I too question why the TRT is conducting such a poll on a site that requires one to "register" and agree to "rules" for posting that they disagree with. I'm sure there are some sort of technical reasons that this poll could not be separated from this registration requirement.

For the poll to provide useful information to BLM and the TRT it must allow all the views of all that are interested in submitting their opinion; thus freedom from the "registration" requirement is a must. Or at the least, provide BLM and other TRT members with the disclaimer "This poll was conducted with ONLY registered users of the ASA site."

I'll be sending an e-mail to the Imperial County representative to the TRT and let him bring this "issue" up at the upcoming meeting.

Thanks for clearing up my concern.

Mr. Seaver mentioned that the cost of having and maintaining an independent site was beyond the ability of the TRT to fund. My question is what is the cost(s) to develop and maintain an independent site, one that does not have to be "hosted" by a specific organization? What are the "bandwidth" requirements of such a site?

Given that BLM has the propensity to re-allocate appropriated (Congressionally granted) funds from other projects almost at will (as they have shown throughout the years at the ISDRA); has thought been given to submit - through the TRT - a request for such funding?

It is a fairly simple matter to turn off registration requirements for a single forum, but I digress...

Although I have issues with the ASA site and how it is run that should be considered a personal issue...
The fact of the matter is that this poll is really of little importance, and because of it's limited scope is of even less importance (as long as it isn't misrepresented). The TRT was trying to accomplish something. Unfortunantly it was a tougher task then first thought. The intentions were good.

To anyone who wants to participate in this poll but is unable to because of registration restrictions (myself included) I suggest that you write a letter explaining how you feel the BLM are doing so far this year and send it, yourself, to the BLM for review, or send it to a TRT member and hopefully you can get it read into the record. You will have a far greater effect then this poll.

The Pastor

Vicki:

You raise very valid questions and should not feel as if you are "whistle in the wind".

While I applaud and commend Glenn for his dedication and work to have such a TRT site, he is within the leadership (forum moderator) of the other sand site. There is, and has been, in my opinion, a demonstrated inability - by some in the leadership of organizations as a whole - to keep organizational and personal agenda(s) from clouding the real issues discussed on other forums.

I agree a third party needs to host and administer the site.

You may be right in that BLM has the resources to provide such a service. Might it be time for the TRT to make such a request?

The results of the Polls on the ASA bbs were given to the BLM at today's TRT meeting. The max number of participants was 57. The TRT requested that the BLM provide us with their own review and results. We also requested a response from them on the results of our Poll so that we may advise the dune users.

Maybe there isn't as much love in the air as some try and tell themselves.

Thanks for the clarification Vicki.

BTW - Reading back I see it was The Pastor who suggested the letter writing. Good idea Brian.

Unfortunately, the participation in the Polls on the ASA bbs was about what I expected, and less than I hoped for.

I'm not going to address the TRT web site in this thread as it has nothing to do with it. We could not have placed the Mid-Season Review on it as it was not ready. If this topic needs to be discussed it needs to be done elsewhere. Thanks.