ECONOMIC WOES FOUND IN THE IMPERIAL SAND DUNES

Posted on 29 October 2008 by admin - 139 views

As dune season approaches, the downturn in the economy will have a visible impact on the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). The trash dumpsters that have been made available for visitors will be removed as of January 2009. Because of this, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has partnered with the American Sand Association (ASA) and the United Desert Gateway (UDG) to promote “Pack It In, Pack It Home.” This campaign urges everyone to continue to clean up their camp and transport their trash all the way home. “This could be an opportunity to be seized by the surrounding communities to further profit from the ISDRA”, stated Robert Hancock, ASA Member who frequently stops in Brawley en route to and from Glamis. “We can not have duners over-burden the infrastructure of these towns by dropping their trash at the first gas stop or potty break.” BLM has also chosen a new vendor for overseeing weekly and annual permits.

Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc. (WEP) will be managing permit sales, with BLM and Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) handling compliance enforcement. As part of the new contract, visitors are encouraged to purchase their permits prior to arrival at the ISDRA. Weekly and annual permits are available at a variety of retailers in California and Arizona, as well as on-line from the ASA web-site. Permit prices remain unchanged from last year ($90 annual and $25 weekly) unless the permits are purchased “onsite” (i.e. ‘in the sand’ vendors, including the Glamis Beach Store), with prices being $120 and $40, respectively.

The upcoming Halloween weekend brings visitors back to changed dunes. As a result of shifting prevailing winds seen over the summer, razorbacks and witches eyes (dangerous holes in the sand) are more common. The hot summer weather leaves less moisture in the sand resulting in dunes that are very soft. In addition, visitors are cautioned to watch out for trick-or-treaters going camp to camp. In all areas, there
is a 15mph limit within 50 feet of camps or clusters of people. 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 web-site (http://www.americansandassociation.com) with more information. The ASA encourages everyone to “Do the Right Thing” for the dunes by being safe, purchasing passes before they arrive, and packing their trash home.