The TRT is the committee that meets with the BLM and suggests how the fee demo money should be spent.

True Glamis representatives are very important... we need to pack it full of people who truly thrive on Glamis sand, not just the casual observers.

This is where the Glamis duning community really has a chance to make a difference and really has a chance to manage the Glamis land managers.

Vicki

U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
News Release

For Immediate Release: July 24, 2003 CA-CDD-03-63
Contact: Neil Hamada (760) 337-4451; E-Mail: nhamada@ca.blm.gov


BLM Seeks Representatives to Serve on Imperial Sand Dunes Technical Review Team

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) El Centro Field Office is accepting applications for representatives to serve on the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) Technical Review Team (TRT), which provides input to the El Centro Field Office on prioritizing the ISDRA Recreation Management Plan implementation schedule and the use of fees collected at the ISDRA.

The categories of interests the TRT appointees will represent are California and Arizona off-highway vehicle (OHV) interests, Imperial and Yuma counties, and economic interests. A member of the California Desert District Advisory Council also is appointed to serve on the TRT.

The TRT meets two to three times a year. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for the second week of September, with additional meetings to be held in late January and late July. The meetings are held at the BLM office in El Centro between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and usually lasts about 4 hours. Two conference calls, and more if needed, will also be scheduled during the week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., lasting about two hours.

Applications must be received by August 15, 2003, and may be submitted online at www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro or to Neil Hamada, Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area manager, by e-mail at nhamada@ca.blm.gov or by FAX (760) 337-4490. Applications can also be mailed to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Neil Hamada, 1661 S. 4th St, El Centro, CA 92243, and must include a resume with responses to the following questions: What is your professional and recreation background and qualifications; why do you want to be a member of the ISDRA Technical Review Team; and will you have any problem attending the meetings in El Centro or participating in the conference calls? Selections will be made by August 25, 2003.

For further information contact Neil Hamada at 760-337-4451.

The link wasn't working because of a silly little comma, which I have removed.

This TRT really needs to be stacked in our favor, and needs to be filled with people who actually use the Imperial Sand Dunes (gee, am I repeating myself????). The procedure for consideration seems pretty simple, but if anyone would like some assistance, I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

The ISDRA needs ISDRA people directing it (sorry, there goes that repetition problem again).

Vicki

Vicki, could you please explain in more detail, how this works and kind of input is taken from TRT members? How does the TRT input really apply at the dunes? How many people make up the TRT?
Just give us more than what the BLM gave.
Thanks.

Sure Tom, I'd be happy to. I have a detailed explanation somewhere that I can't seem to put my finger on right now... I'll find it and post it. In the meantime...

The TRT was designed to be basically used as the liaison between the BLM and the dune visitors. As such, in addition to regular meetings the TRT is sometimes approached with requests for input or assistance.

Aside from those moments, there are two main things the TRT will contribute to. One is to advise the BLM on how the collected fees should be spent. Let's say someone comes up with the idea that the ISDRA could really use a beachcomber to help with the cleanups. That's something that will have to be decided by the BLM, with input from the TRT.

The other main area of input will be in implementing the action items (basically a to-do list) shown in the RAMP. The TRT will help prioritize the action items to help ensure they are completed.

This is a most excellent time to take part in this. And it's really important that true dune users become involved, so that an accurate representation of dune visitors sits on the TRT.

Vicki

From the TRT's page at glamisonline.org:
[quote]Technical Review Team Mission Statement
The eleven member Technical Review Team, appointed by the Bureau of Land Management is comprised of ISDRA recreational sand dune visitors and concerned individuals from California and Arizona. Members appointed to the TRT represent various organized off highway groups, The Dune Patrol, Desert Advisory Council, Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, and local residents from Imperial and Yuma County.

Your TRT members are committed to protecting and enhancing the recreation opportunities at ISDRA and representing all Imperial Sand Dunes Recreationists by advising the Bureau of Land Management on it's experimental Fee Demo Program and the expenditure of California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (Green Sticker) grants and federal appropriated funding.

The TRT will strive for a consensus vote during recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management and to the Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission regarding Fee Demo boundaries, Imperial Dunes program, and to the expenditure of available funding for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. If a full consensus is unreachable, then the weighted results of a majority shall be presented.

Additional duties of your TRT will include providing advice to the Bureau of Land Management during their revision of the Recreational Area Management Plan (RAMP).

