Dave@desertfab.com
08-26-2005, 03:26 AM
Aug2005
August 23, 2005
*What's New August 2005* *LITTER Education Program - TRASH WILL
EQUAL CLOSURE - Take your trash HOME**
**Dune closure is threatened if litter management is not improved.
The dunes*/* */*MUST be LITTER FREE. Ravens and coyotes are predators
of the Desert Tortoise. The dumpsters are feeding grounds for ravens
and coyotes. The Biological Opinion issued by the USFWS requires that
the dumpsters must be raven and coyote proof. All trash on the ground
must be immediately removed -- day and night. *
/*LEO THE LIZARD Says "Report Litter Bugs"*/
"Leo the Lizard" plans to get around to visiting everyone!
You will see "Leo" everywhere!
Welcome "Leo" into your camp! Our plans to get the word out are:
· Mailed with ASA merchandise and membership renewals
· In shops and business on the counter
· At the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW (SSSS), at the gate and with
vendor sales
· With OHV parts shipments
· At Yuma, Brawley and El Centro duner pit stops
· With ISDRA vendors
· At Pair A Dice, Boardmanville, & Glamis Beach Store
· With BLM and ICSO personnel
· Buttercup camp host, Ranger Station, and the El Centro
Field Office
· With the ISDRA visitor passes
· Public service announcement in sand sport magazines
· With you at the dunes
CAN YOU HELP WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE?
Contact Bob Mason rwmskm@cox.net
{mailto:rwmskm@cox.net?subject=%20LEOtheLizard} 602 840 3229 or 602
818 1748 *Next ASA Open Board Meeting
*Oct. 22, 2005 at 9:00 AM
The Handlery Hotel
950 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA
Guest speakers from Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United Desert
Gateway (UDG), Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO)and the
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of CA State
Parks have been invited. Discussion topics and specific speakers will
be confirmed in the Sept. edition of "What's New."
*
* *September Newsletter**
*The next issue will be in the mail on September 1. An expanded
version (more pages) will be up on the website and sent out via a
mass email on the same date. Contact Jim Colln SANDUNERS@aol.com if
you have something you would like included.
*Orangewood RV "Pound Sand 2005"
*Scott Swenka is the coordinator for this two day event on OCT. 1 &
2 in Surprise, AZ at Orangewood RV at 11449 West Bell Road (114th
Ave. and Bell) This will be a fairly large affair with many OHV
displays, live music, free food and drink, several door prizes and an
opportunity to see the new ASA give a way car. FREE VENDOR BOOTH
SPACE. Contact Scott Swenka flags@americansandassociation.org or 480
390 3114. If he does not answer leave a voice mail.
*Quads Donated
*Cricket Sankovich has arranged for three "3" kids quads to be
donated. Two will be raffled at the MLK cleanup. Ticket sales ($1.00
ea.) will begin at the Sand Sports Super Show. The third quad has
been donated to UDG to be used as an incentive to encourage duners to
fill out a visitor's survey. Thanks to Cricket and to D&D Motorsports
of Apache Junction, AZ and RATV/MX Warehouse of Glendale, AZ for
their generous donation.
*ASA goes to the LA County Fair
*ASA has been invited to participate in the "Caring for the Land"
multi-agency exhibit at the LA County Fair (Sept. 9 - Oct. 2). ASA
will co-sponsor an "Environmental Magic" show that will feature
magician Paul Cash and his sidekick Glitter the rabbit. Paul and
Glitter will also make one appearance on the Heritage Stage at the
Sand Sports Super Show. The theme of his performance will reinforce
Litter Education at the dunes.
* Arizona Volunteer Steps Up
*Conrad Nelson glamis01@cox.net AZ Sales Rep for Advantage
Performance Distributing (ASA and ORBA Business Sponsor) calls on 80
shops in AZ. What a natural for getting the word out. Conrad will
distribute ASA Newsletters, flyers, and anything else that will help
the cause. Is there anyone in California who can provide similar
support? Please contact Lloyd Misner, ASA Volunteer Coordinator at
909 923 0679 or covairs123@hotmail.com
*United Desert Gateway News
*UDG will publish an annual Welcome newspaper that will hit the
street at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW. They are working on installing
5 new info Kiosks at ISDRA this upcoming season. Their website is
being developed and will include a FAQ's web page. They will kick off
their ISDRA Visitor Survey at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW. All of this
will be reviewed in detail at a meeting to be held in El Centro in
Sept. or Oct. The date and location will be announced at a later
time.
*SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW Plans
*The SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW Committee is ready. We have our new
canopies and banners. All merchandise is being taken care of. We are
going to kick off the Membership Drive at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW.
We also have an Information Booth at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW this
year and that is something new. This will be an additional ASA booth
inside and will be staffed by BOD members and others and will be
setup to inform the public of all things ISDRA. A TV will be there to
play the new ASA DVD and flyers/leaflets/handouts will be available
for anyone that wants to learn something. The outdoor booth will have
all the ASA merchandise and the Checkered Flags, Membership signups.
The Sand Limo will also be there on stage for all to see with another
booth setup for selling the tickets.
*Clean Up News*
The United Desert Gateway will team up with True Excitement and KD
Cycle to coordinate the annual Martin Luther King Day weekend cleanup
to be held in Glamis and Buttercup on January 14, 2006.
Representatives from each of the entities met recently to discuss the
details of the cleanup and to begin the sponsorship drive.
In commenting on the collaborative efforts of the three entities,
Jarrod Bullard of True excitement said, "I organized last year's
south dunes cleanup and I look forward to continuing with that and
working with the UDG and Kathy Godley from KD Cycle to carryout a
one-day cleanup of the entire Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area."
Nicole Gilles, president of the UDG, said "As a new organization we
are thrilled to be a part of a project that demonstrates our
commitment to keeping the dunes open through stewardship programs
such as the annual cleanup." "I'm really pleased that Bullard and
Godley will be spear heading the efforts as our south and north dunes
cleanup leaders," she added.
"The Glamis and Buttercup cleanups, although carried out on the same
day, will each have their own staging area, T-shirts, barbecue and
prize drawing," said Bullard.
The cleanup task force will be reaching out to local and region
businesses to assist with underwriting the cost of the event.
Sponsors of the cleanup will be recognized on a commemorative
t-shirt, poster and at the event. Bullard added, "This year's
sponsors will have an opportunity to sponsor one or both of the
events."
Anyone interested in sponsoring or assisting with the 2006 cleanup
is encouraged to visit www.glamis-cleanupup.org
{http://www.glamis-cleanup.org/}. For specific information on the
Glamis cleanup contact Godley at kdcycle@adelphia.net
{mailto:kdcycle@adelphia.net?subject=%20MLK%20Clea nup} or for the
south dunes email Bullard at info@trueexcitement.com
{mailto:info@trueexcitement.com?subject=%20MLK%20C leanup}
*ASA Chairman Back to DC Again*
The BLM Director of Law Enforcement and Security William Woody has
invited the Chairman of the ASA Board to be a guest speaker at a
meeting of Sheriff's and BLM law enforcement personnel from the
southwestern US. The discussion will focus on partnership building in
support of law enforcement activities.
*OHMVR Audit*
The results of some very aggressive efforts by the ASA, ORBA and
SDORC that began over 1 year ago to have the California State
Auditors Office audit the OHMVR Fund are finally here. After
presenting the various facts and inconsistencies to, and with the
help of, Sen. Bill Morrow, this audit was approved and initiated last
August. The audit was released on 8/17/05 and, in essence, states that
the fund was hijacked by people that weren't interested in OHV
opportunities.
The auditor's review of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation
Program (OHV program) revealed that:
· The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission
(commission) and the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
(division) have not developed a shared vision to implement an OHV
program that is balanced between OHV recreation and the environment.
· The division's recent strategic plan is incomplete and does
not include some important elements such as a comprehensive evaluation
of the external and internal factors that could affect the OHV
program.
· In the absence of a formally adopted strategy, the
commissioners vote to approve grants and cooperative agreements based
on their individual interests rather than on a strategy to achieve a
balanced program.
