Dunes battle is far from over - ISDRA
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04-24-2002, 01:06 AM
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Dunes battle is far from over
BY LUKE TURF
Apr 23, 2002
The environmentalists whose lawsuit helped close part of the Imperial Sand Dunes to off-road use may seek a court-ordered closure of the entire area if the closed areas are reopened.
The latest chapter in a battle between off-roaders and conservationists will be written by the mediator, the Bureau of Land Management when the bureau implements a new plan regulating usage of the dunes. But all three parties acknowledge the debate is far from over.
In a letter sent to several Yuma officials, Daniel Patterson, desert ecologist from the Center for Biological Diversity, wrote, "if the BLM draft goes through to re-open all the currently protected areas, we may have no other legal options but to move for complete dunes closure, which is not what we want to do."
The bureau temporarily closed 49,000 acres of dunes to off-roaders in November 2000, in response to a lawsuit filed by the center and other groups. The lawsuit alleged federal agencies (one of which was the bureau) weren't doing enough to protect threatened and endangered species. As part of a settlement, the bureau instituted the temporary closures until it could create a new management plan of the area.
Patterson has said he doesn't want to see the entire dunes closed to off-roaders. Nonetheless, Patterson maintains he has enough evidence to convince a judge that all of the dunes need to be closed to off-roaders to protect the Pierson's milk-vetch, which is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
The bureau is holding a meeting from 7 to 10 tonight at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive, to hear public comment about the Recreation Area Management Plan. The plan, which took 2 years to make, is designed to be a resolution of the battle between duners and conservation groups.
This is the fifth of six meetings in Arizona and California to deal with the heated debate in the dunes. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which is being held to gather public opinions before the bureau decides what to do with the dunes.
And duners are answering the call.
Mike Reilly, a Yuman duner recently took out an ad in The Sun, challenging duners to attend the meeting. The ad uses sarcasm to encourage duners to get out and speak their mind.
"Please don't come," the ad states. "Your lack of interest in outdoor recreation areas and your city's economy will continue to make it easy for them to close all of our public lands."
Reilly said lifting the temporary closures to off-roaders permanently is worth the risk of Patterson and the center filing a suit to close all the dunes.
Perhaps the main reason a meeting is being held in Yuma is the economy — which is also why Patterson sent the letter.
Several off-road businesses depend on the dunes for survival, and the bureau estimates the economic benefit of the dunes in Yuma is $13 million, including gas, restaurants and groceries. The bureau used an economic research group from California State University, Chico.
But Patterson said conserving half of the dunes for non-motorized recreation like hiking will diversify the visitors and generate revenue in other areas. Patterson estimates he and the center have spent more than $3,500 in Yuma related to dunes visitation since September 2000 and predicts more money will follow if the bureau encourages more hikers to come to the area.
Delmar Foote is one of the off-road business owners dependent on the dunes. Foote's business, KD Cycle, sells off-roading equipment and gear.
Foote said he thinks off-roading generates even more money for Yuma than estimated by the bureau. Foote is among the off-roaders who think the center is abusing environmental laws and using "frivolous" lawsuits to keep the dunes closed.
Though four alternatives for dunes management are already written, the bureau has identified its second alternative as its "preferred alternative." That alternative lifts the bans almost completely. Of the 49,000 acres of closures, 14,000 would be open to unlimited off-roading, while 34,000 would be limited to 525 vehicles at a time and duners would need to pass an environmental education course or accompany someone who had to gain access, said Roxie Trost, the bureau's resources branch chief in El Centro.
The conservationists oppose lifting the bans, and the off-roaders oppose some of the other regulations in the preferred alternatives, including a capacity on the dunes, speed limits and curfews.
Anyone who can't make tonight's meeting can send the bureau's El Centro office a letter or e-mail their comments to caisd@ca.blm.gov until June 28. Trost said after all public comments are collected, the bureau will revise the draft of its management plan and begin another period of public comment known as the protest period. Trost said the bureau's goal is to have a signed record of decision Oct. 2, and she is "probably" anticipating lawsuits from off-roaders, conservationists or both.
"It's a passionate project," Trost said.
