Fee Compliance Report
December 10, 2003
Ø Time Line
August 26, 2003 - Fee compliance meeting with BLM and TRT rep (Cricket Sankovich)
September 2003 - Completion of ISDRA Business Plan
October 2, 2003 – Completion of BLM fee compliance strategy with TRT input
October 24, 2003 – First report on implementation of fee compliance strategy (see attached)

Halloween Weekend
Continued implementation of the fee compliance plan went well. There were some technical problems with the fee machines when Central Parking left at night in the south dunes. One machine was stolen and several ran out of passes or change. Compliance and staffing at the machines has remained high. Feedback from the field staff continues to indicate the need for law enforcement at the check points in order to gain compliance.

Thanksgiving Weekend
The fee compliance system continues to go well. There were some minor problems with the fee machines. Compliance along Gecko and North Dunes ranged from 70% to 99% by staff observations . So far this year 50% of the passes sold are annual passes and the remaining 50% are weekly passes, this is up from 20% annual passes and 80% weekly passes last year.

The fee stations at Dune Buggy Flats, Gecko, and Wash Road were manned virtually 24 hours a day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The stations were staffed with BLM EMS, VSS, Rangers, and Central Parking contract employees. Feedback from the field staff and contractor continues to indicate the need for law enforcement at the check points in order to gain compliance.

BLM identified 10 law enforcement rangers, 60 EMS staff members, 10 VSS staff members, 13 Central Parking Employees, and 2 volunteers to work on checkpoints and go camp to camp in order to increase fee compliance (total of 95 people). Most of the above staff spent the entire weekend doing fee compliance except when responding to specific law enforcement or medical incidents.

Non-Holiday Weekends
Although fee compliance remains high (70-99% by staff observations), compliance continues to be a labor intensive activity. BLM regularly staffs 8 EMS staff members, and 2 Rangers to conduct fee compliance in addition to 6 Central Parking Employees (16 total). Feedback from the staff and Central Parking continues to indicate the need for law enforcement at the check points and at camps in order to gain compliance.

December is historically the slowest month of the visitation season. Staff have not kept check points open as long as usual due to the high level of compliance and low level of traffic, causing the check points to be an inefficient use of time. Staff normally pick up trash every weekend, but have an increased amount of trash to pick up due to the Thanksgiving weekend this month.

Other Items
BLM has implemented a pass through lanes at the check points.
Contractor has increased staffing on non-holiday weekends from 3 to 6.
Check points are set up for both in and outbound traffic.
BLM has published a federal register notice to assist in compliance. The new rule requires that visitors pay their fee immediately upon arrival at the Dunes.
Both non-holiday and holiday compliance is above target in the business plan (50% minimum).
Agreements have been made to sell passes in Brawley businesses.
Still working with Central Parking on the web site to sell season passes, near completion.
The Ogilby machine has been removed after several vandalism / theft incidents. The BLM and Central Parking will be moving the machine to a more secure location closer to Ogilby Rd. and I-8.

Summary
Over the last few months the BLM has contemplated increased non-law enforcement staffing in order to increase fee compliance. All indications from the field staff recommendations are that more law enforcement would be required in order to increase the current compliance rates. Current uniformed non-law enforcement staff (who have the same uniform as law enforcement) can not gain voluntary compliance with visitors who refuse to pay. BLM believes that adding more uniformed non-law enforcement presence (whether BLM employees, volunteers, or other types of contract employees) will not be cost effective. To increase the effectiveness of the fee compliance beyond current levels, BLM would need to add more delegated law enforcement staff. BLM feels this is not possible because we are already dedicating a substantial amount of our law enforcement staff to fee compliance on all weekends.
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Fee Compliance Report
October 24, 2003

