The results of the ISDRA TRT 2004-05 Dune Users Survey are ready. The TRT and the BLM El Centro Field Office would like to thank those who participated.

A total of 767 dune users responded. To read a synopsis of the survey, click on Read More.

The Survey Says: (bold reflects Question and most responded Answers)

The average Dune User visits the ISDRA 5 to 6 times per year (22%), spends 3 days on each trip (48%), and transports 2 people in their Primary Vehicle (31%). They visit the ISDRA on Holiday and Non-Holiday weekends (71%), with the most visited Holidays being Presidents Day (21%), Thanksgiving (20%), and New Years (19%).

They feel that the current level of Trash Dumpsters are fine (64%), and that the Portable Toilets should be left at current quantities (50%). There are some Dune Users (19%) that feel that the portable toilets should be replaced by permanent Pit Toilets and are nearly even split for putting them at Wash Road (36%) and Dune Buggy Flats (35%). However, other Dune Users (23%) feel the portable toilets should be eliminated.

Most Dune Users feel that Law Enforcement presence is fine at the current levels (61%), while 22% feel there should be less. More feel that Emergency Medical Services are fine at the current levels (73%), while 25% would like to see more EMS.

When it comes to Road Grading, Dune Users feel that the current levels are fine for Wash Road (62%) and Gordon's Well Road (72%). There are some who would like to see Wash Road graded more often (24%). Dune Users are also fine with the current levels of when sand is cleared from paved surfaces on Gecko Road (82%) and Grey's Well Road ( 82%).

The survey indicates that the average Dune User feels that Vendor services are important. 57% said that the current level is fine, while 37% thought more vendor services are needed. Only 6% thought less are needed.

The current tallied results show 767 dune users responded to this survey. 172 printed and 595 on the isdratrt.org website.

An Excel Spreadsheet with detailed results can be found in the Documents Section. CLICK HERE to go there.

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Thanks,
The ISDRA TRT

Interesting read. Thank you for posting this.

One thing missing, is the comment section..Any chance those are close enough to notice some trends?

The comments were many and varied. I don't recall how many. The most common was to open the closed areas. Others ranged from add handicapped camping pads to extend Gecko to Gordon's. A little bit of everything.

It will take a some more free time to get the comments sorted.

I figured they would cover a wide range of subjects, and there are probably some real nuggets in there..

Thanks again.

Yeah, like....

brass poles and nude dancers

Interesting... the "number 1" issue that we face this upcoming season is the dumpsters and 64% feel that our current level is adequate... even though the BLM does not have the funds to obtain an equivalent amount of turtle safe boxes (dumpsters). I wonder if they consider the overflow 6' away from the dumpsters last year on busy weekends to be adequate One bag that prevents a lid from closing or that gets left on the ground... is in violation ...and as BS as it sounds, enough to get the ball rolling on closures/limited access.

Good to know folks like the roads graded... looking like we'll have much more of this in the future... and a "dust prevention" program in the middle of the desert Can't wait until the install the air quality monitors out there

37% want MORE vendor services and only 6% want LESS ...that 6% should be happy with the RAMP thining out some vendors.

Good point on the dumpsters.

Two things to keep in mind; 1) the survey cautioned about additonal costs, which could have contributed to the "current levels are fine" annswers; and 2) except for the very tail end, this survey was completed before the portion of the BO addressing the "raven and coyote inaccessible dumpsters" were getting much attention among the general duning public.