Well, here we are. The new RAMP is finally here. Excitement fills the air as we contemplate getting our dunes back.
But what is actually going to happen?

Most likely, the new RAMP will be passed in a few more weeks with little or no changes from it's current version. Very soon after that the Center for Biological Diversity will file a lawsuit, getting a judge to put a hold on the new RAMP until the new lawsuit is tried. The American Sand Association will get in on this suit or file their own also trying to get a hold placed on the new RAMP.
In the meantime we will be forced to sit back and wait while the lawyers and the judges fight it out for the right to dune freely or not to dune freely.
There will be NO duning to "The Wall" this year, I'm afraid.
In addition to the RAMP being released the BLM has made statements, in the RAMP and elsewhere, that the fee for recreating in the dunes, (Demo Fee) will most likely be raised significantly. How much more will it cost to use the dunes this year? Who knows. I would guess that it will be at least TWICE as expensive as last year and the yearly pass may be either drasticly changed or even done away with. My best guess, and this is a wild guess, is that a week long permit will cost as much as $20 and a year long pass may be as much as $100!
Why will the prices go up? It seems that the BLM has decided that there needs to be alot more law enforcement at Glamis. The new RAMP has provisions for closing down Compitition Hill and Olds Hill and the Drags along with Test Hill and Patton Valley. There are also provisions for the BLM to not allow drinking outside of camp. These two provisions alone will require massive increases in the numbers of Law Enforcement Officers, (LEO's).
There are also a few new laws to deal with this year. Most notably the new "Sound Enforcement" that is being mandated by the State of California. All Off-Road vehicles must be able to pass a sound test which consists of testing at 18" from the tailpipe while the vehicle is at a set RPM, (defined by the manufacturer of the vehicle). The vehicle must be quieter then 96DbA. There is also going to be a crack down on spark arrestors and mufflers. All vehicles must have either a spart arrestor or muffler. This new enforcement will require quite a few more LEO's to implement. This all takes money.

So, what do we have to look forward to this year?
No change in the closures.
More restrictions on our vehicles.
More Law Enforcement Officers.
and more Fees.

Damn it's great to be an American, isn't it?

Pastor Vor

I NEVER DID LIKE LISTENING AT CHURCH :bounce: :.(. :.(. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE HEADS UP... I'M WILLING TO PAY NO QUESTION BUT THE LEO'S IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR ALL.. :x :x

Actually VOR Law enforcement is the one thing they can't claim as a reason for increasing fees - they got all of the grant money they were asking for for law enforcement.

What they didn't get was the money they were asking for to cover EVERYTHING else. Search and rescue, dumpsters, portable toilets, management, road grading and all the other stuff that happens out there.

I don't like the idea of fees going up ( I have a hard enough time affording them as it is thanks to my ability to loose my passes ) but let's at least make sure we know what we're complaining about before we open our mouths.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm looking forward to getting a few tickets! yah! :burn: :roll:


Andy

Hot darn a sermon! Slap's been waitin quite awhile now Pastor, and it be makin da Slapster feel all mcfunctified. Changes are ahead, what road will be taken is unknown...Keep them comin...McScrappbook bound...

Amen Brother. Peace

I will prolly be standing in line right behind wappa waiting for my tickets.

Can I just buy my tickets now and get them over with. Then I could fly a special flag stating that I have received and paid all fines that could be issued by the BLM.

No kidding.... i guess my motorhome is gonna get a ticket...

QUOTE

Actually VOR Law enforcement is the one thing they can't claim as a reason for increasing fees - they got all of the grant money they were asking for for law enforcement.   What they didn't get was the money they were asking for to cover EVERYTHING else. Search and rescue, dumpsters, portable toilets, management, road grading and all the other stuff that happens out there.

Well, technically, you're right, Jason. The Green Sticker funds DID come through, for Law Enforcement, but since the "Everything Else" that you mention is simply not going to happen and since it's a good bet that the Grant from California won't come close to paying for all the extra law enforcement and based on past expierence I would say that the likelyhood of our increased Demo Fee money going to law enforcement is pretty good, especially when you factor in the comments that mention the enforcement of the Adaptive Management Area.

Vor

I'll purchase my 10 years of service in the restricted area. Peace

Does anyone notice how the government and its various agencies always provide funds to suppress and harass people but seem to have trouble coming up with the money when it would actually benefit us? Especially when it comes to the OHMVR. This is an agency that has clearly abandoned its mission and is being used by the facist greens to steal from and suppress the OHV community of this state.