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THE RULES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
RULES FOR THE Rules designed to promote public safety in the Imperial Sand Dunes have been in effect since 1983. PLEASE REMEMBER, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE LAW. These rules apply to public lands within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Generally, the area encompasses public lands from one mile north of the Mammoth Wash to the Mexican Border (North to South) and from the Southern Pacific Railroad, Ogilby Rd. and the Boardmanville area, to the old Coachella Canal (East to West). SAFETY FLAGS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES. (This includes two-wheeled motorcycles). All off-highway vehicles shall be equipped with a an 8 ft whip mast and a 6"x12" red or orange flag. Flags may be of pennant, triangle, square, or rectangle shape. Masts must be securely mounted to the vehicle and extend 8 ft. from the ground to the mast tip. Safety flags must be attached within 10 inches of the tip of the whip mast with club or other flags mounted below the safety flag or on a another whip. A 15 M.P.H. EXISTS ON THE SAND HIGHWAYS. No person shall operate an OHV in excess of 15 m.p.h. on public lands within 500 feet of Highway 78, Grays Well Rd, Gecko Rd, and access roads within the Gecko and Roadrunner Recreation Sites. FIRES. The burning of potentially hazardous materials e.g. (but not limited to) gas, oil, plastic and magnesium is prohibited. NO GLASS BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ARE ALLOWED. Possession or use of any glass, cup or bottle, empty or not, used for carrying any liquid for drinking purposes is prohibited. Persons may pick up glass beverage containers discarded by others to remove for deposit in approved trash receptacles. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED WHILE RIDING ON BLM LANDS. No person shall drink an alcoholic beverage, have in their possession or on their person any open container that contains an alcoholic beverage while operating in or on a motor vehicle or OHV on public lands administered by the BLM within the State of California. NO PERSON UNDER 21 SHALL BE IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. USE OF AUDIO DEVICES. No person shall operate or use any audio device, such as radio, television, musical instrument, or other noise producing device or motorized equipment between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in a manner that makes unreasonable noise, that disturbs other visitors, or operate or use a public address system without written authorization from the BLM.. RESERVING OF CAMPING SPACES IS PROHIBITED;
SITES ARE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS.
LANDING OF AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING ULTRLIGHTS, IS PROHIBITED WITHIN
1 MILE OF GECKO ROAD. A 14 DAY CAMPING LIMIT IS IN EFFECT IN THE IMPERIAL SAND DUNES RECREATION AREA. NO PARKING OR CAMPING WITHIN 10 FEET OF PAVEMENT ON GECKO ROAD. SHOOTING IS PROHIBITED WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE OF FORMAL CAMPGROUNDS AND SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WELL AWAY FROM OTHER CONCENTRATIONS OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. STATE OF CALIFORNIAHIGHWAY VEHICLE LAWS HELMET USAGE. All persons, regardless of age, who operate or ride all-terrain vehicles (ATV's) or two wheeled motorcycles on public lands in California must wear an approved safety helmet. (38505 C.V.C.). PARENTAL SUPERVISION. No person under the age of 14 shall operate an ATV unless that person satisfies the requirements of 38503 C.V.C. (SAFETY CERTIFICATION) and in addition, is accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian. (38504 C.V.C.). CARRYING OF PASSENGERS. No operator of an all terrain vehicle shall carry a passenger while operating on public lands. (38506 C.V.C.). OPERATING AN OHV UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug, to drive a vehicle. 152{a}C.V.C.). Driving while license is suspended/revoked off road as well as on road is against the law. SPEED LAWS REGISTRATION 1. Vehicles operated on federal and state highways, county roads, and BLM's Gecko Rd, Gray's Well Rd, and McCain Valley Rd must be licensed for highway use. 2. Off highway vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles and display a valid "Green Sticker" vehicle identification tag (38020, 38010 C.V.C.) in a clearly visible location on the vehicle. (38170 C.V.C.). REQUIRED EQUIPMENT . According to California State law, any off highway vehicle must be equipped with an approved muffler, brakes and spark arrester. Headlight and taillight are required for operation at night. Taillights must include at least one red light. ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. No person shall operate an off-highway vehicle in a manner likely to cause environmental damage. (38319 C.V.C., 43 CFR 8341.1{f}{4}). FIREARMS. California State Law - Firearms must not be discharged within 150 yards of residences, buildings, campsites, occupied areas, RECREATIONAL AREAS, or domestic livestock. No shooting from or across any road. No shooting from a vehicle. It is unlawful to carry a loaded weapon in a vehicle. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Visit Cahuilla Ranger Station on Gecko Rd, or BLM's El Centro Resource Area Office, 1661 Fourth St, El Centro Ca. 92243 (760)337-3400. Click here for new regs for 2002 DISCLAIMER: As always, check with local authorities for governing laws and ordinances. View the Rules page of the BLM El Centro Field Office web site View scanned rules flyer distributed by BLM |