"What's New?"May, 2005 Why "What's New?" Well-informed volunteers are the foundation for the ASA's success. "What's New?" supplements our Website and Newsletter. If something peaks your interest or if you have something that others should know about contact us at: asaboard@americansandassociation.org or phone 619 448 8078. New volunteers are always welcome!!!!! Website Activities: Work continues on bringing up applications that were not ready
when we made the server switch. All hosted sites have been recovered
(OffRoadAccess.com, ISDRATRT.org, YumaDuners.com, GlamisOnLine.org
and RRDuners.com). The last major subsystem to come on line is the
ASA's email, so please be patient with us. The BBS is now fully
operational, we still have a few custom modifications to make to
the updated version of the software. Other parts of the site are
working normally. Comp Hill The ASA Board has formally requested that the Imperial County Sheriff's Office and BLM reassess the need for a dusk to dawn curfew at Comp Hill at Glamis. Go to http://www.americansandassociation.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17904&highlight=&sid=d45a6add279af4d13e066d4099837065 to read the letter to Sheriff Carter. The lifting of this temporary curfew will require considerable advanced planning and public education. ASA is committed to support the required public education and outreach program. ASA will initiate meetings with the appropriate agencies and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to encourage a comprehensive review of the request to lift the curfew. Bulletin Board Updates: We have recently added 2 new forums to the BBS. The Duner Connection, which can be found under the General Sand Forums, provides a forum where our members can plan trips, get-togethers, or hook up with new duners. Ocotillo Wells, which can be found under the California Dune Forums, provides a forum for our members who visit this OHV Area to share their experiences. Our Buy and Sell Forums are a great place to get that item you're been looking for, or sell something you no longer need. Combined with Stuff for Sale in our Photo Gallery this is a great place to showcase your items. The ASA Bulletin Board is just one of the tools that enable the
ASA to fulfill its mission to Unite, Inform, and Mobilize and continues
to be the place for duners to get the information they need. The
ASA Bulletin Board and our Photo Gallery can be accessed through
links on the home page of www.americansandassociation.org. Congressman Duncan Hunter has sent a letter to the BLM CA State Director requesting that the approximately 26,000 acres east of the railroad tracks adjacent to Highway 78 and the Boardmanville Road be reopened to camping. This inquiry is the direct result of the March 2005 OHV visit to Washington DC. Membership Drive Coming Soon: In the beginning days of the ASA it was decided to offer a free
membership to individuals. Two main reasons were cited, first to
unite those that recreate at the dunes of issues and keeping them
informed. The second, that membership numbers do mean influence
and power, more informed duners = more support from those that manage
the dunes. Peirson's Milk vetch (PMV) Delisting The ASA hosted a field trip for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Julie MacDonald. During the visit to the dunes ASA Botanical Consultant, Art Phillips briefed MacDonald and her staff on the growth of the PMV this season. The field trip was part of ASA's concerted effort to have the abundant PMV removed from the list of endangered species. The ASA is producing a new DVD to document the growth of the Peirson's milk vetch (PMV) during the past five years and particularly this year. The video footage is complete and the script is currently being edited. The final product will be available by June 1st and will be used during discussions related to the delisting of the PMV. New BLM Staff Beginning May 15 the new El Centro Field Office Manager Vicki Wood will report for duty. Wood has served as the Acting Field Manager at the BLM's Winnemucca Field Office in Nevada since June 2004, where she served as the Associate Field Manager since March 2003 prior to assuming the duties as the Acting Manager. Wood has considerable understanding of BLM programs and organization and extensive experience in support functions and budget. Prior to accepting her position as Associate Field Manager in Winnemucca, she served as Supervisor of the Branch of Business and Administrative Services and principal advisor to the Deputy State Director at BLM's Eastern States Office. Her federal career began in 1992 in Lubbock with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vicki was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas and will be moving to El Centro with her husband George and two college age daughters. She has a Bachelors Degree in General Studies from Texas Tech University and Masters in Education from Wayland Baptist University. BLM, El Centro Field Office has also added a Park Ranger specializing in outreach and education for the Imperial Sand Dune Recreation Area. Joyce "Joya" Szalwinski has hit the ground running and has already represented the BLM at one outreach event, is developing a new Tread Lightly! dunes booklet with