Luke Turf can be reached at lturf@yumasun.com or 539-6858.
© Copyright, YumaSun.com
BY LUKE TURF
Apr 23, 2002
The environmentalists whose lawsuit helped close part of the Imperial Sand Dunes to off-road use may seek a court-ordered closure of the entire area if the closed areas are reopened.
The latest chapter in a battle between off-roaders and conservationists will be written by the mediator, the Bureau of Land Management when the bureau implements a new plan regulating usage of the dunes. But all three parties acknowledge the debate is far from over.
In a letter sent to several Yuma officials, Daniel Patterson, desert ecologist from the Center for Biological Diversity, wrote, "if the BLM draft goes through to re-open all the currently protected areas, we may have no other legal options but to move for complete dunes closure, which is not what we want to do."
The bureau temporarily closed 49,000 acres of dunes to off-roaders in November 2000, in response to a lawsuit filed by the center and other groups. The lawsuit alleged federal agencies (one of which was the bureau) weren't doing enough to protect threatened and endangered species. As part of a settlement, the bureau instituted the temporary closures until it could create a new management plan of the area.
Patterson has said he doesn't want to see the entire dunes closed to off-roaders. Nonetheless, Patterson maintains he has enough evidence to convince a judge that all of the dunes need to be closed to off-roaders to protect the Pierson's milk-vetch, which is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
The bureau is holding a meeting from 7 to 10 tonight at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive, to hear public comment about the Recreation Area Management Plan. The plan, which took 2 years to make, is designed to be a resolution of the battle between duners and conservation groups.
This is the fifth of six meetings in Arizona and California to deal with the heated debate in the dunes. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which is being held to gather public opinions before the bureau decides what to do with the dunes.
And duners are answering the call.
Mike Reilly, a Yuman duner recently took out an ad in The Sun, challenging duners to attend the meeting. The ad uses sarcasm to encourage duners to get out and speak their mind.
"Please don't come," the ad states. "Your lack of interest in outdoor recreation areas and your city's economy will continue to make it easy for them to close all of our public lands."
Reilly said lifting the temporary closures to off-roaders permanently is worth the risk of Patterson and the center filing a suit to close all the dunes.
Perhaps the main reason a meeting is being held in Yuma is the economy — which is also why Patterson sent the letter.
Several off-road businesses depend on the dunes for survival, and the bureau estimates the economic benefit of the dunes in Yuma is $13 million, including gas, restaurants and groceries. The bureau used an economic research group from California State University, Chico.
But Patterson said conserving half of the dunes for non-motorized recreation like hiking will diversify the visitors and generate revenue in other areas. Patterson estimates he and the center have spent more than $3,500 in Yuma related to dunes visitation since September 2000 and predicts more money will follow if the bureau encourages more hikers to come to the area.
Delmar Foote is one of the off-road business owners dependent on the dunes. Foote's business, KD Cycle, sells off-roading equipment and gear.
Foote said he thinks off-roading generates even more money for Yuma than estimated by the bureau. Foote is among the off-roaders who think the center is abusing environmental laws and using "frivolous" lawsuits to keep the dunes closed.
Though four alternatives for dunes management are already written, the bureau has identified its second alternative as its "preferred alternative." That alternative lifts the bans almost completely. Of the 49,000 acres of closures, 14,000 would be open to unlimited off-roading, while 34,000 would be limited to 525 vehicles at a time and duners would need to pass an environmental education course or accompany someone who had to gain access, said Roxie Trost, the bureau's resources branch chief in El Centro.
The conservationists oppose lifting the bans, and the off-roaders oppose some of the other regulations in the preferred alternatives, including a capacity on the dunes, speed limits and curfews.
Anyone who can't make tonight's meeting can send the bureau's El Centro office a letter or e-mail their comments to caisd@ca.blm.gov until June 28. Trost said after all public comments are collected, the bureau will revise the draft of its management plan and begin another period of public comment known as the protest period. Trost said the bureau's goal is to have a signed record of decision Oct. 2, and she is "probably" anticipating lawsuits from off-roaders, conservationists or both.
"It's a passionate project," Trost said.
Luke Turf can be reached at lturf@yumasun.com or 539-6858.