[/quote]

gg

QUOTE

The eleven member Technical Review Team, appointed by the Bureau of Land Management is comprised of ISDRA recreational sand dune visitors and concerned individuals from California and Arizona. Members appointed to the TRT represent various organized off highway groups, The Dune Patrol, Desert Advisory Council, Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, and local residents from Imperial and Yuma County.

As a concerned individual AND a dune visitor I have to wonder what value I recieve by having the TRT sit on the Draft Business Plan for a week before diseminating it to the people it purports to represent. These back room deals and secrecy tactics have to stop!

You cry because you don't get to get any input after making very little effort to become involved, cut out DUNERS from the process by throwing a tantrum to the BLM and then withhold the information from the public until the last minute. You may say DUNERS did the same thing. DUNERS made the calls and got involved and at no time tried to shut out anyone else. DUNERS in fact led the way by keeping people informed about what was going on. NOT THE TRT. Why wait a week to put this important document out? Let the excuses start!

And I am supposed to respect you people?

QUOTE

From the TRT's page at glamisonline.org: QUOTE Technical Review Team Mission Statement The eleven member Technical Review Team, appointed by the Bureau of Land Management is comprised of ISDRA recreational sand dune visitors and concerned individuals from California and Arizona. Members appointed to the TRT represent various organized off highway groups, The Dune Patrol, Desert Advisory Council, Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, and local residents from Imperial and Yuma County. Your TRT members are committed to protecting and enhancing the recreation opportunities at ISDRA and representing all Imperial Sand Dunes Recreationists by advising the Bureau of Land Management on it's experimental Fee Demo Program and the expenditure of California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (Green Sticker) grants and federal appropriated funding. The TRT will strive for a consensus vote during recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management and to the Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission regarding Fee Demo boundaries, Imperial Dunes program, and to the expenditure of available funding for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. If a full consensus is unreachable, then the weighted results of a majority shall be presented. Additional duties of your TRT will include providing advice to the Bureau of Land Management during their revision of the Recreational Area Management Plan (RAMP). gg

Thank you Greg.

In my opinion very little of what is written here has actually been done, especially in the very recent past.

Egad, I really need to rant :rant:

There is little or no communication between the current TRT members and the actual dune users. Unless I am mistaken, the members of the TRT are appointed as representatives, not as individuals. If so, they have a responsibility to promote, educate and seek the participation of those they represent.

This has not been happening.

For instance, very recently the TRT was upset with the BLM because they felt the BLM had not included them enough in this business plan process. They made it clear to the BLM that as the "liaison" committee between the dune users and the BLM, they cannot be effective unless they are given more info or are more actively involved in the process.

And so the TRT (only) was given the rough draft of the business plan for review and comment. The draft is dated 7/21/03.

In spite of the fact that DUNERS has literally been the only organization openly presenting and seeking input regarding this business plan, it took numerous phone calls and email before a copy was furnished, on 7/28/03, with a deadline for comment of August 1st. You do the math.

Prior to our posting it for review, it was not posted, it was not processed, it was not offered for review and it was not openly discussed. A week has been wasted.

Please explain to me precisely where the recommendations to the BLM would be coming from without reaching beyond the individuals who sit on the TRT.

The answer is simple. The recommendations presented to the BLM would be crafted by the individuals and not those they represent, simply because those they represent didn't even have a clue of what was happening.

This circumvents the public process and provides unfair representation. THIS MUST STOP.

Please... we need excellent and committed representation on the TRT, especially now when the ISDRA is striving to become self sufficient. If you want to make sure that the BLM will have adequate input from dune users, please follow the link and apply for the job.

Vicki

PS Sorry about the rant... But it could have been worse... I could have saved it for Monday night

Here are the TRT representatives (that are listed on GlamisOnLine.org). Find yours and make sure they start truly representing you.

Those of you who have been to the meetings where I do a lot of talking know what I say over and over and over again... KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR LEADERS!

