What's New in the ASA
January, 2007

Dear Fellow ASA Member,

As many of you will surely agree, the recent November elections did not produce the desired results that the off-roading community would have liked. Likewise, the ASA Board of Directors is understandably disappointed with the outcome of the recent Congressional elections.

The loss of certain key members in the election, such as Congressman Richard Pombo, who was instrumental in our fight to reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA), will certainly make our efforts more of a challenge in the times ahead.

The agencies that manage the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) continue to be directed by President Bush and his stated policy, which requires decisions relating to land use and land closures be based on sound scientific evidence rather than the obviously biased opinions of environmental extremists that have no scientific foundation.

As a community of people that enjoy the outdoors and all that the environment has to offer, we believe that our position in this continuing land use battle is based on facts and good science. And, in the end, we are confident that our legal coalition of off-road organizations will prevail — with your continued support.

Certainly, the next few years will be a challenge for everyone involved in the sport of off-roading. It is important to remember that the people who enjoy this form of recreational motorsport come from all walks of life, and all facets of the political spectrum.

We do not believe it is time to throw in the towel and sell our beloved sand toys that we’ve all worked so hard to purchase and build. What we do believe is that now, more than ever before, it is important to continue using our off-road vehicles. But, we must use them responsibly and in a safe manner.

The ASA Board of Directors is asking for your continued support of our organization. The time has come where, more than ever, we must all bear down, stay involved, volunteer our efforts, and we will surely make a difference.

After all, our children and grandchildren’s memories relating to the sand dunes depend on it.

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ASA Meets with CBD, PEER, USFWS, and BLM

At the request of the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), ASA attended a meeting in El Centro on Monday 12/11. Dave Hubbard, Jerry Seaver, Vince Brunasso, and Bob Mason met with Brendan Cummings of CBD. Brendan is the CBD attorney involved with the lawsuit, which temporarily closed an additional 49,000 acres, since its inception.

Brendan offered an alternative that included a closure that, in his opinion, would protect the entire ecosystem of the ISDRA dunes including a broad range of species. It closely resembles Alternative #3 in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), from which the new RAMP was developed, and the offer made by CBD some 2 years ago at a previous meeting. ASA reminded Brendan that the only species to have legal standing is the PMV and that ASA's consideration of alternatives would be limited to the PMV taking into account all monitoring data. Brendan agreed to consider a joint review of the PMV data by Dr. Phillips and a CBD biologist.

At the request of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) who is also a party to the suit that temporarily closed the 49,000 acres, we met with them on 12/14 in San Diego. Attending was Daniel Patterson who now works for PEER. Ilene Anderson, a CBD ecologist, also attended. Representing ASA were Jim Bramham, Jerry Seaver, Bob Mason, and Vince Brunasso. A joint request was made by the three groups to have a representative from the BLM and the FWS attend so that they would be available to answer questions and provide insight. They gladly accepted our invitation.

Patterson provided a map of what they believe to be balanced management of the dunes. It is their belief that what is on the ground now works and is very close to what they would like to see become permanent. It also had a striking resemblance to Alternative #3 in the DEIS and Cumming's offer. Their stated desire is to end the legal bickering and move on. ASA reiterated the position that any changes on the ground must be data driven before the board would consider them.

FWS and BLM offered to provide data and make resources available to aid in future discussions. Another meeting is tentatively scheduled sometime in February.

Alternative 3 and a map can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/ca/pdfs/elcentro_pdfs/FinalEISandRAMP/FinalEIS.pdf on page 65 of the PDF document. The map can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

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FORE!!!!!

Sign up now for the Weekend Warrior Inaugural ASA Benefit Golf Tournament!
May 7th, 2007 at the Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. The Tournament will be hosted by Cutting Edge Performance with RAW Motorsports providing a chance to win a RAW Motorsports Sand Car for a hole in one on a specific par 3, and Funco Motorsports sponsoring a helicopter golf ball drop. Aguirre Tequila will host tequila tasting on one hole as well! Don't miss out on the fun. Proceeds benefit the ASA.

There are still tee times available. We are looking for additional hole or event sponsors as well. Entry includes the following: Free Range Balls, Pro Shop Discounts, Tournament Golf Shirt, Goody Bag, Tequila Tasting, Lunch, Dinner/Awards Banquet, and Raffle Entry. Click here for more details and to register http://www.asagolf.golfreg.com/

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'06-'07 PMV Studies Underway

Dr. Art Phillips continues with his studies of the Peirson' milk vetch. Our sincerest thanks to the volunteers that made the December filed trip a reality. Look for another trip sometime in March. Long term plans include a trip to Mexico.

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ASA Attends First Bureau of Land Management Sponsored Dunes Managers Meeting

In December 2006, Federal and State Dune Managers with American Sand Association and Tread Lightly! met for three days in Nephi, Utah to discuss management practices in sand dune systems. This effort was determined to be a step forward in protection of resources and access, while promoting safe and enjoyable duning.

