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WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 13 & 14 TRIP REPORT Trip Objectives · To discuss the ISDRA “Partners in Stewardship” opportunities with BLM Director Clarke. o Visitor Use & OHV Monitoring o Litter Education o Safe-Duning Brochure · To demonstrate the “ISDRA Gateway Community” support of the “Partners in Stewardship” concept. · To discuss the inappropriate inclusion of PMV monitoring cost in the derivation of the ISDRA visitor use fee. · To meet with Congressional staff members. · To discuss the USFWS “Draft PMV Critical Habitat Economic Analysis” with Assistant Secretary Craig Manson. · To interview prospective Washington, DC lobbyists. Trip Participants Jim Mc Garvie, ORBA Vice Pres Nicole Gilles, Brawley C of C Exec Dir Ken Rosevear, Yuma County C of C Exec Dir Grant George, ASA Pres Bob Mason, ASA Vice Chairman Tue, April 13 -- 9:30 am · BLM Director, Kathleen Clarke and the following staff o Bob Ratcliffe, Dept Manager National Recreation Program o Elena Daly, Ass’t Director Partnership Coordination o Tom Dyer, Ass’t Director Renewable Resources and Planning o Keith Aller, Ass’t Director Law Enforcement and Security · Discussion Summary o Gateway communities are welcome partners o ISDRA Partners are recognized as “Serious Investors” per Director Clarke o ISDRA Federal appropriations are not commensurate with other Federal Recreation areas per Grant George. The development of creditable ISDRA visitor use data will enhance requests for funding allocations o BLM staff acknowledges that PMV monitoring expense is not a valid component of ISDRA visitor use fees. Director Clarke requested Bob Ratcliffe to review and discuss with the El Centro Field Office. o Director Clarke accepted an invitation to attend the SSSS on Sept 17 (schedule permitting). She will present the Jerry R Seaver Volunteer Service Recognition Award. o ISDRA partners were encouraged to continue partnership discussions with Linda Hansen and Steve Razo of the CA Desert Distict. o Bob Ratcliffe spent considerable time reviewing the various partnership funding procedures. o BLM encouraged the development of joint CA AZ partnership opportunities. Ken Rosevear will follow up with the BLM Yuma Field Office. Mike Taylor was identified as the BLM AZ contact. Tue, April 13 – 2 pm Meeting with Tom Porter, Sr Legislative Assistant for Congressman Hunter. Tue, April 13 -- 4pm Interview of lobbyist Paul Kavinoky of Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal. Tue, April 13 –5 pm Interview of lobbyist Matthew Simmons and Gregory Wang of The Ferguson Group. Wed, April 14 – 8 am Meeting with Keith Aller, BLM Assistant Director Law Enforcement and Security. o Aller reaffirmed that BLM will be emphasizing responsible use of alcohol at all facilities. o The final public awareness message has not been developed. o Roger Bruckner Ca Special Agent in Charge has been assigned the lead for this project. o The BLM is conducting discussions with the CA Highway Patrol re support in this matter. o A draft of the Safe-Duning brochure was given to Aller. BLM was requested to review and comment with the intent of incorporating the BLM logo on the final product. Aller will identify the proper BLM contact to review and comment on the brochure. Distribution at the Sept 2004 SSSS requires prompt attention to the brochure by everyone. o The need for consistent rules (gray water, pallets, etc) at all sand recreation areas was discussed. o The impromptu drags at ISDRA were discussed. Increased LEO presence was acknowledged. The lack of BLM attention to spectator safety was emphasized. The potential for a serious accident was acknowledged. Several suggestions were offered to minimize spectator safety concerns. It was suggested that BLM is not avoiding legal liability by its lack of spectator safety action. o A follow up meeting will be scheduled to continue discussion of the joint ISDRA public awareness program. Wed, April 14 – 10 am Meeting with Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks and his Senior Assistant Julie Mac Donald. o Both were very attentive to our concerns and to Grant’s comments re past dialog with the Carlsbad office. o Paul Hansen was identified as the Sacramento UFWS contact. Julie Mac Donald will ask Paul to contact Grant. o During discussion of the PMV Critical Habitat draft economic analysis Julie Mac Donald defined the level of input that would be required to assure effective comments. Gilles and Rosevear expressed concern that the draft economic analysis was not comprehensive. Ken and Nicole were asked to send a copy of their comments to Mac Donald. Wed, April 14 --Afternoon Meetings with Pombo and Filner staff were canceled due to an emergency evacuation drill. |