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Dear Fellow ASA Member,
At the request of the BLM, we are forwarding the following
news release:
News Release
For Immediate Release: January 18, 2008
CA-CDD-08-19
Contact: Stephen Razo 951-697-5217; email: srazo@ca.blm.gov
srazo@ca.blm.gov
Fee Program Changes Upcoming for the Imperial Sand
Dunes Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces two major changes in the
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) fee program for the 2008/2009
season.
First, BLM will soon be soliciting bids for administration of the fee
program for the next season and beyond. The agency hopes to complete the
process by early spring to ensure a seamless transition over the summer.
Parties interested in bidding on this contract should visit the Federal
Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov
.
The second change impacts recreation fees in the ISDRA. Despite the convenience
of fee payment through the internet, via phone, at sand shows, and from
vendors, the majority of visitors still wait to purchase permits after
arriving at the recreation area. This results in unnecessary traffic and
diminishes the recreational experience for the visitors. The BLM and ISDRA
Technical Review Team (TRT) have developed a two tier plan to encourage
permit pre-purchasing.
During the 2008/2009 season, dunes permits will remain at the same price
if purchased off-site. Permits will continue to be $25 per week or $90
per season if purchased at a vendor outside the ISDRA, over the internet,
over the phone, or at an off-highway vehicle (OHV) show. If a visitor
chooses to purchase a permit upon arrival in the ISDRA, the cost will
be $40 per week or $120 per season. This on-site adjustment will allow
additional revenues to be allocated towards ever increasing recreation
area expenses. The on-site adjustment is also in-line with fees at other
BLM recreation areas such as Dumont Dunes, CA, Sand Mtn., NV, and St.
Anthony Dunes, ID.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to keep updated on changes by visiting:
www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra.html
and
www.isdratrt.org .
The ISDRA, managed by the BLM and located in southeastern California,
provides a world class recreation opportunity. Unmatched in popularity,
the ISDRA receives over one million OHV visitors each year between October
and May. To address the needs of the visitors, the majority of the management
is funded through fees collected in the ISDRA. The majority of fees collected
are allocated for law enforcement, emergency medical services, and facility
maintenance.
The management of the fee program in the Dunes is administered in close
coordination with the Dunes TRT. The TRT is a panel of concerned citizens
who represent local counties, commercial businesses, and OHV recreationists.
The TRT provides recommendations to the BLM on the allocations of funds
from the fee program and have been responsible for
many of the positive changes in the ISDRA.
-BLM-
“visit our website at www.ca.blm.gov"
California Desert District Office – 22835 Calle San Juan de Los
Lagos,
Moreno Valley, CA 92553- (951) 697-5217
John F. Dearing
Media Relations
BLM California State Office
(916) 978-4622
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