Representing the ASA were Bob Mason and Jim Bramham. BLM representatives from California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Colorado were on hand and expressed interest in the ASA Checkered flag program. ASA shipped supplies of checkered flags to fly on BLM official vehicles to show support of the program and also to hand out to duners in their respective areas to promote safe duning.

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ISDRA TRT Public Safety Subcommittee December meeting Agenda and Notes

The role of the ISDRA TRT Public Safety Subcommittee is to provide public input to the BLM on issues relating to public safety and assist the BLM in communicating with the ISDRA visitors to promote awareness and improve public safety at the ISDRA.

One hot topic in the meeting was unlawful assemblies at Comp and Olds hills at night: why they are declared and by whom. CLICK HERE to read more.

Click the link below to read the notes from the most recent meeting of the Public Safety Subcommittee:
http://isdratrt.org/documents/PSSC%20Agenda_Notes%202006_12_11.pdf

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10th Annual Martin Luther King Weekend Cleanup JANUARY 13, 2007

Yes, 10th annual - can you believe it?

Volunteers are needed to help staff the event.

It's Easy, Fun & Helps Keep Our Dunes Open! There will be hundreds of dollars in prizes and much more! Saturday, JANUARY 13, 2007

LOCATIONS:
North Dunes: Glamis Flats (Vendor Row), Wash Road (Pay Station), Gecko Road (Vendor Row)
South Dunes: Buttercup (Vendors Row), Gordon's Well (Vendor Row), Midway (along Frontage Rd. and Ogilby Camp (Past the Tower towards the South)

SIGN UP:
All locations in the north and south dunes from 8:00 am to 11:30 am*
Lunch and the raffle will take place at the main staging areas located at:
Glamis Flats in the North Dunes and Gordon's Well in the South Dunes
Lunch will be served between: 11:30 am - 12:30 PM*
Raffle prizes from: 12:30 PM until done*
Presented by: the United Desert Gateway (UDG)
For more information on participating or contributing as a sponsor please see: http://www.uniteddesertgateway.org or http://www.glamis-cleanup.org

NORTH END Contact: Tim Gantz TIM@GLAMISWEATHER.COM
(619) 519-3781
SOUTH END Contact : Cathy Kennerson cathy@elcentrochamber.com
(760) 352-3681

*California time

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2007 ASA Giveaway Sand Car Raffle

1st prize this year is a DeJong Sandcars Monster Manx MX2
2nd Prize is a Pace American Rallye 24-foot enclosed trailer
For more info http://www.americansandassociation.org/pages.php?pageid=7

Please pay special attention to all the businesses that donate parts and services to this most vital project. They support us - please support them whenever you can.

CLICK HERE to get your tickets.

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Orangewood RV Center Donates $2000 to ASA

Orangewood RV Center of Surprise Arizona announced that they would donate $200 for each unit sold during their October Pound Sand Event. On December 1st, 2006, Orangewood RV Center's Mark Treacy presented the ASA with a check for $2000 "in appreciation for what the American Sand Association does to preserve and maintain our sand dune resources."

A very big thank you to Mark Treacy and all the great folks at Orangewood RV Center. They support us, please support them where you are able.

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Arizona Open Board of Directors Meeting

March 2, 2007 Details and location TBA.

The next ASA Open Board of Directors meeting has been scheduled for March 3, 2007 in Phoenix, AZ. We hope to make this a very special meeting, and are currently in the early planning stages. Be watching for a more detailed announcement soon.

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Unlawful Assembly, What Is It?

The Public Safety Subcommittee (PSSC) of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Technical Review Team (ISDRA TRT) announces the release of an article titled "Unlawful Assembly: What Is It?". The article is the result of the joint-efforts of the members of the Public Safety Subcommittee to provide information of what an Unlawful Assembly is, why it is declared, what ISDRA visitors can expect, and what they can do to help. CLICK HERE to read the article. It is most informative and spells out what you can do to help preserve our right to ride.

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Pace American Donates Trailer for ASA Giveaway Raffle

Pace American Corporation donated this year's second place prize for the ASA giveaway raffle: a Pace American Rallye 24 foot enclosed trailer. Click here to purchase tickets for a chance to win it! Special thanks to Pace of Arizona's owner Anthony Verdone for making this happen.

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Jagged X Presents Rhino Crash 2007

Jagged Extreme invites you to their second annual Rhino Crash 2007, Saturday. February 3, 2007 at the ISDRA's Pad 3 on Gecko Road.

There will be raffle prizes, group photos, and a carne asada cookout. Click here for more info and here to register for Rhino Crash 2007. Proceeds benefit the ASA.

Jagged Extreme wants to continue to be among the first Side By Side leaders to help give back to the off road community and this event helps to do just that. Last year's Rhino Crash 2006 raised $4,000.00 in proceeds which were donated to the ASA.

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Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Proposes to Formalize Agreements with ATV Manufacturers
From Bill Dart - ORBA Land Use Director

ORBA has been following this issue for several years ever since the Consumer Products Safety Commission was petitioned by several anti groups to take action on ATV safety. I testified as part of a panel at a CPSC hearing on the topic in West Virginia about three years ago when this started.

