What's
New in the ASA
SPECIAL EDITION
SEPTEMBER, 2008
In this Issue:
- Changes at the Imperial Sand Dunes (ISDRA)
- NEW FEE STRUCTURE BEGINNING OCTOBER 2008
- United States Border Fence Construction
- All American Canal Lining Project Update
- New Partners Expand Awareness
- Do the Right Thing -- Pack it Out
- ASA Giveaway Raffle Car
- Mark Your Calendars! Volunteer for the Sand Sports Super Show in September
- EcoLogic Partners, Inc Raffle
- Buttercup Ranger Station Dedication
- Acronyms
Changes at the Dunes --- Learn more at the Sand Sports Super Show (SSSS) Info Meetings
The ASA has been involved in extensive discussions with the BLM relating to the financial shortfall that is anticipated at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). During the past year BLM reports to the ISDRA Technical Review Team (TRT) have noted increased expenses while federal appropriations and visitor fee collections have been less than anticipated. Trash collection services, the dumpsters, are one of the most expensive visitor services. BLM is assessing several cost reduction measures. ISDRA operating costs can be reduced significantly if visitors “Pack It Out.” Eliminating trash dumpsters can amount to a savings of $500,000 per season.
BLM does not receive any federal appropriations earmarked for operating expenses. The El Centro Field Office is required to “make do” with the fees collected from ISDRA visitors to pay for day to day operating cost. The basic premise of the recreation fee is " total cost recovery" by BLM. This is because the ISDRA is allocated very little, if any, appropriated federal funds.
Looking ahead to next season, the ISDRA will experience a short-fall based on current estimates. If the cost of trash collection is not reduced, other services could be impacted.
The ASA has made arrangements with the SSSS management for a BLM representative to make a brief presentation from the main stage relating to the need to "Pack it Out."
Please make the time to attend one of these very informative presentations.
______________________________________________
This is your opportunity to hear the latest from the agencies responsible for manageing OHV recreation opportunities at the dunes and in the California desert.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Show & Shine Sign In 10:00am
Speakers 11:00am
Awards 12 noon
For More Information about this event go to
WWW.SDORC.ORG
Toyota of El Cajon 888-210-4169
NEW
FEE STRUCTURE BEGINNING OCTOBER 2008
Effective October 2008, permits purchased at the dunes will cost $120.00
for a season and $40.00 for a week. Save yourself time and money by purchasing
your permit before arriving. Pre-purchased permit fees remain unchanged,
$90.00 for a season and $25.00 for a week. Permits can be purchased online,
by phone, from a vendor on the way to the dunes or best of all, through
the ASA!
United
States Border Fence Construction
The U.S. Border Patrol has started construction of a permanent anti-vehicle
fence that will clearly define the border. Construction was started in
August for the 13-mile fence and will be complete by the end of this calendar
year. Please stay back 100' from the construction activities. After construction
is complete, please continue to maintain the same distance from the structure
to assist the Border Patrol Agents in maintaining security at the dunes.
All American Canal Lining Project Update
The All American Canal Lining Project is a 23-mile-long water conveyance project that replaces the unlined All American Canal with a concrete-lined channel to conserve water currently lost as seepage. About 3.1 million acre-feet of Colorado River water is delivered annually through the All American Canal to 9 cities and 500,000 acres of agricultural lands throughout the Imperial Valley.
Construction
Period:
Construction began in June 2007 with excavation activities and is scheduled
to finish in March 2010. Construction is currently ahead of schedule.
What Has Been
Accomplished?
As of January 1, 2008, six months of construction have resulted in substantial
progress. Construction is occurring throughout the entire corridor while
safely maintaining public access to popular recreation areas and facilities,
even during peak visitation periods.
-
About 14 Million Cubic Yards of Material Excavated
-
Over 420 Temporary Groundwater Control Wells Installed
-
Over 21,500 Linear Feet of New Canal Concrete Lining Finished
-
Public Access Restored at Herman Schneider Memorial Bridge
In addition, two
other important accomplishments have been achieved:
Construction worker and public safety have been maintained and water delivery
to customers has continued uninterrupted. Throughout the project area,
traffic control measures, including flag men and temporary signs, may be
used during high recreation visitation periods. For safety reasons, visitors
must stay out of the active construction areas. When crossing work areas
at designated locations, observe the 5 MPH vehicle speed limit.
