What's New in the ASA
December, 2006

ASA Officer Elections

The ASA Board of Directors elected the following officers for 2007:
President - Grant George
Chairman - Bob Mason
Vice Chairman - Bill Jones
Secretary - Bob Gagliano
Treasurer - Dick Holliday

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2006-2007 ISDRA Permits:
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) Permits are available by calling call 800-278-0165 and online here: http://www.imperialsanddunes.org/isdraMain.html
Prices same as last year.

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Dr. Art Phillips has written an article for the "Plant Press" the journal of the Arizona Native Plant Society (ANPS).
Click here to read this informative piece.

First Annual ASA Golf Tourney

May 7th, 2007 http://www.asagolf.golfreg.com/

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AZ Sand Expo
December 8-10, 2006 http://www.arizonasandexpo.com
Volunteers are needed to work the ASA Booth at the 4th annual Sand Expo at the Arizona Fairgrounds December 8th, 9th, and 10th. We will be signing up new members, selling raffle tickets for the DeJong Monster Manx giveaway and selling that very popular ASA merchandise. The following shifts are available for immediate sign up. Feel free to sign up for more than one shift, and please let us know if you would like to volunteer for any times that differ from these shifts.

We need all the help we can get! This is our best ARIZONA opportunity to reach our current and new ASA members, not to mention it's a great show! Please send an email to donsbusbox@cox.net to let us know when you can help.

Friday, December 8th, Show hours 5pm to 9pm
Shift #1 - 4:30pm to 7pm
Shift #2 - 7pm to 9pm

Saturday December 9th, Show hours 10am to 8pm
Shift #3 - 10am to 1 pm
Shift #4 - 1pm to 4pm
Shift #5 - 4pm to 7pm
Shift #6 - 7pm to 9:30pm

Sunday, December 10th, Show hours 10am to 4pm
Shift #7 - 9:30am to 1pm
Shift #8 - 1pm to 4:30pm

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2007 PMV Monitoring Update

The ASA Board has voted to continue PMV (Peirson's milk vetch) studies in the Dunes by Dr. Art Phillips and his crew for a seventh season. These will consist of the usual survivor, seedling, and reproductive surveys in December and April; and another seed bank study, similar to last year's probably in March.

This year, Art is adding another dimension to his Peirson's milk vetch research. In addition to a plant count and seed bank studies within the ISDRA, he is planning to go into Mexico where his colleagues have seen Peirson's milk vetch.

Locating the plants in the expanse known as the Gran Desierto will prove challenging. One of the main features of this area is the Altar Dunes. These dunes start southeast of Yuma and continue all the way to the coast of the Gulf of California. This size of the dunes and area of dune field dwarf the ISDRA.

Documenting populations outside of the ISDRA will be a key factor in delisting the plant. It would then no longer be considered endemic and specific to the Imperial Dunes. Two other species were delisted when populations outside of the US were considered.

Logistics for the Mexico trips are still being worked out. Dr. Phillips will work with Mexican authorities and biologists to coordinate the trip.

Even though we are in the midst of a drier than normal year, the true condition of the plant can be seen from the number of seeds lying beneath the sand waiting for a wet year in which to germinate.

As usual, we will solicit dune transport help from volunteers for the studies. Please help where you can.

We are proud to say that all slots for the December have been filled. We had an excellent response to our last email and filled all the positions without any problem. If you missed out, there will be another field trip later this season. Our thanks to the volunteers for the December trip.

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2007 ASA Giveaway Sand Car Raffle

1st prize this year is a DeJong Sandcars Monster Manx MX2
2nd Prize is a Pace American Rallye 24-foot enclosed trailer
For more info http://www.americansandassociation.org/pages.php?pageid=7

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ASA DeJong Giveaway Sand Car will appear at the following locations:

Tentative 2006-2007 Schedule:

December
8-10 Phoenix Sand Show - AZ State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, AZ

21-31 Christmas/New Years Holiday (2 week vending period) - KS Sand Sport Flags/ISDRA

January
1 Christmas/New Years Holiday (2 week vending period) - KS Sand Sport Flags/ISDRA
12-15 UDG Cleanup/MLK Weekend - KS Sand Sport Flags/ISDRA

February
16-19 Presidents Day Weekend - KS Sand Sport Flags/ISDRA
23-25 Tucson Rodeo Weekend - KS Sand Sport Flags, Buttercup

Tentative Events

March
Car Show - Cardinal's Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Sandridge Buggy Club Boys Weekend - Buttercup
Spring Break

April
Spring Break
Easter

May
18-20 Extreme Motorsports Expo - Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA

June
23-24 Ultimate Sand Car Challenge - Orange Show Speedway, San Bernardino, CA

July - OPEN

August
4-5 So-Cal Dirt and Sand Expo - Ontario, CA

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Arizona Open Board of Directors Meeting

March 2, 2007 Details and location TBA.