The CPSC is now proposing to formally codify a formerly voluntary agreement by the major ATV companies to end production of three wheel ATV's as well as mandating that ATV companies provide free safety training. The training issue was another voluntary agreement for years by the big ATV companies. Today, there is a flood of new Asian builders who were not party to the voluntary agreements and many do not provide training, or even parts and service for that matter. This proposal will have affect on existing three wheelers and they can still be used, but no new ones can be built. The ATV industry supports the proposals.

While many groups have asked the CPSC to ban kids ATV's, they are not headed that way either. In fact, they are proposing some changes in response to public input that there are lots of teenagers that are too big to ride the current crop of 90c kids ATV's. CPSC is proposing a larger frame ATV for larger kids under 16. Also, instead of flat engine size limits, they are proposing speed limiting controls on the kids ATV's. So, they are proposing three categories of kids ATV's. We now have 70cc and 90cc kids machines and then nothing between the 90's and the full size machines.

While the CPSC has not finalized anything yet, I will be VERY surprised if they deviate much from their current direction.

The vast majority of injuries and deaths on ATV's are because people were violating the principal safety rules for ATV's No training, underage riders on inappropriately sized ATV's, riding double, drinking, and riding on public paved roads are involved in most injuries and fatalities.

The single most important thing to do, in my mind, is to get proper training. ATV's can be very seductive. As a comparison, when a person starts riding a motorcycle, everyone understands that if you make a mistake, you will crash. So the confidence level slowly grows as skills improve, and new riders tend to be cautious. On the other hand, ATV's are easy to ride and new riders get a false sense of confidence. The confidence level quickly shoots up while their skill levels are still developing. Unfortunately, too many new riders find themselves under their ATV, often with serious injuries or death.

The second biggest problem is putting small kids on full size ATV's that they don't enough physical strength the control or the skills and judgment to safely control a powerful machine. PLEASE make sure your children are properly trained, are on an appropriately sized ATV, and wear appropriate safety equipment including helmets, boots or sturdy shoes, long pants, and eye protection as a minimum.

ORBA will be monitoring and participating as this issue progresses.

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AZ Sand Expo
December 8-10, 2006 http://www.arizonasandexpo.com
The show was a smashing success with several thousands of dollars raised for ASA. Our sincerest thanks to the many volunteers that made it a reality. Special thanks to Don Johnson for heading up the effort.

Andy Myers, Promoter of the AZ Sand Expo, presented the ASA a generous $1000 donation. 100 new members were signed up with 15 of those joining as supporting members. Lots of raffle tickets for the DeJong Giveaway Car were sold over the weekend as well. The event would not have been successful without the help of all the ASA volunteers who worked the show. Thanks to you all.

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Acronyms

ADSB - Andrews Dune Scarab Beetle
AMA - Adaptive Management Area
ARA = Arizona Public Records Act
ASMAP - Peirson's Milk Vetch (technical)
BLM - Bureau of Land Management
BLM ECFO - BLM El Centro Field Office
BO - Biological Opinion
BOD - Board of Directors
CA PRA = California Public Records Act
CBD - Center for Biological Diversity
CCC - California Coastal Commission
CDCA - California Desert Conservation Area
CDPA - California Desert Protection Act
CEQA = California Environmental Quality Act
CNPS - California Native Plant Society
CORVA - California Off Road Vehicle Association
CVC - California Vehicle Code
DOJ - Department of Justice
DOI - Department of the Interior
EIR - Environmental Impact Report
EIS - Environmental Impact Study
ESA - Endangered Species Act
FLPMA - Federal Land Policy & Management Act
FOIA - Freedom of Information Act
FoOD - Friends of Oceano Dunes (Pismo)
FoDD - Friends of Dumont Dunes
ICBoS - Imperial County Board of Supervisors
SDCSO - San Diego County Sheriff's Office
FTHL - Flat Tail Horned Lizard
FWS - See USFWS
GOL - GlamisOnLine.org
IC - Incident Command
ICSO - Imperial County Sheriff Office
ISDRA - Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
LEO - Law Enforcement Officer
MA - Management Area
NECO - North Eastern Colorado Desert Plan
NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act
NEQA = National Environmental Quality Act
ODSVRA - Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area
OHMVR - Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation
OHV - Off Highway Vehicle
OHVEST - Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement Safety Team
ORBA - Off Road Business Association
ORV = Off Road Vehicle
PA - Planning Area
PH SO - Sand food
PMV - Peirson's Milk Vetch
RAMP - Recreation Area Management Plan
ROD - Record of Decision
SDORC - San Diego Off-Road Coalition
SSSS - Sand Sports Super Show
SVRA - State Vehicle Recreation Area
TRT - Technical Review Team
UA - Unlawful Assembly
UDG - United Desert Gateway communities (local to ISDRA)
USFWS - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WECO - Western Colorado Desert Plan
WSA - Wilderness Study Area

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