What's New in The ASA: December 2008

Wash Road to Be Closed
Ted Kipf Road and the Areas East of the Railroad Tracks
Wash Road Access Info
Annual Dunes Cleanup a Success
Next Desert Advisory Council (DAC) meeting
Superstition Mountain OHV Area
AZ Dune Info Meeting
Extreme Motorsports Expo
Metal in firewood could get you a Ticket
aSa Giveaway Raffle Car
Know the ISDRA Rules & Regulations
Make sure your OHV is properly registered
Acronyms

Wash Road to be Closed
The Union Pacific Railroad has indicated that they will close the Wash Road along the eastern border of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area to public travel on May 31, 2009.

While the road is on Union Pacific property, it has been used to gain access to popular camping areas for many decades. It is the ASA's position that the publics' use of Wash Road on Union Pacific property for more than 45 years establishes a public easement. We have informed UP that we are willing to take legal action as necessary.

Civil Code section 1009 prevents such easements after March 1972. However, if the ASA can document that the public enjoyed use of the road for at least five years before March 1972, where the landowner (Union Pacific) neither objected nor granted permission, we may be able to escape the restrictions of Civil Code section 1009.

Here is how you can help:

If you used Wash Road from at least March 1967 to March 1972, please provide a narrative stating your family and friends' personal use of the Road. Download an affidavit form, put your narrative on the form, and have it notarized. (Auto Club will notarize for free as will some banks).
If available, include photos that demonstrate the use. Put contact info on back.
If available, include Newspaper or other sources of date certain information. Put contact info on back.
Include any other evidence you think may be appropriate.

Mail to:
Vince Brunasso
c/o American Sand Association
PO Box 1872
Canyon Country, CA 91386

The deadline for this is April 15th.

Contact Vince Brunasso with any questions.

A Sample Narrative can be viewed here.

Our thanks to the few of you that have already mailed in an affidavit

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There have been some questions regarding the use of OHV's on the Ted Kipf road, east of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). This is an Imperial Country maintained road and thus is not legal for travel by OHV's. This road has been used for many years by OHV's without problems, however, it seems that the BLM and Imperial County are now enforcing the no OHV regulations. So to prevent the chance of receiving a traffic citation, please do not operate OHV's on this road.

The area east of the Union Pacific railroad tracks and south of high way 78 is in the Northern and Eastern Colorado planning area (NECO). As such has areas that are open to OHV travel and camping is permitted within 300 feet of any legal route of travel.

The ASA and a Desert Advisory Council member are both working to have the BLM get the legal routes of travel signed and put on a map so the visitors and the BLM LEO's will know exactly where it is legal to recreate and camp in the NECO plan area.

The ASA will keep you up to date on the issues affecting this area adjacent to the ISDRA.

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9299 W OLIVE AVE.
Suite 610
PEORIA Arizona, 85345-8379
Phone: 623 433 8643
Web site: www.foddrillmotorsports.com

Show and Shine
Lunch provided by meeting host
Speakers program theme will focus on new AZ OHV law

Overview of the law -- AZ Game and Fish Dept.
OHV registration -- AZ Motor Vehicle Dept.
Enforcement in AZ -- AZ Game and Fish Dept., AZ State Parks, AZ State Land Dept.& Tonto National Forest
Reciprocity in CA -- CA State Parks, BLM, Imperial County Sheriff's Office
Other topics of discussion -- US Border Patrol & AZ Off Road Coalition

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...will be March 20 and 21st. This meeting will include a tour of the Johnson valley recreation area. This tour will be on Friday March 20 and the general meeting will be on Saturday March 21 at the:

Of interest to the ISDRA users is the El Centro Field managers report. This report may be viewed at this location: El Centro Field managers Report

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BLM has requested the ASA let our members know that they should avoid using the entrance at wash 24 use the entrance at wash 25 instead. Also the entrances through the fence at washes 11, 12, 13, and 14 are a little narrow (about 15 feet) and ISDRA visitors should exercise care if using them. Finally, access to camping in washes 1-7 can be accomplished on BLM land without using the railroad access road at all.

Volunteers Needed
The Extreme Motorsports Expo is scheduled for May 16, 17, & 18 and the ASA plans to have our booth there again this year with the ASA Raffle Car at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, Ca

We need Volunteers to assist in setting up the booth in advance of the show and tearing it down afterwards. In addition, we are looking for people who would like to represent the ASA to the show's public by being one of our personnel in the booth during show hours. Signing up new members, selling raffle tickets & merchandise is all very cool. But, my favorite part of helping in the booth is informing fellow duners of the PMV, Border Patrol and LEO issues facing us in the ISDRA. What's your favorite part? Interested in helping the ASA? Let's talk about it!

The CORVA Family Fun Days have graciously requested ASA's presence at this event. In the spirit of partnership between our two Orgs, the ASA trailer will be there to sell goods and sign up new members.