· Recent legal requirements to spend designated portions of
OHV program revenue for conservation, restoration, and law
enforcement have not been met and because the division has not set
aside the cash, a growing unfunded obligation exists.
· The division and the Department of Parks and Recreation
(department) have spent or earmarked $38 million for three land
acquisition projects-one completed and two under consideration-that
offer little or no additional OHV recreation.
· Based on a questionable legal interpretation and
inadequately supported cost estimates, the department is using
Off-Highway Trust Fund money-$3.6 million during fiscal year
2003-04-to support state parks that do not have OHV recreation.
· The division made questionable purchases of goods and
services using contracts paid with OHV funds and in numerous
instances violated state contracting rules.
· The division's management of the funds expended through
grants and cooperative agreements needs improvement.
*ASA, ORBA, and SDORC, the 3 lead organizations that pushed for the
audit, have this to say at this time:*
1) The audit is a long complicated document full of major
revelations. The core group of OHV organizations are pouring through
the document carefully. Any statements made now would be totally
premature and possibly incorrect.
2) When the core group agrees to a plan, it will be presented to all
interested parties who will be asked for input.
3) Input from all OHV lobbyists in Sacramento, as well as from
Senator Morrow's office, will be solicited.
4) A final document that describes the OHV Community's collective
concerns and planned course of action will be prepared.
5) All interested OHV organizations will be asked to sign a
signature page to this document (if they so desire).
6) Then, our collective position paper will be officially made
public and be available to post on organization websites.
7) Then, our current plan, is to have as many OHV Leaders as
possible go to Sacramento (probably the week after next) to do a
formal press release and press conference with Senator Morrow.
8)While in Sacramento, we would knock on doors of as many
legislators as possible asking for support.
This is subject to change as the effort continues but we feel it is
imperative that we keep any specific actions we might have discussed
to ourselves until we are all in agreement. For the first time that
we know of in history, the entire CA OHV community will be coalesced
around a major issue! This should have a major impact with our
Legislators in CA.
*ISDRA RAMP and Associated Lawsuits*
CBD's request for summary judgment that calls for the judge to rule
in favor of keeping the present temporary closures, voiding the
biological opinion, and increasing critical habitat designation for
the Peirson's milk vetch has been filed. Two weeks later ASA filed
our opposition to it as did the Department of the Interior. The 2
latter briefs were very strong and for all practical purposes, make
the argument of the CBD sound ridiculous.
A hearing is scheduled in San Francisco on 9/15 where both sides
make final verbal arguments in this 3 in 1 case. The final ruling is
slated for 9/30 also in San Francisco.
*PMV Delisting Efforts*
Art Phillip's studies are finalized for this season and are used
extensively in our newest delisting petition and the addendum to it.
FWS has accepted our new PMV delisting for review. That means FWS
recognizes it as a legitimate petition - not that they will grant a
delisting. This also means we can drop our suit challenging the
denial of the first delisting petition.
They have 90 days from receipt of the petition to issue a
preliminary finding as to whether or not the petition warrants
further investigation and review. If so warranted, they have another
9 months to complete the review and are required to give us a final
decision on the delisting. Since the Petition was logged in on
7/13/05, the preliminary finding is due 10/13/05 and final ruling is
due on 7/13/06.
Our attorney is doubtful that these deadlines will be met due to the
workload of FWS caused by all the litigation FWS currently faces. They
know that we won't stand for any long delays so things may move along
well enough to keep us at bay.
*Listing Another 17 Species*
Our legal staff is composing arguments against the listing of 17
other species at the ISDRA. The petition to list these species is
weak providing nothing more than conjecture and no conclusive
science.
*Camping Closure Opened*
*The 25,000-acre "no camping" closure east of the railroad tracks at
the ISDRA **are now Open*. Travel in this area is restricted to
existing trails. ASA spent $7000 toward this effort with CORVA taking
the lead with ORBA assisting in DC. Implementation of BLM's Northern
Eastern Colorado Desert (NECO) plan
reopened these lands. *The Temporary Closed dune areas at the ISDRA
are still closed until the RAMP is implemented.*
*Arizona Sand Expo*
The ASA will participate in the AZ Sand Expo that will be held at
the Arizona State Fair Grounds on Dec. 9 - 11. Volunteers will be
needed to man our booth. Watch the Nov. newsletter for more info.