New
Partners Expand Awareness
The
2008 edition of the "Partner in Action" annual report was recently
prepared by the BLM and the UDG. Click
on this link Partners in action2008_FINAL.doc to learn more about
the "Partners in Dune Safety and Stewardship" activities during
the past year.
Several
new Partners have been added to the team including the U.S. Border Patrol,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Native Plant Society
and the Yamaha Motor Corporation. Take a few minutes to learn about the
broad range of partnership activities that have provided nearly $1,000,000
of in-kind services and funding to the United Desert Gateway organization.
This sand sport business community contribution has made it possible for
BLM to receive over $300,000 of cost matching funds for ISDRA projects.
Without the UDG programs this funding would not have been available at
ISDRA. Please let these folks know that you appreciate their support.
Back to Top
Do the Right Thing -- Pack it Out
ASA has been involved in extensive discussions with the BLM relating to the financial shortfall that is anticipated at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). During the past year BLM reports to the ISDRA Technical Review Team (TRT) have noted increased expenses while federal appropriations and visitor fee collections have been less than anticipated. Trash collection services, the dumpsters, are one of the most expensive visitor services.
BLM is assessing several cost reduction measures. You can help reduce ISDRA operating costs if you "Pack It Out." If there are no dumpsters available or if the dumpsters are full "Pack it Out."
Eliminating trash dumpsters can amount to a savings of $500,000 per season. Why pay for trash service a home and at the dunes? Next season, plan to "Pack It Out" and remember that any trash left on the ground is considered littering and you could be fined!
Buttercup
Ranger Station Dedication
The BLM will dedicate the new Buttercup Ranger Station on Saturday, October
11 at 5:30 pm. The program will include the dedication of the Buttercup
entrance road in memory of Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar who lost his
life in the line of duty at this site. The public will be welcome to attend
the Ranger Station dedication.
Yamaha and Imperial Valley Cycle Center Join the Billboard Partnership
The billboards located in front of the Glamis Beach Store will have new sponsors this season. Yamaha and Imperial Valley Cycle Center will support the litter education campaign with a Pack it Out message.
Kawasaki Continues to Support the Buttercup Camp Host Program
For the second year Kawasaki will provide a SXS for the BLM Buttercup camp host program. This partnership was arranged by Charla Teeters, UDG Project Manager.
ASA
Giveaway Raffle Car
This year, the ASA Giveaway buggy is a custom built Extreme Performance
Eco II. This is the second car that Extreme Performance has built
for the ASA Giveaway Raffle. Tickets are $20 each and the winner
will be drawn at the 2008 Sand Sports Super Show, September 21, 2008.
You do NOT have to be present to win.
If you would like to help sell tickets for our annual fundraiser please send an email to:volunteers@americansandassociation.org
Mark
Your Calendars! Volunteer for the Sand Sports Super Show NEXT WEEKEND
Start making your plans now to volunteer for the Sand Sports Super Show
at the Orange County fairgrounds. This is the show where the ASA gives
away our raffle car and it is one of the main sources of support for the
ASA both financially and in signing up new members. It is a good place
to get aquatinted with other ASA members and is a fun experience.
This year show will be September 19-21 and volunteers are needed for those days.
We will be sending out a request for volunteers as the time draws closer so just mark your calendars to help the ASA at this event.
EcoLogic
Partners, Inc Raffle
EcoLogic Partners fund legal counsel to protect the rights of OHV recreationists.
They are raffling off a 2008 KTM 50 SX Mini. Tickets are $5 each.
If you would like to buy tickets please call or e-mail Meg Grossglass
951-415-1869 / meg@orba.biz or
Jerry Grabow 714-747-1211 / plumrdy@aol.com
The motorcycle will be given away at the Sand Sports Super Show on Sunday September 21, 2008 at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA. Winner need not be present to win. Winner pays all taxes and registration fees.
The bike was donated in part by Z Racing of Orange. Z Racing has been a KTM Dealer in Orange County for over 25 years. They are a full service, parts and accessory dealer. They are located at 608 W. Katella Ave. Orange, CA 92867, phone 714-633-3115.
EcoLogic
Partners was formed to advance land use policies that conserve natural
resources while providing responsible outdoor recreation for American
families. Currently ASA, AMA D37, SDORC and ORBA are the organizations
supporting EcoLogic Partners, Inc.
We are currently involved in the following issues:
-
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan
-
Delisting of the Peirson's Milk Vetch
-
Critical Habitat Designation for the Peirson's Milk Vetch
-
Western Mojave Management Plan Litigation
-
Renewable Energy Projects proposed on BLM lands in the California Desert District
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