Voice: Patterson off-base about dune-use potential

In his monthly propaganda shot fired across the bow of the I.V. Press readers ("Voice of the People": "Dunes conservation helping local economy," May 29), Daniel Patterson of the Center for Biological Diversity states that "diversified multiple-use management of the dunes diversifies visitation."

Anyone who visits the dunes with any regularity (i.e., not Daniel Patterson) knows the ONLY people visiting that area are off-roaders. Remember, closed areas in the dunes are hardly a new phenomenon. The 32,000-acres wilderness area has been available for hikers exclusively for over a decade, yet there are no takers. At some point, Patterson just may have to admit that nobody in their right mind is going to wander around 32,000 acres of soft, steep sand hills on foot.

Patterson also admits "the fact that visitation at the Algodones Dunes has gone up 100 percent since some of the dunes were protected in 2000." Make that SOME MORE of the dunes, right, Daniel? Hmmm ... maybe Mr. Patterson isn't aware of those 32,000 acres of long-protected wilderness.

Patterson's concession regarding increased off-road use of the dunes is the best possible argument for reopening the areas that were temporarily closed in 2000. Cramming more and more off-roaders into less and less space is a recipe for disaster.

Peirson's milk-vetch, the primary dune-closing tool in the CBD's endangered species arsenal, is just the first installment. Should this plane eventually be removed from the Endangered Species List, it will hardly signal the end of the CBD's attempts to control the dunes. While the wilderness waits for Patterson's Hiking Hordes, the CBD is queuing up other critters in their battle against the off-roading community. Ever heard of the Andrews' dune scarab? Flat-tailed horned lizard? If not, you will, courtesy of the CBD. And still the wilderness waits for the hikers, bird watchers and self-propelled sand fanatics that Patterson keeps promising.

Maybe the CBD should open up a vendor stand at the dunes. Someone needs to sell boots and drinking water to all those hikers.

JONATHAN PERKINS

Redondo Beach