*Checkered Flag Program*
Conrad Nelson and Don Johnson have joined the Checkered Flag
leadership team as co chairman of AZ CF activities. ASA CF Chairman,
Scott Swenka is looking for someone to take join the CF team to
coordinate California activities. Someone from the San Diego Area and
another volunteer for the LA area would be ideal. You can start by
helping out at the ASA SSSS CF booth. Contact Scott
flags@americansandassociation.org
{mailto:flags@americansandassociation.org?subject= Checkered%20Flags}
or by calling 480-390-3114. If he does not answer please leave a
voice mail.
Giveaway Car Schedule for 2005-06
The 2005-06 ASA raffle car will be unveiled at the SAND SPORTS SUPER
SHOW. A new display trailer has been donated by Weekend Warrior. The
trailer has lift up doors to enhance display capability. KS Sand Flag
will have the car on display at its Buttercup vending site on
Halloween. Other ISDRA vendors are welcome to do the same. The
following is a tentative schedule of car display opportunities.
*ISDRA vendors and others are invited to join the schedule.* Please
contact Ron Scott at rscott@lazerstar.com
{mailto:rscott@lazerstar.com?subject=RaffleCar} or 800 624 6234 to
confirm a date.
· Oct. 1 & 2, 2005 Orangewood RV Pound Sand 2005 Surprise, AZ
· Oct. 8 & 9 Off-Road Expo Pomona, CA
· Nov. 14 Cattle Call Brawley,CA
· Nov. 28-31 KS Sand Flags Buttercup
· Dec. 3 Tamale Fiesta El Centro, CA
· Dec. 9 - 11 Arizona Sand Expo Phoenix, AZ
· Dec. 23 - 27 Reserved for an ISDRA vendor Gordon's Well
· Dec. 29 - Jan 2 KS Sand Flags Buttercup
· Jan 14, 2006 UDG Clean up ISDRA
· Jan 21 Farmers Market El Centro, CA
· Presidents Day Reserved for an ISDRA vendor Glamis
· Easter Reserved for an ISDRA vendor Glamis
*Canal Construction Projects*
The ASA Board has asked Mike Gertsen to act as liaison with the
Imperial Irrigation District, BLM and the US Bureau of Reclamation re
the proposed canal modifications in the south dunes. Please contact
Mike at 928 344 5203 or yumadune@msn.com
{mailto:yumadune@msn.com?subject=Canal} Mike will provide periodic
status reports.
*Visitor Use Fees*
The Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) will be collecting fees
for the 2005, 06 season. *You will be required to have a permit
before setting up camp*. The BLM is finalizing details with the ICSO
to collect fees. Soon, more detailed information where to get season
and weekly passes will be available. As of this writing, permits will
be available at the same locations as always: retail outlets and seven
vending machines in the dunes. According to Sheriff Harold Carter, "To
make the permit system less intrusive and easier to monitor, ICSO will
employ state-of-the-art technology. The new machines will dispense a
new kind of permit employing a radio frequency identifier that allow
patrol officers to use handheld devices that scan vehicles for valid
permits."
*Slappy's ADOPT-A-WASH Program*
{http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=46343}|
CLICK HERE
{http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=46343} to
learn more and to signup.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Dedicated duners united together to protect and insure the pristine
beauty of Glamis.
Dedicated lovers of Mother Glamis, let us join together to protect
and insure her pristine beauty for future generations. Our duty as a
member requires us to carry bags in our backpacks for trash we see in
the dunes; we go out of our way to grab a cigarette butt and place it
in our pocket; we pick up cans and bottles and place them in our
coolers until no more can be filled; we notice and take action of
caution tape tied to a bush; We work hard to clean abandoned fire
pits filled with metals and glass. We walk our wash, pad, or flat
before we leave with bag in hand. We are the keepers of Mother
Glamis, and she is counting on us.
Thank you.