© Copyright, YumaSun.com
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04-24-2002, 02:42 AM
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From the American Sand Association
Dear Fellow Duner,
How the BLM plans to manage the ISDRA will affect the way we enjoy the
dunes. By law, the BLM must submit their PROPOSED plan to the public so we can comment on it. It decides how the dunes will be run for the next 10 to 15 years.
In its present form, the plan contains many restrictions and many ways to lock us out of the dunes. We can help change this by making useful comments on the new plan. WE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS AT THE MEETINGS LISTED BELOW. FORM LETTERS WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE.
Bring a pen to write with - we'll supply the comment form(s) and ideas to put on them.
Please plan to attend one of these meetings - your right to ride depends on it. We will notify you as additional details and meetings are finalized.
THIS SUNDAY
SUNDAY APRIL 28
2 PM
RICHARD'S ATV
7012 N 56 AVE.
GLENDALE, AZ
623 939 3181
Thursday May 2
7:00 PM
El Cajon Chamber Of Commerce
195 E. Douglas Ave.
El Cajon, CA
Thursday May 9
7:00 PM
Escondido Community Center
2245 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA
Saturday May 11
1 PM
Tatum Motorsports
8741 N 79th Ave.
Peoria, AZ
623 979-0808
Wednesday May 15
7:00 PM
Mission Valley Scottish Rite Center
1895 Camino Del Rio S.
Mission Valley, CA
Tues. May 21
Time: 7 PM
El Torito Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
2020 E. Ball Rd.
Anaheim CA 92806
714-956-4880 Phone
X street: State College
"Taco Tuesday"
Thursday May 23rd
7:00pm
Long Beach Motorsports
3291 Cherry Ave.
Long Beach CA. 90813
562-427-2779 Bob or Moe
Saturday June 1
2 PM
Di-Tec Int.
1850 Lucky Lane
Simi Valley, 93063
Thursday June 6
7pm
Funco Motorsports
1280 N. Fitzgerald Ave.
Unit F
Rialto, CA
909-421-2558
Bring a chair and a pen
Saturday June 8
2 PM
Orange County Fairgrounds
Building 17
Costa Mesa CA
Thursday June 20
7 PM
Sand Tires Unlimited
42198 Avenida Alvarado
Temecula, CA 92590
Bring a chair and a pen
The ASA
American Sand Association
Dear Fellow Duner,
How the BLM plans to manage the ISDRA will affect the way we enjoy the
dunes. By law, the BLM must submit their PROPOSED plan to the public so we can comment on it. It decides how the dunes will be run for the next 10 to 15 years.
In its present form, the plan contains many restrictions and many ways to lock us out of the dunes. We can help change this by making useful comments on the new plan. WE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS AT THE MEETINGS LISTED BELOW. FORM LETTERS WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE.
Bring a pen to write with - we'll supply the comment form(s) and ideas to put on them.
Please plan to attend one of these meetings - your right to ride depends on it. We will notify you as additional details and meetings are finalized.
THIS SUNDAY
SUNDAY APRIL 28
2 PM
RICHARD'S ATV
7012 N 56 AVE.
GLENDALE, AZ
623 939 3181
Thursday May 2
7:00 PM
El Cajon Chamber Of Commerce
195 E. Douglas Ave.
El Cajon, CA
Thursday May 9
7:00 PM
Escondido Community Center
2245 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA
Saturday May 11
1 PM
Tatum Motorsports
8741 N 79th Ave.
Peoria, AZ
623 979-0808
Wednesday May 15
7:00 PM
Mission Valley Scottish Rite Center
1895 Camino Del Rio S.
Mission Valley, CA
Tues. May 21
Time: 7 PM
El Torito Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
2020 E. Ball Rd.
Anaheim CA 92806
714-956-4880 Phone
X street: State College
"Taco Tuesday"
Thursday May 23rd
7:00pm
Long Beach Motorsports
3291 Cherry Ave.
Long Beach CA. 90813
562-427-2779 Bob or Moe
Saturday June 1
2 PM
Di-Tec Int.
