News Release

For Release: February 21, 2003

Contact: Stephen Razo (909) 697-5217

CA-CDD-03-27

President's Day Weekend at Dunes Brings Praises

The recent President's Day holiday weekend at the Imperial Sand Dunes saw a quiet yet appreciative crowd anxious to voice their approvals.

"You guys are doing a great job...otherwise we wouldn't come out," stated Jeff Burnett of Bloomington, Calif. while enjoying the three-day holiday with his family.

The Burnett family was part of 60,000 visitors at the Dunes this past holiday weekend in which law enforcement actions and emergency medical responses continued their downward trend since the 2001 Thanksgiving weekend.

Law enforcement and support personnel from California Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of State Parks and Recreation, California Department of Forestry, National Park Service, San Diego County Sheriff, and the U.S. Border Patrol, team-up with the BLM and Imperial County through a multi-agency Incident Command and Control System. The system was successfully deployed last season and results were immediate with a continued return to normalcy being observed by visitors as well as officials

"We are making a positive impact," said Robert Zimmer, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) El Centro Field Office chief ranger. "This season has been very mild and we have been able to deal with any problem that has arisen."

The 2001 Thanksgiving holiday weekend at the Dunes witnessed a high level of uncontrolled behavior with Competition Hill being a major site for lawlessness, violence and drug use. This activity prompted the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to pass an ordinance (No. 1359) this past November upon the recommendation of the Imperial County Sheriff's Department to close Competition Hill at night during major holiday weekends.

The action has met little resistance from the off-road community and has been praised by Duners such as Roy Fulk of Norwalk, Calif. who stated, "Close Comp...love it!"

The Dunes holiday season will come to a close with the upcoming Easter weekend, April 18-21.

-- BLM --

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT California

News Release For Release: February 21, 2003 Contact: Stephen Razo (909) 697-5217 CA-CDD-03-27 President's Day Weekend at Dunes Brings Praises The recent President's Day holiday weekend at the Imperial Sand Dunes saw a quiet yet appreciative crowd anxious to voice their approvals. "You guys are doing a great job...otherwise we wouldn't come out," stated Jeff Burnett of Bloomington, Calif. while enjoying the three-day holiday with his family. The Burnett family was part of 60,000 visitors at the Dunes this past holiday weekend in which law enforcement actions and emergency medical responses continued their downward trend since the 2001 Thanksgiving weekend. Law enforcement and support personnel from California Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of State Parks and Recreation, California Department of Forestry, National Park Service, San Diego County Sheriff, and the U.S. Border Patrol, team-up with the BLM and Imperial County through a multi-agency Incident Command and Control System. The system was successfully deployed last season and results were immediate with a continued return to normalcy being observed by visitors as well as officials "We are making a positive impact," said Robert Zimmer, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) El Centro Field Office chief ranger. "This season has been very mild and we have been able to deal with any problem that has arisen." The 2001 Thanksgiving holiday weekend at the Dunes witnessed a high level of uncontrolled behavior with Competition Hill being a major site for lawlessness, violence and drug use. This activity prompted the Imperial County Board of Supervisors to pass an ordinance (No. 1359) this past November upon the recommendation of the Imperial County Sheriff's Department to close Competition Hill at night during major holiday weekends. The action has met little resistance from the off-road community and has been praised by Duners such as Roy Fulk of Norwalk, Calif. who stated, "Close Comp...love it!" The Dunes holiday season will come to a close with the upcoming Easter weekend, April 18-21. -- BLM --

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