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Reduced Attendance
Anticipated at Glamis Imperial Sand Dunes
Canyon Country, CA (10/25/2010)
- As dune season approaches, the slow economy
is expected to continue its visible impact on
the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA).
Fewer visitors means fewer funds collected from
the Recreation Permit Sales. These funds pay for
emergency medical personnel, pit toilet maintenance
and trash dumpster service.
While trash dumpsters will remain available for
visitors, the disposal contract is written in
a manner that rewards a reduction in trash collection.
Another way to put it is “the more we dump,
the more it costs.” For this reason, the
American Sand Association (ASA) continues to promote
“Pack it in, pack it out.” This campaign
urges everyone to clean up their camp and transport
their trash all the way home. Rob Cohen, ASA member
who frequently visits the ISDRA stated, "If
we each haul our garbage back home and dump it
there, the dumpster funds can be used elsewhere
in the ISDRA for a greater benefit to us all."
For the 3rd consecutive year, The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) continues to outsource the sale
and distribution of the weekly and annual permits
to Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc (WEP).
WEP will manage permit sales, with BLM and Imperial
County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) handling compliance
enforcement. As in past seasons, visitors are
encouraged to purchase their permits prior to
arrival at the ISDRA to reduce the long lines
in areas of enforcement. Weekly and annual permits
are available at a variety of retailers in California
and Arizona, as well as online from the ASA web-site.
Despite fee increase considerations from the BLM,
permit prices will remain unchanged for the 4th
year in a row. They are $90 for an annual permit
and $25 for weekly pemits, unless the permits
are purchased on-site (i.e. from in-the-sand vendors,
including the Glamis Beach Store). On-site costs
are $120 and $40, respectively. Press Release
— American Sand Association Halloween weekend
will be the first trip of the season for many
visitors, and the dunes will be much different
than they were in the spring. As a result of shifting
prevailing winds seen over the summer, razorbacks
and witches eyes are more common. The hot summer
weather leaves less moisture in the sand resulting
in extremely soft slip-faces and leeward dune-tops.
As always, visitors are cautioned to watch out
for trick-or-treaters moving from camp to camp
after dark. The ASA reminds all dune users about
the importance of safety at the ISDRA. A free
safety DVD called "Take Time Out For Safety"
is available from the ASA’s web-site www.americansandassociation.com
with more information.
The recent Mojave Desert Racing tragedy brings
us to consider our own sand drags. The ASA encourages
everyone attending these areas to be alert while
observing; no person should be closer than 75
feet from the vehicles on the course. Repeating
this accident in the ISDRA would be nothing short
of a true tragedy in many aspects.
The enforcement of basic rules and laws will continue.
So, did you know...?
• In all areas of the ISDRA there is a 15
mph limit within 50 feet of camps or clusters
of people, including on sand highways.
• You can get a ticket for burning pallets
or any wood containing metal hardware or nails.
• It’s against the law to empty your
gray or black holding tanks onto the ground.
• Citations are being issued to parents
of ATV riders who are not ASI safety certified
and supervised by a parent or guardian.
• Operating an OHV while under the influence
of drugs or alcohol will earn the same DUI that
one would receive in a car on any highway.
• Having a properly mounted safety flag
is required.
The 2010-11 season promises to return us to the
good times we’ve known from the past. The
ASA encourages everyone to "Do the Right
Thing" for the dunes by complying with the
laws, being safe, purchasing passes before they
arrive, and packing their trash home.
About the American Sand
Association:
The American Sand Association is a non-profit
organization of approximately 32,000 members dedicated
to preserving the use of public lands for sand
sport enthusiasts’ use, improving OHV safety
and promoting responsible land use. Some local
sand sport areas include the Imperial Sand Dunes,
Oceano Dunes (Pismo Beach) and Dumont Dunes in
California, Sand Mountain in Nevada and Hotwell
Dunes in Arizona. The ASA is an all-volunteer
organization with no paid staff. We rely on the
financial support of sand sport enthusiasts and
small businesses. Most of the members are family-oriented,
have a rich family history going back for generations
enjoying the sand sport; and most have a significant
financial investment in their equipment, gear
and campers. Additional information can be found
on our web site at www.americansandassociation.org.
www.americansandassociation.org
P.O. Box 1872
Canyon Country, CA 91386
(888) 540-7263
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