The next ASA Open Board of Directors meeting has been scheduled for March 3, 2007 in Phoenix, AZ. We hope to make this a very special meeting, and are currently in the early planning stages. Be watching for a more detailed announcement soon.

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Dog Laws Are for Real

Question - Does my dog have to be on a leash?

Answer - Both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and County have rules regarding this issue.
The BLM rule states:
Animals must be kept on a leash not longer than six feet and secured to a fixed object or under the control of a person, or otherwise physically restricted at all times. (43 CFR 87365.2-1{c})

Imperial County Ordinances state:
6.08.120 Dogs running at large prohibited.
No dog owner shall cause, permit or allow his or her dog to run at large (i.e., be neither effectively confined by a building, structure or enclosure nor restrained by a rope, strap, chain or other material) in any portion of the unincorporated area of the county, except as hereinafter provided. (Prior code § 54600)

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New Dunes Outreach Trash Truck

The second dunes outreach "trash truck" appeared in the South Dunes over the TG Holiday weekend.

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First Annual Sand Dunes Summit

BLM will hold its First Annual Sand Dunes Summit December 4-6th in Nephi, UT.

The Sand Dunes Summit includes presentations by BLM reps from dune areas throughout the west, including the ISDRA and Dumont Dunes. Scheduled are discussions about the business of dunes management, maintenance and infrastructure, partnerships, public involvement, and a tour of the Little Sahara Dunes area.

Bob Mason and Jim Bramham have been invited and will represent ASA at this event. They will make presentations relating to "Developing Partnerships" along with BLM Imperial Sand Dunes Manager, Neil Hamada.

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TRT Forms Public Safety Sub Committee

In a November 24, 2006 email sent to Jerry Seaver, ISDRA Technical review Team (TRT) Chairman, from Mike Pool, BLM California State Director, it was stated that all issues including new considerations regarding the management of Glamis should be funneled through the TRT. Good leadership dynamics, quality agendas and effective moderation of discussions on the part of all participants should lead to effective TRT outcomes.

As a result of this statement, with a motion and by unanimous vote during the 11/30/06 ISDRA TRT conference call, a sub committee for Public Safety was created. The first order of business for the ISDRA TRT Public Safety Sub Committee (PSSC) will be to continue the efforts of the reestablished Comp Hill Solutions Team (CHST).

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The ASA Safety DVD is nearing completion. We have produced the most complete users guide for the ISDRA ever seen. Packed with information and safety tips there will be items for new duners and seasoned veterans of the sand to enjoy. Every type of dune vehicle is included on this video. Thanks to all the dune buggy, quad, motorcycle and UTV drivers/ riders who participated in this amazing video. Navigating the dunes, how to lead a group, how to follow in the dunes and desert first aid are just a few items also included. Watch our web site for the final release date and where to pick up your free copy. That's right, absolutely free! The ASA, in cooperation with the BLM, UDG, ICSO and sand related businesses have joined together to produce and distribute these valuable user's guides to the duning community free. There are no excuses for not getting one of these DVDs. They will go quickly so when you hear about the release date be sure to get one quick!

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Legal Update

In an unexpected and interesting turn of events, we received on 11/21/06 a NOTICE OF APPEAL from the Department of Justice requesting that the Ninth Circuit Court review and overturn Judge Illston's decision in the ISDRA litigation.

Keep in mind that the Notice of Appeal is a one-page document that simply alerts the court that appellate review has been requested. We won't know what arguments BLM and FWS are going to make until they file their briefs.

Our attorney, Dave Hubbard, called Mike Eitel, the Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyer, but there was very little information that he could provide.

Dave did tell him, however, that we would likely file briefs in support of the appeal when the time came and he was pleased to have our help.

More as it unfolds.

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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
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
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

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