FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:NEW WASH ROAD, AREA IMPROVEMENTS GREET ISDRA THANKSGIVING REVELERS
The ASA encourages dunes visitors to become aware of the recent changes and area improvements before heading to the ISDRA for their annual Thanksgiving Holiday vacation.
Canyon Country, CA (November 19, 2009) — As the Thanksgiving Holiday traditionally brings the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) its season-high visitor counts, this becomes the best time to educate visitors about the changes that have occurred since last season. Most notably are a New Access Road, Dumpster Program, and Enforcement Priorities, all of which will greet this season’s turkey feasting families. Most importantly, however, and as always, Safety amongst all dune users is strongly emphasized. Below is more information about these new changes and improvement to the ISDRA.
In response to the Union Pacific Railroad’s decision to restrict public access to its maintenance road, the Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Office (BLM) and several volunteers scrambled in the heat of summer to construct a New Access Road to the Glamis area washes at the ISDRA. The road, designated for street legal vehicles only, is to the west of the old wash road, and provides access to the South from State Route 78 to Wash 25. As posted on the American Sand Association’s (ASA) bulletin board: “Volunteers Darin Iezzi, Jay Walls and myself, Thom Gell, want to say thanks for the opportunity to be involved in this awesome project.”
This road includes a staging area for several trash dumpsters, which are funded by the Permit Program through the BLM’s trash contract for the 2009/10 season. The ASA reminds all visitors that “Pack it in, Pack it home” will require fewer dumpsters, which will thereby free-up funding for other critical services within the ISDRA. The reason for this is that the BLM is charged for trash collection on a per-tonnage basis.
Some of the popular routes of travel have changed in the Glamis area. No vehicles are allowed on the Original Wash Road or through the Wash 10 under-crossing. Only street legal vehicles can cross the tracks at State Highway 78 and travel on Ted Kipf Road. OHVs can not legally cross over or under the tracks in Glamis or travel on Ted Kipf Road.
Concurrently, all dune users are encouraged to know the law, particularly applicable to youth all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders. According to Vicki Wood, BLM El Centro Field Office manager, “BLM will continue its education campaign to increase awareness and compliance of youth ATV rider rules in effect since 1988. If a child is found to be riding without an ATV Safety Certificate or is unsupervised, the parent or guardian will be ticketed.” In response, the American Desert Foundation is offering ATV Rider Certification classes at Glamis this year to fulfill the California State requirements. These ASI certified 1/2-day classes will be held on selected dates, now through May, 2010. For dates and times, visit <http://www.americandesertfoundation.com>.
As we all prepare for the big Turkey Day trip, the ASA reminds all visitors to take a “Time Out for Safety.” A DVD by this same name is available online at the ASA web-site for only the cost of shipping and handling. The DVD covers all manners of hazards that may be found in the dunes, and provides tips and techniques for everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday.
In closing, the ASA would like to extend a warm welcome to all dune visitors this season, and remind fellow enthusiasts that the ASA web-site has a vast amount of information and resources related to the off-roading hobby. To access this information and learn more about the ISDRA, please visit <http://www.asasand.com/>##########
About The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area:
The ISDRA is located 25 miles west of Yuma Arizona in the California desert that consists of Sand Dunes stretching 40 miles into Mexico. This popular recreation area is ideally suited for Off Road recreation and is visited by 250,000 visitors a year.
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About The American Sand Association:
The American Sand Association is a non-profit organization of approximately 34,000 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 a volunteer organization and it relies 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 the ASA web-site at <www.americansandassociation.org>.