This takes place in California City, Ca April 18, 19 & 20.
At present, we seek Volunteers to set up the booth on Friday Apr 18 and tear-down on the afternoon of Sunday Apr 20. In addition, we need Volunteers to work the booth. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, January 17th, the United Desert Gateway (UDG) held their 12th annual Dunes Cleanup in the north and south regions of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. This event was a great success! Duners from all over California and Arizona, and from many other locations in the US and Canada, donated over 5,000 hours of their time to cleaning up the dunes. These volunteers are to be commended for their altruistic spirit.

Another group of people we would like to thank is the event sponsors. Without them the UDG would not be able to put on this premier event. This year's presenting sponsors were: Duner's Diner, RideNow Powersports, Monster Energy Drink, Quad Magazine, Sand Sport Magazine and the Bureau of Land Management.

We would also like to thank our Supercharged level sponsors: KD Cycle, Gilmore Off-Road, Take Pride In America, Sand Style, MGM Design, San Diego Off-Road Magazine, the El Centro Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the Brawley Chamber of Commerce, Mesquite Regional Landfill, Glamisnews.com, Extreme Performance, the American Sand Association, Gibson Performance Exhaust and Yuma Duners.

This year's Nitrous level sponsors were Alford Distributing, SoCo Group, the Sand Sport Super Show, De Anza Search and Rescue, Kawasaki Motors Corporation, RATV/MX Warehouse, Mendeola Transaxles, Rancho Performance Transaxles, Crazy Keven's, RBP and Sidewinder Shell.

High Octane level sponsors were The Brawley Inn, Cochise Motorsports, Dave Folts Transmissions, F&L Racing Fuel, Luv2Camp, ACRO Lights, Glamisweather.com, Imperial Valley Cycle Center, IMS Products Inc., Sand Posse Dune & Desert Apparel, Off-Roader's Outreach, OMF Performance Products, Raw Motorsports, San Diego Off-Road Coalition, Sweet Marie's, True Excitement, Trail Tech Inc., Axia Alloys, Superstition Services and Gold Cross Ambulance Services.

The UDG would like to extend our genuine thanks to all of our event sponsors, those companies who graciously donated products to the prize drawing and to all of the thousands of volunteers who gave of their time to keep the dunes clean and open for all to enjoy.

The Navy is asking for your help to spread the word to stay out of restricted areas (live bombing range) at Superstition Mountain.

From Michelle Dee, Public Affairs Officer, NAF El Centro:
First, let me say that we love OHV'ers and are thrilled that we are able to have such compatible uses collocated at the Superstition area. Many of the Sailors on the installation, including our Executive Officer, are out at the
Superstitions or Glamis on the weekends.

We enjoy the relationship that we have and appreciate the 99% of off-roaders who respect the boundaries of the bombing range. As always, riding season and our heavy usage coincide, for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, we have experienced multiple incursions into restricted areas that have caused us to cease training for safety reasons. We are asking for help in getting the word out that although a majority of the Superstition area is ideal for
joint use, there are areas that are clearly marked "OFF LIMITS".

The areas marked off limits are marked as such for safety reasons. The Military utilizes the Superstition ranges for bombing, strafing and mobile targeting training. Entry into the restricted areas hinders and often completely stops vital and limited training time for U.S. and allied military aircraft while at the same time putting the rider's safety at risk.

NAF El Centro appreciates the support that organizations and individual riders provide. Working together on these issues helps ensure that we can both continue to utilize the area and preserve it for both our benefits.

Do not burn pallets or wood with nails!

Effective January 1, 2008, campfires at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area must contain only untreated wood products free from metal, petroleum products, and other toxic substances. In addition, no persons shall possess, ignite, or burn pallets of any kind including those made of wood, fiber, or plastic within these recreation areas.

At the ISDRA, the burning of pallets will get you a citation for nails in your fire pit on the basis of the rules that cover littering. ISDRA is in the process of adopting a rule similar to that of the Barstow Field office for Dumont Dunes. See below.

The Dumont Dunes staff enforces the CA Firewood Rule.

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Know the ISDRA Rules & Regulations -- Law enforcement is cracking down!

ISDRA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Rules are designed to promote public safety in the Imperial Sand Dunes and have been in effect since 1983. It is your responsibility to know the law. These rules apply to public lands within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.

RECREATION PERMIT. A permit is required for all primary vehicles; a primary vehicle is a street legal vehicle used for transportation to the recreation site. Permits must be purchased on or before arrival and visibly displayed in the windshield of the primary vehicle with the date side facing out.

SAFETY FLAGS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES IN THE IMPERIAL SAND DUNES RECREATION AREA (This includes two-wheeled motorcycles.) All vehicles shall be equipped with a whip mast and a 6x12-inch red/orange flag. Flags may be of pennant, triangle, square, or rectangular shape. Masts must be securely mounted on the vehicle and extend eight feet from the ground to the mast tip. Safety flags must be attached within 10 inches of the tip of the whip mast with club or other flags mounted below safety flag, or on another whip.