1850 Lucky Lane
Simi Valley, 93063
Thursday June 6
7pm
Funco Motorsports
1280 N. Fitzgerald Ave.
Unit F
Rialto, CA
909-421-2558
Bring a chair and a pen
Saturday June 8
2 PM
Orange County Fairgrounds
Building 17
Costa Mesa CA
Thursday June 20
7 PM
Sand Tires Unlimited
42198 Avenida Alvarado
Temecula, CA 92590
Bring a chair and a pen
The ASA
American Sand Association
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04-25-2002, 02:16 AM
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BLM catches heat over dunes plan
BY LUKE TURF
Apr 24, 2002
About 300 people packed into a stuffy room Tuesday night mostly to vent frustrations toward the Bureau of Land Management about its new proposals for running the Imperial Sand Dunes.
The temperature of the room — and tempers of the speakers — soared through the evening. After filling out a card, dozens of people had the opportunity to address bureau officials ranging from environmental experts to law enforcement officials.
Of the first 25 speakers, none approved of the bureau's preferred alternative for running the dunes which includes vehicle limits on the entire area and limited off-road vehicle access in certain areas. The bureau's new dunes management strategy lifts the 49,000 acres currently closed to off-road vehicles. The closures were a temporary measure instituted to protect the threatened Pierson's milk-vetch. But some of the re-opened areas will have restrictions including capacity limits and permit requirements.
Off-roaders and business owners dependent on the off-roading market dominated the crowd. Only two of the first 25 speakers were opposed to lifting the bans to off-road use.
"The dunes are not just a big sand box to play in, they are not barren," said Cary Meister, the conservation chairman for the Yuma Audubon Society.
Meister said species related to the milk-vetch are being used for medicinal purposes and some scientific secrets may lie undiscovered in the dunes.
"It may turn out someday that Pierson's milk-vetch will save someone's life in this room, we need to save it," Meister said.
Meister said the best thing to do is keep the temporary closures in place.
Another speaker who agreed with keeping the temporary closures in place was Frank Bonnet. But Bonnet had very different reasons for doing so. He said by leaving the temporary closures in place the bureau could give law enforcement officials an opportunity to clear all law-breakers out of the area making room for the family-oriented dunes visitor.
Several of the bureau's law enforcement policies for the dunes came under attack. Among those is a capacity on the dunes, curfews and speed limits.
Sarah Woodman was one speaker opposed to the curfews.
"I just don't think you should let a few bad seeds spoil the area for everybody," Woodman said suggesting curfews only be placed on children.
But overall people feared the bureau's management of the dunes would drive people away from the area and have a negative effect on Yuma's economy.
One speaker, Greg Ferguson, said he's afraid if people are shut out of the dunes they'll head to privately-owned areas near Yuma and the Foothills and ride their vehicles there.
"The dunes are public lands," Ferguson said echoing the overall discontent of the room with the bureau trying to impose so many regulations on land they believe they pay to access through taxes.
Several people mocked the environmental groups behind the lawsuits that closed the dunes in the first place. A hired mediator of the discussion expressed discontent with speaker Flash Farrar, who generated a booming applause with his harsh rhetoric.
Farrar said he's fed up with (a description not fit for print) “liberals” trying to put the world "in a glass jar." Farrar said he's never used the dunes and probably never will, but he's fed up with agencies like the bureau oppressing his rights.
Still others said they just don't want to lose the dunes because they are so important to their families.
Longtime Yuma resident Don McCain said the most endangered species of all is the family unit.
"Please don't deny any family unit the area," McCain said.
Another meeting is scheduled in San Diego Thursday and anyone who wants to give the bureau any feedback about the Recreation Area Management Plan, which focuses on the bureau's preferred management alternative, or the Environmental Impact Statement which looks at the range of alternatives can send an e-mail to caisd@ca.blm.gov.
After all comments are collected the bureau will revise its draft for management of the dunes and release the final document to the public for a thirty day protest period. By October the bureau hopes to have a signed record of decision and begin implementing it providing the process is not interrupted with litigation.
BY LUKE TURF
Apr 24, 2002
About 300 people packed into a stuffy room Tuesday night mostly to vent frustrations toward the Bureau of Land Management about its new proposals for running the Imperial Sand Dunes.