The American Sand Association
Unite, Inform, and Mobilize
August 23, 2005
*What's New August 2005* *LITTER Education Program - TRASH WILL
EQUAL CLOSURE - Take your trash HOME**
**Dune closure is threatened if litter management is not improved.
The dunes*/* */*MUST be LITTER FREE. Ravens and coyotes are predators
of the Desert Tortoise. The dumpsters are feeding grounds for ravens
and coyotes. The Biological Opinion issued by the USFWS requires that
the dumpsters must be raven and coyote proof. All trash on the ground
must be immediately removed -- day and night. *
/*LEO THE LIZARD Says "Report Litter Bugs"*/
"Leo the Lizard" plans to get around to visiting everyone!
You will see "Leo" everywhere!
Welcome "Leo" into your camp! Our plans to get the word out are:
· Mailed with ASA merchandise and membership renewals
· In shops and business on the counter
· At the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW (SSSS), at the gate and with
vendor sales
· With OHV parts shipments
· At Yuma, Brawley and El Centro duner pit stops
· With ISDRA vendors
· At Pair A Dice, Boardmanville, & Glamis Beach Store
· With BLM and ICSO personnel
· Buttercup camp host, Ranger Station, and the El Centro
Field Office
· With the ISDRA visitor passes
· Public service announcement in sand sport magazines
· With you at the dunes
CAN YOU HELP WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE?
Contact Bob Mason rwmskm@cox.net
{mailto:rwmskm@cox.net?subject=%20LEOtheLizard} 602 840 3229 or 602
818 1748 *Next ASA Open Board Meeting
*Oct. 22, 2005 at 9:00 AM
The Handlery Hotel
950 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA
Guest speakers from Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United Desert
Gateway (UDG), Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO)and the
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of CA State
Parks have been invited. Discussion topics and specific speakers will
be confirmed in the Sept. edition of "What's New."
*
* *September Newsletter**
*The next issue will be in the mail on September 1. An expanded
version (more pages) will be up on the website and sent out via a
mass email on the same date. Contact Jim Colln SANDUNERS@aol.com if
you have something you would like included.
*Orangewood RV "Pound Sand 2005"
*Scott Swenka is the coordinator for this two day event on OCT. 1 &
2 in Surprise, AZ at Orangewood RV at 11449 West Bell Road (114th
Ave. and Bell) This will be a fairly large affair with many OHV
displays, live music, free food and drink, several door prizes and an
opportunity to see the new ASA give a way car. FREE VENDOR BOOTH
SPACE. Contact Scott Swenka flags@americansandassociation.org or 480
390 3114. If he does not answer leave a voice mail.
*Quads Donated
*Cricket Sankovich has arranged for three "3" kids quads to be
donated. Two will be raffled at the MLK cleanup. Ticket sales ($1.00
ea.) will begin at the Sand Sports Super Show. The third quad has
been donated to UDG to be used as an incentive to encourage duners to
fill out a visitor's survey. Thanks to Cricket and to D&D Motorsports
of Apache Junction, AZ and RATV/MX Warehouse of Glendale, AZ for
their generous donation.
*ASA goes to the LA County Fair
*ASA has been invited to participate in the "Caring for the Land"
multi-agency exhibit at the LA County Fair (Sept. 9 - Oct. 2). ASA
will co-sponsor an "Environmental Magic" show that will feature
magician Paul Cash and his sidekick Glitter the rabbit. Paul and
Glitter will also make one appearance on the Heritage Stage at the
Sand Sports Super Show. The theme of his performance will reinforce
Litter Education at the dunes.
* Arizona Volunteer Steps Up
*Conrad Nelson glamis01@cox.net AZ Sales Rep for Advantage
Performance Distributing (ASA and ORBA Business Sponsor) calls on 80
shops in AZ. What a natural for getting the word out. Conrad will
distribute ASA Newsletters, flyers, and anything else that will help
the cause. Is there anyone in California who can provide similar
support? Please contact Lloyd Misner, ASA Volunteer Coordinator at
909 923 0679 or covairs123@hotmail.com
*United Desert Gateway News
*UDG will publish an annual Welcome newspaper that will hit the
street at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW. They are working on installing
5 new info Kiosks at ISDRA this upcoming season. Their website is
being developed and will include a FAQ's web page. They will kick off
their ISDRA Visitor Survey at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW. All of this
will be reviewed in detail at a meeting to be held in El Centro in
Sept. or Oct. The date and location will be announced at a later
time.
*SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW Plans
*The SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW Committee is ready. We have our new
canopies and banners. All merchandise is being taken care of. We are
going to kick off the Membership Drive at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW.
We also have an Information Booth at the SAND SPORTS SUPER SHOW this
year and that is something new. This will be an additional ASA booth
inside and will be staffed by BOD members and others and will be
setup to inform the public of all things ISDRA. A TV will be there to
play the new ASA DVD and flyers/leaflets/handouts will be available
for anyone that wants to learn something. The outdoor booth will have
all the ASA merchandise and the Checkered Flags, Membership signups.
The Sand Limo will also be there on stage for all to see with another
booth setup for selling the tickets.
*Clean Up News*
The United Desert Gateway will team up with True Excitement and KD
Cycle to coordinate the annual Martin Luther King Day weekend cleanup
to be held in Glamis and Buttercup on January 14, 2006.
Representatives from each of the entities met recently to discuss the
details of the cleanup and to begin the sponsorship drive.
In commenting on the collaborative efforts of the three entities,
Jarrod Bullard of True excitement said, "I organized last year's
south dunes cleanup and I look forward to continuing with that and
working with the UDG and Kathy Godley from KD Cycle to carryout a
one-day cleanup of the entire Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area."
Nicole Gilles, president of the UDG, said "As a new organization we
are thrilled to be a part of a project that demonstrates our
commitment to keeping the dunes open through stewardship programs
such as the annual cleanup." "I'm really pleased that Bullard and
Godley will be spear heading the efforts as our south and north dunes
cleanup leaders," she added.
"The Glamis and Buttercup cleanups, although carried out on the same
day, will each have their own staging area, T-shirts, barbecue and
prize drawing," said Bullard.
The cleanup task force will be reaching out to local and region
businesses to assist with underwriting the cost of the event.
Sponsors of the cleanup will be recognized on a commemorative
t-shirt, poster and at the event. Bullard added, "This year's
sponsors will have an opportunity to sponsor one or both of the
events."
Anyone interested in sponsoring or assisting with the 2006 cleanup
is encouraged to visit www.glamis-cleanupup.org
{http://www.glamis-cleanup.org/}. For specific information on the
Glamis cleanup contact Godley at kdcycle@adelphia.net
{mailto:kdcycle@adelphia.net?subject=%20MLK%20Clea nup} or for the
south dunes email Bullard at info@trueexcitement.com
{mailto:info@trueexcitement.com?subject=%20MLK%20C leanup}
*ASA Chairman Back to DC Again*
The BLM Director of Law Enforcement and Security William Woody has
invited the Chairman of the ASA Board to be a guest speaker at a
meeting of Sheriff's and BLM law enforcement personnel from the
southwestern US. The discussion will focus on partnership building in
support of law enforcement activities.
*OHMVR Audit*
The results of some very aggressive efforts by the ASA, ORBA and
SDORC that began over 1 year ago to have the California State
Auditors Office audit the OHMVR Fund are finally here. After
presenting the various facts and inconsistencies to, and with the
help of, Sen. Bill Morrow, this audit was approved and initiated last
August. The audit was released on 8/17/05 and, in essence, states that
the fund was hijacked by people that weren't interested in OHV
opportunities.
The auditor's review of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation
Program (OHV program) revealed that:
· The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission
(commission) and the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
(division) have not developed a shared vision to implement an OHV
program that is balanced between OHV recreation and the environment.
· The division's recent strategic plan is incomplete and does
not include some important elements such as a comprehensive evaluation
of the external and internal factors that could affect the OHV
program.
· In the absence of a formally adopted strategy, the
commissioners vote to approve grants and cooperative agreements based
on their individual interests rather than on a strategy to achieve a
balanced program.