A 15 MPH SPEED RULE EXISTS ON THE SAND HIGHWAYS. No person shall operate an OHV in excess of 15 mph on public lands within 500 feet of Highway 78, Grays Well Road, Gecko Road and access roads within the Gecko and Roadrunner recreation sites.

NO SAVING SPACES. Reserving of camping spaces is prohibited; sites are allocated on a first come/first serve basis.

FIRES. The burning of potentially hazardous materials e.g.(but not limited to) gas, oil, plastic and magnesium is prohibited.

NO GLASS BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ARE ALLOWED. Possession or use of any glass, cup or bottle, empty or not, used for carrying any liquid for drinking purposes is prohibited. Persons may pick up glass beverage containers discarded by others to remove for deposit in approved trash receptacles.

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED WHILE RIDING ON BLM LANDS. No person shall drink an alcoholic beverage, have in their possession or on their person any open container that contains an alcoholic beverage while operating in or on a motor vehicle or OHV on public lands administered by BLM within California.

USE OF AUDIO DEVICES. No person shall operate or use any audio, such as a radio, television, musical instrument, or other noise producing device or motorized equipment between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in a manner that makes unreasonable noise that disturbs other visitors; or operate or use a public address system without written authorization from BLM.

PUBLIC NUDITY. Public nudity is prohibited in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.

UNAUTHORIZED ORGANIZED EVENT. No person shall participate in or sponsor an unauthorized organized event (Example bands, videos, movies etc. ).

RIDING IN PICKUP BEDS AND OTHER UNSAFE ACTIVITIES. No person shall ride in the bed of a pickup truck or any part of a motor vehicle not designed for passengers on or off road.

AIRCRAFT. Taking off or landing of aircraft, including ultra lights, is prohibited within one (1) mile of Gecko Road.

DUMPING. Dumping of sewage (black) and/or gray water is prohibited.

CAMPING LIMITATIONS. A 14 day camping limit is in effect in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS. No parking or camping within 10 feet of pavement on Gecko Road.

SHOOTING. Shooting is prohibited within 1/2 mile of formal campgrounds and should be conducted well away from other concentrations of people and property.

LEASH LAW. 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.

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aSa Giveaway Raffle Car & Trailer
This year, the aSa Giveaway buggy is a custom built Sand Limo. This is the SECOND car that SAND LIMO has built for the aSa Giveaway Raffle. H & H Trailer Company of Kingman, AZ donated a flat bed trailer that goes with the Sand Limo. This all aluminum trailer includes a built in winch and a hydraulic tilting cylinder. This will make your raffle tickets even more valuable. If you already bought tickets, you are eligible to win this outstanding package. Tickets are $20 each and the winner will be drawn at the 2009 Sand Sports Super Show, September 20, 2009. You do NOT have to be present to win.

The actual trailer is 20' long & 102” wide floor and drive over fenders.

Support the aSa and keep your dunes open - Purchase your Sand Limo Raffle Car Tickets Now

The more you buy, the more you save, the better your odds of winning
Buy 1 for $20, 3 for $50, 6 for $100, 12 for $200 or 24 for $400

Tickets are limited to only 7,500. Purchase your tickets now before they are all gone!

Winners Need Not be Present (additional rules apply)

For Mail Orders Send
Check or Money Order to
Sand Limo Buggy Raffle
Box 1872
Canyon Country, CA 91286

or call 888 540-SAND

If you would like to help sell tickets for our annual fundraiser please send an email to:
The aSa Volunteer Coordinator

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Make sure your OHV is properly registered.

All vehicles operated off-highway on Public Lands in California are required to be street-licensed or registered as an off-highway vehicle (OHV).

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) is out in force this season at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Officers are thoroughly checking off-highway vehicles for registration. Vehicles that are not properly registered are being impounded.

Vehicles are being stopped solely for the reason of not displaying the proper green sticker.

High target areas are the Sand Drags and the area around Glamis Flats.

Off highway vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and display a valid Green Sticker or Red Sticker Vehicle Identification Tag (38020,38010 C.V.C.) in a clearly visible location on the vehicle. (38170 C.V.C.).

Off highway vehicles that do not have a valid registration or permit from the owners home state (incl. Mexico and
Canada) will be required to purchase a California nonresident permit (sticker) through selected vendors in CA, NV,
AZ or may also be purchased from CA Department of Parks and Recreation 916 324-4442.

Make sure to carry registration paperwork in the vehicle at all times so you can prove ownership.

This beautiful sand car was in the process of being impounded by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO)
because it was not registered and did not have a VIN.

Pictures are copyright (c) 2009 Mark A. Rolland, Sand Sports Magazine
Text is used by permission of Jon Crowley, Duneguide.com .

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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
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

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What's New in the aSa March, 2009

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What's New in the aSa
March, 2009