Acting on annual pass and weekly fee concerns from the TRT.

The El Centro BLM management has discussed the 2005/2006 fee's with Linda Hansen and with Mike Poole.

A press release will be submitted within two weeks announcing that no fee increases will take place next season.

Also look for an announcement soon on when the 2004/2005 Passes will be available.

are the 04/05 still $90. a pop?

Is this is regular FEE? Demo is over, correct? or do we have another year of it?

Correct. Demo Fee is no more, the fees at the ISDRA are now collected under the Federal Land Recreational Enhancement Act (FLREA). The fees being collected at the ISDRA are a Special Recreation Permit (SRP) under this act.

Click here for a thread on the ASA Forums

Click here for a pdf FAQ on the FLREA from the Depatrment of Interior

What is this telling me about the Golden Access Pass? It is going away but the same thing will be provided by the America the Beautiful pass?

That is specific to National Parks. Something most, myself included, do not want for the ISDRA.

<edit to make quote work right.. DOH>

Still cant believe they got rid of the daily pass.

Are there technicallity issues with someone who wants to use the ISDRA for only a few hours??

Wont the Visitor Centers require people to purchase a pass in order to use the center?? Would only seem fair.. My pass is in my truck which is getting worked on, but isnt there some text on there about the limits of the pass??

I don't remember there ever being a "Day pass". Just the Weekly pass. Though when the fees first started it was cheap enough that day trips who may not spend the current price were still willing to contribute.

Hmmmmmm. Ill have to research that. I swore there was a daily, weekly, and yearly pass.. but I could be wrong..

Just a Weekly and Annual. $7 and $30 I think.

Yeah, and you'll love it.

Whether you want to ride to the end of Gecko and back out or stay for a couple of hours to do all that hiking we hear so much about, or just drop off your kids with some friends who are staying at Glamis, you have to pay the same price as a weekender.

Why? Because the BLM couldn't figure out a way to police it. They were so very certain that people would buy only a day pass and then stay through the weekend without getting caught.

Not that there's much chance of that, what with checking passes in and out and all the campsite patrolling going on.

But yeah, that was why it wasn't done... too difficult to monitor.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... we were told two years ago that the issue would be reconsidered for the next season due to the heavy volume of dune community complaints about it.

Huh.

Vicki

Yes, that was/is the reason the BLM gives.

The TRT spend a lot of time discussing Day Passes 2 years ago. Its still getting some discussion raised from time to time. While this is far from being one of the major issues, it is one I do hear about from dune users. There are a lot of people who have family and friends that only come for a day or two.

I do hope it will happen some day.

Not just national parks... the Golden Access Pass is a free lifetime pass that gives the user 50% discounted fees (camping, boat launch, entrance, etc.) at any fed area... BLM, USFWS, ACoE, USFS, etc...

You state that this isn't a major issue with the TRT, yet it is highlighted in their mission statement and one would assume it is part of their missin... the collection and use of fees



If that is a concern of the dune users (who the TRT is a communication link for) and it is a mission of the TRT... why is it not more of an issue?

I personally feel it is an important issue, but compared to the other issues the ISDRA is faced with, I don't feel it is one of the major ones. The reason being is that only so much energy can be focused on things without others being affected negatively.

When the Day Pass issue was first beginning to be discussed, the BLM (and Central parking) was having enough challenges with just getting the weekly and annual passes going. The BLM and Central Parking, as well as some TRT members, had concerns of adding the day passes, particularly the manner of the sale and the enforcement, into the mix.

As I mentioned, it was brought up for discussions several times since then, but with no results. I will continue to bring it up from time to time as I do feel it is an important issue.

I tried to find a post that I did after I was appointed to the TRT, but it must have been archived. Figured it would be worthwhile to post it again.

I was appointed as the rep for Yuma County. There are 8 other TRT members that represent other areas. 4 for California. I volunteered to post info from the BLM and TRT in this forum which glamisdunes.com so graciously provided.

It is not my intention to, nor will I, argue points of view with anyone in this forum. I will have discussion and exchange views.

I have been going to the dunes for over 30 years and do have my own personal opinions and views about the dunes and how things should be done. When dealing with TRT business, I will represent what is known to me to be the views of the dune users, even if they differ from my view. I will still have my views and will voice them as mine only. If there is an issue when I do not have enough input to offer what is known to me to be the views of the dune users, I will voice my own.

Now the fair question would be how do I know what the views of the dune users are. I get that by talking to duners by phone, email, or in person. Reading the dune bulletin boards and websites. And most recently, the Dune Users Survey.

There are 8 other TRT members that represent you also. Talk to any of them. Remember: You can send an email to TRTemail@aol.com and it will get to all 9 members.

Thanks,
Glenn

WHY not just have Rangers stationed in little buildings at the entrance
to each of the major dune sites along both freeways to collect fees
like like National Parks .... ?? You enter the Grand Canyon and pay
your fee .... you enter Yellowstone and pay your fee ... WHY not
ISDRA?

Let's ask something here.



So who brings up the major issues if not the dune users?
Or is doing things that keep the dune users happy just a low priority.



I would hope you do more than HOPE for changes that the DUNE USERS are asking for. Push for them? Keep bringing it up? Squeeky wheel gets the grease right? Or is it the boot?

We certainly don't want that, that would mean there is a fence around Glamis...............next thing, reservations required signs.........

And higher fees to pay for all that crap.

Hey Brian/VOR/Pastor, maybe you can check my memory on this... I seem to recall that the New And Improved Fee legislation mandates that fees cannot be changed locally... they can only be changed at Department of Interior level.

Oh, I'm sure that means the local office would be giving their version of the facts to the DOI, but at least it can't be done unilaterally.

Is that your recollection as well?

Vicki

Yes, dune users bring up the issues, major and minor. To clarify the quote above, the issue of Day Passes is ONE of the many I hear about from dune users. The reason I said it was far from being ONE of the major issues is that other issues such as Central Parking's poor performance, finding budget line items to reduce the operational spending, and the how the AMA is operated were/are a higher priority.

Quite right. That is why I said this above.