· Recent legal requirements to spend designated portions of
OHV program revenue for conservation, restoration, and law
enforcement have not been met and because the division has not set
aside the cash, a growing unfunded obligation exists.
· The division and the Department of Parks and Recreation
(department) have spent or earmarked $38 million for three land
acquisition projects-one completed and two under consideration-that
offer little or no additional OHV recreation.
· Based on a questionable legal interpretation and
inadequately supported cost estimates, the department is using
Off-Highway Trust Fund money-$3.6 million during fiscal year
2003-04-to support state parks that do not have OHV recreation.
· The division made questionable purchases of goods and
services using contracts paid with OHV funds and in numerous
instances violated state contracting rules.
· The division's management of the funds expended through
grants and cooperative agreements needs improvement.
*ASA, ORBA, and SDORC, the 3 lead organizations that pushed for the
audit, have this to say at this time:*
1) The audit is a long complicated document full of major
revelations. The core group of OHV organizations are pouring through
the document carefully. Any statements made now would be totally
premature and possibly incorrect.
2) When the core group agrees to a plan, it will be presented to all
interested parties who will be asked for input.
3) Input from all OHV lobbyists in Sacramento, as well as from
Senator Morrow's office, will be solicited.
4) A final document that describes the OHV Community's collective
concerns and planned course of action will be prepared.
5) All interested OHV organizations will be asked to sign a
signature page to this document (if they so desire).
6) Then, our collective position paper will be officially made
public and be available to post on organization websites.
7) Then, our current plan, is to have as many OHV Leaders as
possible go to Sacramento (probably the week after next) to do a
formal press release and press conference with Senator Morrow.
8)While in Sacramento, we would knock on doors of as many
legislators as possible asking for support.
This is subject to change as the effort continues but we feel it is
imperative that we keep any specific actions we might have discussed
to ourselves until we are all in agreement. For the first time that
we know of in history, the entire CA OHV community will be coalesced
around a major issue! This should have a major impact with our
Legislators in CA.
*ISDRA RAMP and Associated Lawsuits*
CBD's request for summary judgment that calls for the judge to rule
in favor of keeping the present temporary closures, voiding the
biological opinion, and increasing critical habitat designation for
the Peirson's milk vetch has been filed. Two weeks later ASA filed
our opposition to it as did the Department of the Interior. The 2
latter briefs were very strong and for all practical purposes, make
the argument of the CBD sound ridiculous.
A hearing is scheduled in San Francisco on 9/15 where both sides
make final verbal arguments in this 3 in 1 case. The final ruling is
slated for 9/30 also in San Francisco.
*PMV Delisting Efforts*
Art Phillip's studies are finalized for this season and are used
extensively in our newest delisting petition and the addendum to it.
FWS has accepted our new PMV delisting for review. That means FWS
recognizes it as a legitimate petition - not that they will grant a
delisting. This also means we can drop our suit challenging the
denial of the first delisting petition.
They have 90 days from receipt of the petition to issue a
preliminary finding as to whether or not the petition warrants
further investigation and review. If so warranted, they have another
9 months to complete the review and are required to give us a final
decision on the delisting. Since the Petition was logged in on
7/13/05, the preliminary finding is due 10/13/05 and final ruling is
due on 7/13/06.
Our attorney is doubtful that these deadlines will be met due to the
workload of FWS caused by all the litigation FWS currently faces. They
know that we won't stand for any long delays so things may move along
well enough to keep us at bay.
*Listing Another 17 Species*
Our legal staff is composing arguments against the listing of 17
other species at the ISDRA. The petition to list these species is
weak providing nothing more than conjecture and no conclusive
science.
*Camping Closure Opened*
*The 25,000-acre "no camping" closure east of the railroad tracks at
the ISDRA **are now Open*. Travel in this area is restricted to
existing trails. ASA spent $7000 toward this effort with CORVA taking
the lead with ORBA assisting in DC. Implementation of BLM's Northern
Eastern Colorado Desert (NECO) plan
reopened these lands. *The Temporary Closed dune areas at the ISDRA
are still closed until the RAMP is implemented.*
*Arizona Sand Expo*
The ASA will participate in the AZ Sand Expo that will be held at
the Arizona State Fair Grounds on Dec. 9 - 11. Volunteers will be
needed to man our booth. Watch the Nov. newsletter for more info.
