Sand dunes are 'golden goose'

SERGIO ESTRADA PHOTO U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (right) chats with Bill Gay (from left) of Reliance Communications in El Centro and Imperial Irrigation District Director Rudy Maldonado during the Imperial Valley Economic Development Summit on Thursday at the Imperial Valley Expo in Imperial.
by RUDY YNIGUEZ, Staff Writer

IMPERIAL — The sixth annual Imperial Valley Economic Development Summit brought forth experts to tell the community what they think the future might hold for the Valley.

It also brought some bad news.

On the former, Colorado State University professor Glenn Haas spoke about the area's recreation and tourism.

"It's a big industry and I think you have a big opportunity here," Haas said.

Haas said no other recreational sector is growing as fast as off-roading, and Imperial County is well positioned to take advantage of that growth. He said in 1999, 17 percent of the population participated in off-road activities, while in 2003, 23 percent said they participated in off-roading.

"I believe your golden goose is the sand dunes," he said, adding 1.2 million people visit the dunes, with 80 percent being repeat visitors, consisting mostly of families who make a significant financial contribution to the area. He cautioned, however, that more visitors is not necessarily better. "You can kill your golden goose. There is a balancing act."

Haas suggested one way to improve the local economy would be to market the area to sand dunes visitors so they will spend more money locally.

"You can't ride a dune buggy 12 hours a day," he said.

Haas also suggested publishing a periodical aimed at off-roaders, letting them know what is available locally, but not a publication that comes out frequently. He said there should be a state welcome center and that the community should hang out signs welcoming visitors to the dunes.

Finally, Haas said the community should look to "the sleeping giant," the Salton Sea.

"It's a big economic resource. It's a big economic opportunity," Haas said. "Think big, think big."

While the presentations were mostly upbeat, with experts describing the opportunities available to the Imperial Valley as well as some of the opportunities missed, there was some bad news on the transportation side.

"I'm from Sacramento. I need your help," said Steven Maller, California Transportation Commission deputy executive director, who oversees statewide transportation project delivery and the efficient use of the state's transportation resources. "The transportation system in California is broken. We have no money."

Maller said the state is so broke when it comes to money for transportation, maybe someday the state will reimburse the local community for the costs of improving roads near the Imperial Valley Mall. He said a clause in Proposition 42, which earmarked money for transportation, allowed the Legislature to redirect the money to other uses if the state is in a fiscal emergency. Haas said the state has been in a fiscal emergency ever since.

"The situation is very, very bleak," he said. "The money is being borrowed away. It is not being put into transportation."

Haas said where the state once had a surplus of transportation dollars, it no longer does. Making matters worse, Haas said the state is facing a significant cost overrun to seismically retrofit Bay Area bridges. He said the estimate for the repairs has gone from about $5 billion to $8.5 billion and Bay Area leaders want the whole state to pay, not just those who use the bridges.

Haas said his message is that people should let their legislators know transportation needs should be prominent on legislators' plates.

The summit's theme was, "Explosive Growth with Vision: Preparing a Recipe for Success."

Other panel discussions were titled, "The Basic Ingredients," "Rising to the Occasion," "Kneading the Dough," and "Delivering the Goods."

The summit's sponsors include Southern California Gas Co., Imperial Irrigation District, Valley Independent Bank, Imperial Valley Association of Governments and Salton Sea Authority.

>> Staff Writer Rudy Yniguez can be reached at ryniguez@ivpressonline.com and at 337-3440.

"Haas suggested one way to improve the local economy would be to market the area to sand dunes visitors so they will spend more money locally.

"You can't ride a dune buggy 12 hours a day," he said."

C- A- S- I- N- O

With a vegan bar for hikers of course. About 2 barstools oughta do it.

Yeah, but Tegan rides. She isn't a damn hiker.