Fee compliance strategy
o Due to Public concerns brought up during the development of the business plan, BLM developed a fee compliance team that included a member of the TRT (Cricket Sankovich). Key points of the fee compliance strategy include:
§ Increase non-holiday enforcement through checkpoints and some camp to camp patrol.
§ Law enforcement officers are required at checkpoints to be effective and safe.
§ Non-law enforcement and contractor personnel will also staff the check points.
§ Volunteers can be used to pass out information but cannot enforce the regulations or ask to see a visitors permit.
§ Law enforcement and non-law enforcement staff will work together on scheduling.
BLM’s actions and results to date.
o BLM has implemented the strategy and have seen positive results on the ground and through feedback from the TRT.
§ Fee compliance is up. On the ground employees estimate that it is approximately 60-80%. Last years estimates were between
26-41%.
§ Both the Recreation and Law Enforcement staffs are scheduling personnel on one sheet of paper to ensure good coordination on fee compliance checkpoints. We have made fee compliance one of the top priorities in the Dunes. Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Team is also kept in the loop in to ensure that there is adequate law enforcement coverage throughout the rest of the Dunes.
§ Checkpoints and camp to camp patrol have been conducted every weekend. Uniformed non-law enforcement staff members are having a difficult time informing visitors about the fee requirements due to the aggressive nature of several visitors. In several instances, they have had to leave the area and call for law enforcement back up. In some cases. BLM law enforcement Rangers have had to call the CHP, ICSO (sheriff), Yuma BLM Rangers, and BLM Rangers from the Yuha Desert area for back up to do fee enforcement.
§ Many citations have been issued for non-payment of fees. Also, there have been several vehicle pursuits due to visitors who challenge the non-law enforcement staff and run the checkpoints. An arrest has been made, vehicles have been impounded, a person has been sent to jail, and visitors have been ejected from the Recreation Area.
§ The fee collection contractor has also doubled their regular staff from three to six for the non-holiday weekends to work cooperatively with the BLM.
§ ASA has been distributing fee compliance flyers to help the BLM with our outreach efforts.
The El Centro Field Office feels that we have made considerable progress, but agrees with the TRT members and others that there are additional opportunities to explore. All actions will have to be analyzed for cost benefit because most of theses will be paid through fees.
o Hire more uniformed personnel, either law enforcement or non-law enforcement (this could potentially include private security or government employees). We will discuss this option with BLM’s new National Law Enforcement Lead and the BLM State Special Agent In Charge next week.
o Bob Ham of Imperial County has sent us a copy of the County camping ordinance for our comments in order to allow the County to help enforce fees in the Dunes. This enforcement could possibly be done with “meter maid” type staffing through the County.

The El Centro Field Office feels that we have made a significant improvement in the fee compliance rate in the Dunes; and are fully committed to continue our current efforts up to Halloween. Compliance efforts during the Halloween weekend will significantly increase through a special Ranger Enforcement task force, whose sole mission for the weekend will be fee compliance. After Halloween, we should reconvene the team, review the results, and look into other options to further improve compliance rates.

Intersting news.
Im confused on a bit of info though..

Compliance is futile!!!

The Pastor

HA!!!!! You guys whined and complained for it, now you got it. Big Brother WILL eat you out of house and home. Also if you quit feeding this monster you welcomed in, he will pack up all his sh*t and leave you without somewhere to ride.

Pretty much what I've been trying to say for the last 5 years...

The Pastor

We all live under big brother (USA) , if you dont like it , then move !. Resistance is futile !.
Pay/play. Don't pay--- your in "non-compliance" !. YOU SUCK !!. IMHO.

Man, ya gotta read this WHOLE thing from top to bottom.

Da Pastors been preaching the word of no fee's but got shot down real bad and would not answer when he was caught in a fib.

Not good

http://www.americansandassociation.org/php...t=13690&start=0

Come on pastor, say it is not true.

Although I don't have time (or the desire) to root through someone's posts from way back when, I must say that in my opinion what Brian did or did not say, no matter where he does or does not stand does not change the BLM's responsibility in this matter.

Accountability was promised and has not been delivered, and that means we have greater concerns than whether VOR has waffled on his stance or even outright lied.

Let's leave the bashing of fellow duners on the other board please. In my opinion, we should all be working together to improve the system, not slam each other.

Vicki

Vicki, I sorta agree but credibility is important, don't you think so?

besides that, don't you think bashing takes place on this board to

More like
Dead horse beatings.

No one knows what happened when I went through that checkpoint in my Firebird... NO ONE!

I stated that I was "Forced" to purchass a pass. This is not entirely correct. I will leave it at that because it is no ones business.

Mr. Jowdy and Mr. Corvairs and Mr. AZsandduners seemed so hell bent on reducing my credibility and putting me on the defensive that I finally decided that trying to reason with these people .... WHO HAVE STATED THAT GATES AND FENCES ARE THE WAY TO GO... trying to reason with these people is futile.

I have posted MANY TIMES, a link and many quotes from a website that say, with court documents, that Demo Fee is NOT mandatory. I have also spoken directly with a person who TOOK THE DAMN THING TO COURT AND HAD IT TOSSED OUT.
But, because I received a Demo Fee pass as a gift I am being hypocritical. I should be "practicing what I preach".

Well, you have no idea what I do and what I do not do, and have absolutely no right to judge me whatsoever.

If anyone would like more information about Demo Fee and how it is being used to systamaticly take your dunes from you then feel free to ask.

But I will ignore any and all attacks on myself.

The Pastor

Hang in there bro.
We love you over here

Don't let the ASA side of your brain take you over...

looking at the posts on the asa board, they said that fences were needed if we wanted a true counts of campers at the dunes, but they did not say that they wanted fences, only if someone wanted a true count.

I think that is correct, how else can we get a true compliances figures. They won't go camp to camp and check evvery camper. Not enough people to do that.

also, from what you wrote and what you're saying now, you really stepped on your whanger

you said that you were forced to buy a pass and that it was fact.
now you are saying that it was incorrect so whats fact.
Waz up with that

they said that it was not personal but it looks like you are taking it that way. I guess I don't understand and all I want is credability

What I did or didn't do is of no consequence.
If you cannot come to your own conclusions or if my credibility is a prerequisite to your "believing" or "understanding" a subject then I guess you are SOL.