*Checkered Flag Program*
Conrad Nelson and Don Johnson have joined the Checkered Flag
leadership team as co chairman of AZ CF activities. ASA CF Chairman,
Scott Swenka is looking for someone to take join the CF team to
coordinate California activities. Someone from the San Diego Area and
another volunteer for the LA area would be ideal. You can start by
helping out at the ASA SSSS CF booth. Contact Scott
flags@americansandassociation.org
{mailto:flags@americansandassociation.org?subject= Checkered%20Flags}
or by calling 480-390-3114. If he does not answer please leave a
voice mail.
Giveaway Car Schedule for 2005-06
The 2005-06 ASA raffle car will be unveiled at the SAND SPORTS SUPER
SHOW. A new display trailer has been donated by Weekend Warrior. The
trailer has lift up doors to enhance display capability. KS Sand Flag
will have the car on display at its Buttercup vending site on
Halloween. Other ISDRA vendors are welcome to do the same. The
following is a tentative schedule of car display opportunities.
*ISDRA vendors and others are invited to join the schedule.* Please
contact Ron Scott at rscott@lazerstar.com
{mailto:rscott@lazerstar.com?subject=RaffleCar} or 800 624 6234 to
confirm a date.
· Oct. 1 & 2, 2005 Orangewood RV Pound Sand 2005 Surprise, AZ
· Oct. 8 & 9 Off-Road Expo Pomona, CA
· Nov. 14 Cattle Call Brawley,CA
· Nov. 28-31 KS Sand Flags Buttercup
· Dec. 3 Tamale Fiesta El Centro, CA
· Dec. 9 - 11 Arizona Sand Expo Phoenix, AZ
· Dec. 23 - 27 Reserved for an ISDRA vendor Gordon's Well
· Dec. 29 - Jan 2 KS Sand Flags Buttercup
· Jan 14, 2006 UDG Clean up ISDRA
· Jan 21 Farmers Market El Centro, CA
· Presidents Day Reserved for an ISDRA vendor Glamis
· Easter Reserved for an ISDRA vendor Glamis
*Canal Construction Projects*
The ASA Board has asked Mike Gertsen to act as liaison with the
Imperial Irrigation District, BLM and the US Bureau of Reclamation re
the proposed canal modifications in the south dunes. Please contact
Mike at 928 344 5203 or yumadune@msn.com
{mailto:yumadune@msn.com?subject=Canal} Mike will provide periodic
status reports.
*Visitor Use Fees*
The Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) will be collecting fees
for the 2005, 06 season. *You will be required to have a permit
before setting up camp*. The BLM is finalizing details with the ICSO
to collect fees. Soon, more detailed information where to get season
and weekly passes will be available. As of this writing, permits will
be available at the same locations as always: retail outlets and seven
vending machines in the dunes. According to Sheriff Harold Carter, "To
make the permit system less intrusive and easier to monitor, ICSO will
employ state-of-the-art technology. The new machines will dispense a
new kind of permit employing a radio frequency identifier that allow
patrol officers to use handheld devices that scan vehicles for valid
permits."
*Slappy's ADOPT-A-WASH Program*
{http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=46343}|
CLICK HERE
{http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=46343} to
learn more and to signup.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Dedicated duners united together to protect and insure the pristine
beauty of Glamis.
Dedicated lovers of Mother Glamis, let us join together to protect
and insure her pristine beauty for future generations. Our duty as a
member requires us to carry bags in our backpacks for trash we see in
the dunes; we go out of our way to grab a cigarette butt and place it
in our pocket; we pick up cans and bottles and place them in our
coolers until no more can be filled; we notice and take action of
caution tape tied to a bush; We work hard to clean abandoned fire
pits filled with metals and glass. We walk our wash, pad, or flat
before we leave with bag in hand. We are the keepers of Mother
Glamis, and she is counting on us.
Thank you.
The American Sand Association
Unite, Inform, and Mobilize