issues pertaining to the future of the ISDRA. During those discussions, it was suggested that ISDRA would benefit from a "multiple species" approach to resource management. After careful consideration, ASA feels this idea warrants further investigation.

Because the Department of Justice has elected to withdraw its appeal of Judge Illston's ruling, BLM and the FWS must embark on a rewrite of the Biological Opinion and the Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for ISDRA. The preparation of a MSCP will allow the ASA to explore the options available and will enhance the ASA's ability to participate in the public comment process associated with a revised RAMP.

Therefore, ASA has prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP) regarding development of a viable Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) for the ISDRA. ASA intends to send the RFP out to 10 or more qualified consulting firms.

It is ASA's hope that the draft MSCP prepared through this process will form the basis for more advanced discussions with BLM, FWS, CBD, and PEER regarding recreation and conservation strategies for the ISDRA.

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New ASA Merchandise Available at the Sand Sports Super Show and Online Store

The ASA Merchandise Team will be introducing several new styles of shirts to our Limited Edition Collection just in time for the Sand Sport Super Show! This incredible collection makes its debut on September 14 th, 2007 and will include a Billet Series as well as a Tribal Flame Series. You will find them right along side our new Sand Toy Set, Frisbee and Beach Balls for the younger crowd (because kids play in the sand, too).

Just as exciting, is that due to the overwhelming popularity of the 2006 LE Action Shirt Series, the Merchandise Team is pleased to announce that they have been restocked and moved over to our Regular Line and will continue to be available for purchase in both long and short sleeve. (Kids sizes available in short sleeve only.)

All our shirts are printed on high quality, long lasting shirts that will look great for a long time to come! As always, all proceeds from the sale of ASA merchandise go towards the fight to keep our dunes open.

Please stop by our booth or go online and be one of the first to get one of these unique shirts!

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Through the efforts of Weekend Warrior the Mule will be available to BLM on a loan basis through the Dune Safety and Stewardship Partnership program sponsored by the United Desert Gateway Communities. Representatives of Weekend Warrior presented the Mule to BLM CA State Director, Mike Pool at the ASA Open Board meeting in San Diego.

The vehicle will be ready for delivery at the Sand Sport Super Show at Costa Mesa, CA in mid Sept, 2007.

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ASA Will Sell ISDRA Permits for 2007-2008 Season

You will be able to purchase your ISDRA Season Permit at the ASA Booth at this year's Sand Sports Super Show. The show is held at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA September 14-16th. 10% of the permit proceeds go directly to the ASA. Purchase your permit and help the ASA at the same time!

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"Take Time Out for Safety" Get your DVD Now!

The American Sand Association, Bureau of Land Management, United Desert Gateway and the Imperial County Sheriff's Office have developed a DVD that will be available, on an introductory program, free of charge to sand sport enthusiasts at the September 2007 Sand Sport Super Show.

This terrific DVD will be available in the ASA booth. When you are at the show, come by and pick one up while supplies last. The DVD is one more piece of the "Partners in Dune Safety" program designed by the ASA to inform duners of the rules and safe duning practices.

Funding for this project was provided by the BLM, ASA, and Weekend Warrior Manufacturing. Copies will be available to sand car manufactures at a nominal cost for distribution to their customers.

BLM, ICSO, and California State Parks officers will be provided a supply of the DVDs to give out to duners they see doing the "Right Thing." You may get caught doing the right thing and receive a free DVD.

In addition, the BLM has produced a "Visiting Staff Orientation" website link that will be sent to EMTs, LEOs, and other staff member assigned to the ISDRA on holiday weekends. This will enhance their awareness of ISDRA activities and the unique rules that apply at the dunes.

Both of these were produced by Wally Cahill of Motorsports Mania.

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Volunteers Needed - ASA Needs Help at the Sand Sports Super Show

We need your help working the ASA booth at the Sand Sports Super Show September 14, 15, and 16th.

The ASA Booth will be bigger and better than ever before. Don't forget we'll be giving away the Grand Prize De Jong Sand Car and the Pace Enclosed Trailer (2nd prize in our raffle) on Sunday the 16th.

Please sign up to work a shift any or every day of the event. We need help selling giveaway raffle tickets and merchandise, preparing information packets, signing up new members, and informing people at the show about the ASA and its mission.

Contact Kathryn Kelsey volunteers@amercicansandassociation.org for more info and to sign up to work the booth. Thanks for your help!

2007 ASA Giveaway Sand Car Raffle

Acronyms
ADSB - Andrews Dune Scarab Beetle
AMA - Adaptive Management Area
ARA = Arizona Public Records Act
ASMAP - Peirson's Milk Vetch (technical)
BLM - Bureau of Land Management
BLM ECFO - BLM El Centro Field Office
BO - Biological Opinion
BOD - Board of Directors
CA PRA = California Public Records Act
CBD - Center for Biological Diversity
CCC - California Coastal Commission
CDCA - California Desert Conservation Area
CDPA - California Desert Protection Act
CEQA = California Environmental Quality Act
CNPS - California Native Plant Society
CORVA - California Off Road Vehicle Association
CVC - California Vehicle Code
DOJ - Department of Justice
DOI - Department of the Interior
EIR - Environmental Impact Report
EIS - Environmental Impact Study
ECFO - BLM El Centro Field Office
ESA - Endangered Species Act
FLPMA - Federal Land Policy & Management Act
FOIA - Freedom of Information Act
FoOD - Friends of Oceano Dunes (Pismo)
FoDD - Friends of Dumont Dunes
ICBoS - Imperial County Board of Supervisors
SDCSO - San Diego County Sheriff's Office
FTHL - Flat Tail Horned Lizard
FWS - See USFWS
GOL - GlamisOnLine.org
IC - Incident Command
ICSO - Imperial County Sheriff Office
ISDRA - Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
LEO - Law Enforcement Officer
MA - Management Area
NECO - North Eastern Colorado Desert Plan
NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act
NEQA = National Environmental Quality Act
ODSVRA - Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area
OHMVR - Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation
OHV - Off Highway Vehicle
OHVEST - Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement Safety Team
ORBA - Off Road Business Association
ORV = Off Road Vehicle
PA - Planning Area
PH SO - Sand food
PMV - Peirson's Milk Vetch
RAMP - Recreation Area Management Plan
ROD - Record of Decision
SDORC - San Diego Off-Road Coalition
SSSS - Sand Sports Super Show
SVRA - State Vehicle Recreation Area
TRT - Technical Review Team
UA - Unlawful Assembly
UDG - United Desert Gateway Communities (local to ISDRA)
USFWS - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WECO - Western Colorado Desert Plan
WSA - Wilderness Study Area