November 22, 2002
Imperial County Closes Federal Land

On Tuesday, November 19, 2002, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors passed
an ordinance that places a dusk to dawn curfew at Competition Hill in the Glamis
area of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.. Wally Leimgruber, an Imperial
County Board of Supervisor, said, “the intent of the ordinance was to be for the
Major Holidays only, not every night. The Board also wanted it to be structured
so the curfew could be at the Imperial County Sheriff’s discretion; expanded to
more days or areas if needed.” The ordinance as written, however, says that
there will be a curfew every night. Leimgruber said the board of Supervisors is
planning to amend the ordinance at the next Board of Supervisors meeting this
Tuesday, November 26th 2002, to clarify their intent.

This unprecedented action by a local authority closing Federal land was done
without any public comment or discussion. Imperial County says the curfew is
necessary to protect the public from lawless behavior by a small portion of the
people who recreate at the ISDRA. The County’s action appears to have the
blessing of, and was initiated by, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office. It was
kept between them and the County Board of Supervisors. It was not discussed
with, or proposed to, the American Sand Association in advance.

Since there are adequate rules and regulations already in place, The American
Sand Association is opposed to additional curfews and additional laws. The
ASA’s main objection to the curfew is that it affects the law-abiding users of
the ISDRA who enjoy “running Comp” at night for the fun and challenge. Moreover,
the Bureau of Land Management has stated repeatedly that their “Zero Tolerance”
enforcement methods, begun in January 2002, have had a significant positive
impact reducing past problems.

“Since last year, we have been suggesting checkpoints at the entrance of Comp
Hill to identify liquor violations, illegal activity, or other rule violations:
but certainly not a curfew,” says Bob Mason, ASA’s Public Safety Committee
Chairman.

The ASA will make every attempt to inform its members of the new ordinance as
quickly as possible. “Our primary concern is that there is inadequate lead time
to inform ISDRA visitors,” says Jerry Seaver, ASA President. “Future actions of
this nature must be coordinated with representatives of the stakeholders if we
are going to communicate effectively and accomplish the desired results.”

For the latest update on the Imperial County’s revised ordinance go to
www.americansandassociation.org

The ASA

hey slappy will this just send everyone to olds everyone can drive trucks in there but they can monitor it because there is only one way in unless you dune it like we do I like the idea and think it should be put in to suggestion about closing sand highway and allowing only duners in. or a check point and the begining of sand highway from gecko and around the trees at the store tehy could catch everyone that causes problems

That is just plain wrong! It's a perfect example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater!

quote:

---

Originally posted by TylerDurden:
That is just plain wrong! It's a perfect example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater!

---

This can be undone. The board of supervisors will be discussing this issue again on November 26th (their next regular meeting).

Go and voice your opinion... for or against the closure. There are other things that can be done i the meantime, but being there Tuesday at 9:30 is one big way to make a change.

Vicki