the cooperation of the ASA, is working on the new adaptive management area permit program, will be project lead for the BLM multi-agency Sand Sports Super Show booth in September, and will be working on a new dunes map. Joya is originally from Long Island, New York. She has worked for the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and for the BLM across the United States. We have been informed by William Woody, BLM Director of Law Enforcement and Security that Troy Bolen has been selected to replace Roger Bruckner as the Special Agent in Charge of California activities. ASA had an excellent working relationship with Bruckner, who retired at the end of 2004. Arrangements are being made to meet with Bolen in the near future. RAMP Implementation: As many of you know, the BLM has approved the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) and filed the Record of Decision. However, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) is in court contesting the Biological Opinion (BO) from Fish and Wildlife that approves BLM's implementation of the RAMP. ASA is an intervener in that action opposing the CBD and is actually taking sides with the FWS who has vowed to vigorously defend the BO. The final court ruling is slated for September 30, 2005.] Sponsorship of MotorSports Mania: The ASA Board approved a purchase of airtime in AZ on MotorSports Mania for a 12-month period. The weekly television production, produced and hosted by Wally Cahill, will inform millions of viewers of the issues concerning access to public lands and in particular the ISDRA. One show a month will be dedicated to sand issues and ASA will have at least one 30-second spot every week. The show will also feature one "special" segment each month focusing on a topic directly related to the sand sport hobby. This could be anything from a Sand sports Super Show type program, to public outreach at the dunes, as well as issues from the BLM and other government agencies that directly impact sand enthusiasts in the southwest. Wally has been instrumental in furthering the cause of the ASA on many levels. In the background he has provided, free of charge, many video services, interviews, transportation, and creating vital contacts that have been crucial to the success of the ASA. Trash Talk from Steve Brooks, "Bottle Pick-up Chairman" : "Friday on our first ride of the day, we got a little late start, I said to Cathy, that if I see any bottles lying in the sand, I am going to stop and pick them up. Think about it; every unbroken bottle pulled out of our dunes, will possibly save many issues [trash/tires/cuts] in the future. I would like to throw out a challenge to all of you, pick up just one bottle from the dunes per day while you are on a ride. One bottle per group... No big thing, stick the bottle on the passenger seat where no one is riding. Cathy says I should be more active in picking up all trash [right-right] instead of "Stopping again… for another bottle… Cathy says I should be more active in picking up all trash [right-right] instead of "Stopping again… for another bottle… They should change your name to the 'Bottle Pick-up' Chairman" she said. On this dune ride [May 6th], Cathy and I pulled out 21 bottles! Twenty-one bottles, on one ride! Some dating to the 'bottle opener'/non-CRV days. Some said "No deposit/No Return" Some said "Please don't litter". Some had date markings that put them over 35 years old! I saved them all, and took pictures. In the middle of the dunes, someone [35 years ago] sat, and watched his/her friend fix his rail. There were broken and left over parts. When he drank his beer he left it. A few coins fell out of his pocket, a 1941 penny was one of them. It was like going back in time… The Comp Hill Earth Day clean went great! Yamaha, Duners Pizza, Sand Sports Magazine, and ASA all lent a hand in making this one of the truly "Funnest" clean ups ever. Thanks to all that helped." Steve Brooks July 23 Open ASA Board Meeting: Mark this date on your calendar. Come to the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Anaheim, CA at 9 am on Saturday to meet the ASA Board of Directors. Guest speakers from BLM and the Imperial County will be available to discuss the 2005-2006 fee program, the central closure permit process, trash containment, the vendor program and the comp hill curfew. Tread Lightly! (TL!): Give A Way Car Schedule: The car is scheduled to be on display at the following events. Please consider coming out to help. May 13-15 Extreme Motorsports, Orange County Fairgrounds, CA Rules and Laws: Jerry R Seaver Volunteer Service Award: Nominations are being accepted for the 2005 JRS Award program.
The deadline is July 31. Visit Give a Way Car Trailer: ASA will upgrade the trailer to provide a lift up side to enhance display capability at the dunes. The sales of raffle tickets at the dunes has turned into a major fundraising activity. Recent Board Action: Vince Brunasso has been appointed to the Board effective immediately. His term will extend until June 30, 2006. This is Vince's second term as a Board Member. He is one of three founders of ASA and the first President of the Association. His longstanding support has included chairing the Legal Affairs Committee and producing the newsletter. |