The Pastor

Man, I'm just asking questions, is this the way you answer and it is of consequence, don't be so uptight

I only want to know what happened, and cuz you posted the info on the other board you made it public

maybe you should go back to the other board and ask these questions there. Seems this post was about something entirely different. Please keep your ASA 'stuff' that is on that board at that board. Seems like a simple request I think..
thanks.

No, you are right. It was a fairly simple question. And yes, I am uptight about the whole situation.
Don't take it personal, but that is the only response you will get from me concerning me personally, particularly on this subject and at this volitile time.

I do not plan on explaining the situation.
If you would like to go back to discussing the subject at hand I would be more then happy to change gears, quit being so defensive and start trying to add to the discussion.

Some people have bad days... I'm having a bad year.

The Pastor

Thanks pastor,

I'll leave it at that.

the other answers I got from sailaway and chummin were bs when all I wanted was an answer. makes you feel like the only thing you can talk about is drinking and the party scene and the BLM

I understand how you must feel so I'll leave it alone

They will never get 100% compliance, it's just impossible, even if you were to fence and gate the whole thing in. Maybe the BLM should talk to the Border Patrol and see how well their fence works at the border. They need to just set a goal and leave it at that. Maybe the GAO or some accounting group should help them, if you add more people for compliance it takes more money, I don't think there would be a payoff. They should just make an attempt at compliance and leave it at that. What's the big diff if 20% or 30% don't pay. Sure they should but that's life. If it costs $250,000 to collect $200,000 ummm, doesn't seem worth it. Sometimes it sounds like that BLM has their head up their a$$ and living on another planet. I always wonder also about the fee, I always hear it's a camping fee. Well I've never camped there, I only go for a day and then go home. Yes I do have a year permit. I guess I don't completely understand the military stance of the BLM out there. I can see keeping the trouble makers out, but that's about it. No need to give anyone a shake down over $90 bucks.

Hey Pastor don't let it get you you down. I had a bad year last year, the whole effen year. Glad it was over and yep it does get over.

Well, just my .02 cents and yes I could be totally wrong.

Speaking of spending $250,000 to collect $200,000: Here's a little tidbit.

After reading that then think about all of those BLM LEO's that are standing at each checkpoint... Wonder if their salaries were listed in the cost of collection.
Think about those chases that the BLM said they had to do... Wonder how much a LEO car chase costs...
Think about Rangers going from camp to camp checking passes... Wonder what that costs and if it is computed in the cost of collection.

Makes you wonder, huh?

The Pastor

Excelent article Pastor. Looks like the whole collection thing is a joke. I guess the military atitude now is to try and make it look like the can make money for upkeep on thier own. Hopefully in 2004 it will be gone and no more fee. Maybe that's only for the forests. Hopefully for all areas.

In response to some of the concerns in this thread, here are few things that the TRT has done/is doing.

The LEO Rangers that are assigned to ISDRA get paid for whatever they are doing. If they weren't doing compliance at the check points, they would be working enforcement in the dunes. The only way to reduce the dollars it cost for the LEO Rangers would be to reduce the number of them. The TRT has been suggesting ways for the check points to be manned that will free up the Rangers to get out in the dunes. The BLM has expressed that the LEO Rangers must be there.

The BLM's cost for collection "should" have gone down, while revenue went up. This is due to the higher pass cost and the lower percentage that Central parking is getting. The TRT requested and the BLM is pushing Central Parking to increase the number of employees it has on-site. They have.

A Revenue vs Expense variance report has not been received by the TRT. This has been requested and is expected at the 1/23/04 meeting.

A Revenue to Budget variance report has not been received by the TRT. This has been requested and is expected at the 1/23/04 meeting.

The Official revenue from pass sales report through November 30, 2003 is expected by December 30.

The official revenue from pass sales report through December 31, 2003 is expected at the 1/23/04 meeting.

The calculations for compliance have been estimates. The TRT is asking for the data and confirmation of these estimates. They are expected at the 1/23/04 meeting.

As far as Gates/Fences, natural or material barriers exist, we don't need gates (Glenn's personal opinion).

The Buttercup area has only one "street vehicle" entrance/exit, Grey's Well Road. I-8 has barb'd wire fence or Border Patrol barricades. You can get there over the Herman S Bridge (from the Gordon's exit) but the access is not feasible for RV's & trailers. The only other way to get in is from the East end off the All American canal. That way is not feasible for much of anything but what you'd run in the dunes anyway.

With this in mind, you would expect Buttercup to have one of the highest compliance rates in the ISDRA. Maybe it is, we'll soon see.

Gecko Road is kind of the same way as far as accessibility by "street vehicles" like RVs & trailers. The shoulder on Hwy 78 is a barrier most of the way.