What's New in the ASA
June, 2007

Over $47,000.00 in gross receipts were generated. Mike Wallace and his crew from Cutting Edge did a super job. 128 Golfers participated in the inaugural ASA benefit golf tournament on May 7th.

Held at the Black Gold Golf Club, net proceeds go to the ASA general fund that support our efforts to keep riding areas open.

Plan on attending next year's tournament on May 5, 2008.

ASA Meets With BLM and FWS

Representatives of ASA, BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the FWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) met in Sacramento on May 25, 2007. ASA was represented by Bob Mason, Chairman, Bill Jones, Vice Chairman, and Attorney Dave Hubbard. TRT Chairman Jerry Seaver also attended.

The following topics were discussed:
RAMP, BO and EIS ---------BLM noted that the revised PMV (Peirson's Milk Vetch) Critical Habitat Designation and the associated economic analysis is mandated by the court to be complete by Feb. of 2008 and if it is challenged they will probably continue with the process of developing a new RAMP (Recreation Area Management Plan) and BO (Biological Opinion). BLM also noted that they would consider employing a consulting firm to redraft the RAMP and EIS (Environmental Impact Study). BLM anticipates that the ROD (Record of Decision) will not be final until 2010. Everyone agreed that the redrafted alternatives must be based on empirical data that is legally defensible.

Fee Collection -----------BLM noted that the ICSO (Imperial County Sheriff Office) has indicated that they will continue the fee collection through the 2007-08 season. ICSO has also informally indicated that may not continue thereafter. The Imperial County CEO has suggested that another county department (Parks) may assume the responsibility. It has also been suggested that the UDG participate in the development of a marketing plan. The possibility of UDG assuming the overall fee collection responsibility at some future time was discussed.

Competition Hill -----------BLM noted that it is not likely that the Comp Hill curfew will be lifted in the near future. They cited the following reasons:
· The general dynamics of the area in proximity to Hwy. 78
· Law enforcement is spread too thin to deal with Comp Hill and Olds simultaneously
· BLM does not believe that the overall duning community is greatly concerned with the curfew

July 13, 2007 TRT Meeting-------------BLM has confirmed that the ISDRA TRT (Technical Review Team) will meet on July 13 in San Diego. They have arranged for a meeting room at the Holiday Inn Bayside in close proximity to the ASA Open Board meeting hotel. Discussion indicated that Federal framework of concession management will be on the agenda. Other topics will include reports by the Public Safety and Fee Collection TRT sub committee progress.

During the discussion of TRT activities the BLM CA State Director reinforced his support of the TRT's role in the ISDRA decision making process. On numerous occasions he noted that decisions such as dumpster considerations and the development of supplemental rules take into account TRT input.

CA Desert District Supplemental Rules Team --------BLM indicated that a management Team has initiated a review of supplemental rules through out the District. Developing consistent rules for all Sand Sport recreation areas is of prime importance. The ECFO (BLM El Centro Field Office) manager noted that metal in firewood and dumping holding tanks will be considered. She said that burning of pallets will not be allowed and the "Courtesy Speed Zone" concept will be considered. BLM was asked to provide the OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) organizations an opportunity to review the Teams preliminary findings before submission to the Federal Register for public comment.

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The ASA is working to offer ISDRA (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area) Season and Weekly Permits to purchase for the upcoming Dune Season. You will be able to purchase your ISDRA Permits online through the ASA this year with 10% of the permit proceeds going to the ASA. More details to come as things are finalized.

The ASA will host an open Board of Directors meeting Saturday, July 14, at 9:00 A.M..
The program will include a presentation celebrating the 7th anniversary of the ASA and its efforts to remove the temporary dune closures. We have representatives from the BLM, UDG (United Desert Gateway Communities), California OHMVR (Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation) Division, and our attorney to provide a brief outline of their recent activities and answer questions from our members. The meeting will be held at the Bay Club Hotel, 2131 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego (http://www.bayclubhotel.com). Final details will be available on the ASA web site as the event draws closer.

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

Please pay special attention to all the businesses that donate parts and services to this most vital project. They support us - please support them whenever you can.

CLICK HERE to get your tickets.

Pace American Corporation donated this year's second place prize for the ASA giveaway raffle: a Pace American Rallye 24 foot enclosed trailer. Click here to purchase tickets for a chance to win it! Special thanks to Pace of Arizona's owner Anthony Verdone for making this happen.

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