Last evening, Bob Mason, Jerry Seaver and I, along with our wives Sharon, Chris and Cheryl, met with Bill Woody, Director of the Office of Law Enforcement and Security at the BLM. A signficant thing to mention here is that Director Woody called us and asked for the meeting.

He reports directly to Kathleen Clarke, the Director of the BLM. He had with him Rob Smith, BLM Special Agent, who is on assignment to him for border security and coordinates Woody's budget. Also there was Steve Razo, External Affairs Director for the BLM California Desert District. Steve drove from Riverside to Phoenix and back specifically to attend this meeting. Thanks Steve!

The ASA stated our desire that the Sand Drags remain a legal activity and that we were concerned about spectator safety. This concern is simply a fact of life, an accident there would be a PR disaster for all of us.

The ASA stated that we were for enforcing existing rules and laws and that that we felt that there is no reason for new rules or laws.

Mr. Woody informed us and asked us to pass along that the BLM is making a big focus this year on DUI off-road. We will see stepped up enforcement all over the dunes. He expressed to us that it was not their intent to "ban" alcohol nor to restrict it in campsites.

A long discussion ensued about our Safety Brochure that we are developing. It was received with great enthusiasm and they will perform a final review in order for us to place their endorsement on it. The ASA offered to supply them with as many copies of the brochure as they could use. It was our intent that it be a generic safety brochure for sand areas so that it could be used in many places.

We also discussed logistics for the Sand Sports Super Show, where BLM Director Clarke will attend and what her schedule will be.

The ASA assisted the BLM in obtaining free PSA ad space in the up-coming issues of Sand Sports, Sand Addiction and Toyhauler magazines in order to help spread the word about the increased focus on DUI this season. Our newsletter editor, Vince Brunasso, was successful in obtaining MADD's endorsement of the BLM's Alcohol Initiative program as well. Good job Vince!

All in all I was pleased with the discussions at the meeting and I believe that Director Woody went away with a better appreciation for the work that the ASA is doing.

Kudos goes to Bob Mason for 1) making the initial contact with the Director (at the dunes, no less!) and 2) following up on a visit to DC; and 3) continuing the dialog to get us to the point that we can freely discuss ideas with the BLM as a user group and provide our insight to them.

Greg

I understand ban and restrict campsite, but what about change, restrict, modify, etc...........everywhere else? Many places have gone down this road before and its only allowed in the campsites, which by the way beyond sucks if you have ever been to any of these places.

OK..I have to ask, and apparently it's just a personal thing, but did they mention the use of "checkpoints" in their DUI enforcement activities?

Regardless of the answer, I would like to again extend my thanks to the folks who took their time to attend this meeting. The events of the past couple of days shows how all of the hard, and mostly thankless work many have put in is starting to pay off...first the eco nazi's and now the blm...Sure sounds like they are finally starting to listen to those who actually USE the dunes!!

ah..ok, fair enough. Thanks..

I especialy like the emphasis on enforcing the rules already on the books. In my opinion we wouldn't be where we are today if the BLM hadn't been sleeping at the wheel. Thanks for taking time to do these things.

A very proud ASA member!

Thanks Greg, Bob and Jerry and the VERY understanding wifes...