Jerry Seaver, Chairman
Selected to the TRT representing Arizona dune users. AzSandman2@aol.com

Larry Jowdy, Vice Chairman
Selected to the TRT representing California dune users. TRTEMAIL@AOL.COM

Robert Trent
Representing: Dune Patrol

Jim Bramham
Representing: OHMVR Commission

Harold Soens
Representing: AMA District 38/CORVA

Betty Jo Grajeda
Representing: Arizona Dune Recreationists

Carol Monahan
Representing: Dune Patrol

Bob Ham


Justin Cole
Representing: San Diego Off Road Coalition

Clint Curry
Representing: Yuma County, AZ

Roy Denner
Desert Advisory Council Representative. E-mail: RDenner@prodigy.net

Louie Hirth
Louie is the owner of Liberty Motor Sports in Yuma, AZ. LIBERTYM@mindspring.com

Bob Ham represents Imperial Valley Business and political interests.

For the record and if anyone gives a shiaat I put my hat in the ring.

TRT has failed us and the BLM isn't going to give the ASA or DUNERS or any other org info unless it goes thru the TRT. So now we are JACKED.

Of course you know Vicki and I won't let this one go. We are on it.

And let me guess, the TRT will come up with some excuse why they can't let this information out to the public until things are set in stone.

So THEY get to have input, but nobody else except their tight circle of friends. This is great representation. They must have taken the operating model from the OHMVR stakeholder roundtable.

The only OHV group that puts out information to the public in a timely manner is shut out.

[quote]And let me guess, the TRT will come up with some excuse why they can't let this information out to the public until things are set in stone.

So THEY get to have input, but nobody else except their tight circle of friends. This is great representation. They must have taken the operating model from the OHMVR stakeholder roundtable.

The only OHV group that puts out information to the public in a timely manner is shut out.[/quote]

Exactly. And we can't do a damn thing about it until September.

Except bitch and moan in the meantime of course :rant:

well, i just posted this over on the TRT message board.

http://www.americansandassociation.org/php...p=105584#105584

Is the TRT not suppose to help inform dune users of what is going on in the ISDRA? Also have an input on the "business" of the ISDRA?

So what have you done for me lately?

Rasied camping fee's...

Run out the Vendors...

Added more laws... (can't enforce the current ones)

What's next???

Thanks

That's precisely what the TRT is supposed to do. There are representatives from organizations and representatives from various factions of society. For instance, Larry Jowdy is the representative that is supposed to be keeping the California duners informed.

Too often the information that reaches the TRT stops there, or only goes to a chosen few.

And yet we are being forced to rely on this system for our information about what's happening at Glamis.

Oh, but I'm assured it's all going to be okay and will improve, since the current TRT members will be replaced soon by New and Improved TRT members.

That's not good enough. During the interim period decisions are being made about the ISDRA that will last long after the New and Improved TRT members move on.

Vicki

Isn't the ASA board or the GOL board supposed to keep current information about the TRT? I thought that was partially the original purpose. I look all the time and rarely see much updated information about the TRT. Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot? Or is another area where our "representatives" have dropped the ball?

Vicki, call me 619-252-7543

QUOTE

Vicki, call me 619-252-7543

Crash, I'm just finishing up that online meeting... sorry to cut the conversation so short We'll talk tomorrow

Vicki

Vicki, who is this guy?

Don't call me yet, researching before I want to talk to you.

http://www.americansandassociation.org/new...cle&article=103

Are you asking about Arthur Phillips?

He's with Thomas Olsen & Associates, the firm that was hired to perform the studies on the PMV.

The firm is very good and above reproach. Phillips himself is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and usually is found on the other side of the table. That means the data must be very strong for him to actually believe the PMV is thriving in spite of (or because of?) OHV use.

I'll give you a call around noon... heading into the office now.

Vicki

Just so you know, Ive applied for the position. Hopefully we can get someone good on there.

QUOTE

Just so you know, Ive applied for the position. Hopefully we can get someone good on there.

Excellent Tecateman!!

Crash has applied also, as has Chuck Mobley.

I think anyone who is interested should put their hat in the ring. It would be wonderful to have a great big pool of great people for them choose from

Vicki

Taken from the BLM's site.

QUOTE

The TRT meets two to three times a year. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for the second week of September, with additional meetings to be held in late January and late July. The meetings are held at the BLM office in El Centro between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and usually lasts about 4 hours. Two conference calls, or more if needed, will also be scheduled during the week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., lasting about two hours. This is a volunteer position.

Those of you that are putting blame on the TRT, would be wise to ask a current member of the TRT what kind of power they had and what info they were given by the BLM.
Basically I believe the BLM has wasted the passion of the current TRT members. Before you go blaming the TRT, find out what the BLM has allowed them to do.