The temperature of the room — and tempers of the speakers — soared through the evening. After filling out a card, dozens of people had the opportunity to address bureau officials ranging from environmental experts to law enforcement officials.
Of the first 25 speakers, none approved of the bureau's preferred alternative for running the dunes which includes vehicle limits on the entire area and limited off-road vehicle access in certain areas. The bureau's new dunes management strategy lifts the 49,000 acres currently closed to off-road vehicles. The closures were a temporary measure instituted to protect the threatened Pierson's milk-vetch. But some of the re-opened areas will have restrictions including capacity limits and permit requirements.
Off-roaders and business owners dependent on the off-roading market dominated the crowd. Only two of the first 25 speakers were opposed to lifting the bans to off-road use.
"The dunes are not just a big sand box to play in, they are not barren," said Cary Meister, the conservation chairman for the Yuma Audubon Society.
Meister said species related to the milk-vetch are being used for medicinal purposes and some scientific secrets may lie undiscovered in the dunes.
"It may turn out someday that Pierson's milk-vetch will save someone's life in this room, we need to save it," Meister said.
Meister said the best thing to do is keep the temporary closures in place.
Another speaker who agreed with keeping the temporary closures in place was Frank Bonnet. But Bonnet had very different reasons for doing so. He said by leaving the temporary closures in place the bureau could give law enforcement officials an opportunity to clear all law-breakers out of the area making room for the family-oriented dunes visitor.
Several of the bureau's law enforcement policies for the dunes came under attack. Among those is a capacity on the dunes, curfews and speed limits.
Sarah Woodman was one speaker opposed to the curfews.
"I just don't think you should let a few bad seeds spoil the area for everybody," Woodman said suggesting curfews only be placed on children.
But overall people feared the bureau's management of the dunes would drive people away from the area and have a negative effect on Yuma's economy.
One speaker, Greg Ferguson, said he's afraid if people are shut out of the dunes they'll head to privately-owned areas near Yuma and the Foothills and ride their vehicles there.
"The dunes are public lands," Ferguson said echoing the overall discontent of the room with the bureau trying to impose so many regulations on land they believe they pay to access through taxes.
Several people mocked the environmental groups behind the lawsuits that closed the dunes in the first place. A hired mediator of the discussion expressed discontent with speaker Flash Farrar, who generated a booming applause with his harsh rhetoric.
Farrar said he's fed up with (a description not fit for print) “liberals” trying to put the world "in a glass jar." Farrar said he's never used the dunes and probably never will, but he's fed up with agencies like the bureau oppressing his rights.
Still others said they just don't want to lose the dunes because they are so important to their families.
Longtime Yuma resident Don McCain said the most endangered species of all is the family unit.
"Please don't deny any family unit the area," McCain said.
Another meeting is scheduled in San Diego Thursday and anyone who wants to give the bureau any feedback about the Recreation Area Management Plan, which focuses on the bureau's preferred management alternative, or the Environmental Impact Statement which looks at the range of alternatives can send an e-mail to caisd@ca.blm.gov.
After all comments are collected the bureau will revise its draft for management of the dunes and release the final document to the public for a thirty day protest period. By October the bureau hopes to have a signed record of decision and begin implementing it providing the process is not interrupted with litigation.
#7
04-25-2002, 03:31 PM
Trending Topics
#8
04-25-2002, 05:07 PM
<< Patterson estimates he and the center have spent more than $3,500 in Yuma related to dunes visitation since September 2000 and predicts more money will follow if the bureau encourages more hikers to come to the area. >>
$3,500 for an entire center over a year and a half! I spend that myself in 6 weekend trips!!! Hikers...what a joke!
Hmmmm...what has the tourism count been for hiking over the last 40 years in the closed dunes north of highway 78???
---ZERO---!!!!!!
What will tourism be if everything is closed and Patterson and his berkenstock wearing, granola eating, Starbucks drinking, echo-****'s go back to their master planned urban land grabbing condo developments????
-------ZERO--------
GREED GREEED GREEEEEED!!!!!! They want it all!!!!
<< the most endangered species of all is the family unit. >>
good point
#10
05-16-2002, 03:39 PM