The new members of the TRT have an opportunity to serve the dune community. But with out the BLM's openness to their 'Books', costs, and resource payments, will the TRT be able to do anything new?

In the past the TRT has just been a token conduit for the BLM. Read between the lines if you like, the fault lies with the BLM. If the BLM gives the TRT any real power, then it's a good thing.

Duners will be wise to apply. But if the BLM continues to waste the TRT's brain power and doesn't take what members of the TRT have to say serious, then what is the point of even having a TRT?

I believe the TRT members should have told you of the BLM's unwillingness to work together with the TRT. I believe the TRT didn't tell us anything because there was nothing to tell. BUT, they (the TRT) should have told us this!

In short, the TRT has no real power, except what the BLM gives them. So without the BLM's willingness to change, a year from now the new TRT members will be as frustrated as the old TRT members. Let's just hope the new members are open and honest with us the dune users.

I have no visions of grandeur.
I have no reason to believe the new TRT will be listened to more than the old TRT.
The BLM must change and give the dune users a voice and the new TRT with some power would be a start.

So come on now, apply for a position that no one will think you are doing a good job at, will take up your personal time. A position that you must take off time from work to do. A position that up until now has had no power. Maybe you'll make a difference. Sure you will.... We'll see.Yea, I sent my app in the first day the request went out.

Steve

QUOTE

I believe the TRT members should have told you of the BLM's unwillingness to work together with the TRT. I believe the TRT didn't tell us anything because there was nothing to tell. BUT, they (the TRT) should have told us this!

So for two or three years the TRT has been inneffective because of the BLM (and that is the BLM's fault) but the TRT hasn't said as much to the people they represent. Why!?

So just because you apply does not mean you will get it, does that Neil guy make the final decision?

The TRT should be telling us everything, in spite of their anger at the BLM.

Each representative on the TRT has the same responsibility, and that is to process the information they are given... to disseminate it to those they represent.

For instance, Larry Jowdy, as the California representative, has the obligation of informing California duners, through organizations, message boards, etc., when he receives information or documents through his position on the TRT.

After the last meeting Mr. Jowdy did post the minutes he received. But not the business plan. In his defense however, he may have been one of the ones that didn't get it.

I actually only know of one person on the TRT who received a copy of the draft plan for certain and he was good enough to forward a copy to me when I asked for it. That was Cricket, the Arizona representative.

It appears the draft of the business plan went to the Chairman of the TRT, who had the obligation to distribute it to the rest of the TRT, and they in turn would inform those whom they represent. But that didn't happen. RadRat and I attended a meeting Tuesday afternoon with Harold Soans (sp?), a member of the TRT, who had yet to receive his copy via the TRT.

As for the BLM's unwillingness to work with the TRT, that may be so but two wrongs don't make a right.

In the very recent past the TRT has been uncooperative and uninformative, ekeing out information at their own discretion rather than as they are obliged to do. The business plan was just the most recent case of this discretionary flow of information. There have been other instances and it's not right, no matter what the BLM has done wrong.

Although the TRT will be changing before season begins, between now and then the Imperial Dunes will be going through too much to allow this pattern to continue. Tuesday afternoon we were assured that this situation would be addressed.

The point here should be to learn from the past and ensure that the new regime will not repeat the pattern of the old.

As managers of the land managers the dune users have to pay close attention and make sure the systems we do have are working to our advantage.

QUOTE

So just because you apply does not mean you will get it, does that Neil guy make the final decision?

I meant to get this clarified during Tuesday's meeting but there were so many other lively discussions that it went clean out of my head.:shock:

I'll get the details and post them.

Vicki

QUOTE

QUOTE I believe the TRT members should have told you of the BLM's unwillingness to work together with the TRT. I believe the TRT didn't tell us anything because there was nothing to tell. BUT, they (the TRT) should have told us this!   So for two or three years the TRT has been inneffective because of the BLM (and that is the BLM's fault) but the TRT hasn't said as much to the people they represent. Why!?

Maybe because your ears aren't as big as your avatars

I've heard it from several members of the TRT many times over. Both when I've asked and without prompting when I've asked other questions about what the TRT is and what it does.

It's also been discussed at their meetings.

But everyone knows a good duner keeps his head in the sand so he can complain about not finding out what's happening even though the info is right there for them.

You can only go so far to make info available - at some point the people you're trying to get it out to have to be looking for it.