For Immediate Release: September 15, 2004 CA-CDD-04-67
Contact: Stephen Razo (909) 697-5217; Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220

BLM Director Clarke to Give Awards at Sand Sports Super Show

The National Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Kathleen Clarke, will present special awards to the Imperial Sand Dunes Law Enforcement Coalition and the American Sand Association (ASA) at the Sand Sports Super Show in Orange County on September 17.

The awards will honor the Coalition and the ASA for their leadership in conservation and recreational safety programs throughout the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) in Imperial County, California. The awards highlight the Coalition and the ASA's commitment to what the Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton, calls the 4C's: consultation, cooperation and communication all in the service of conservation.

Clarke is participating by invitation of the ASA, a key participant in the Sports Show being held at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center in Costa Mesa, CA. "I am excited to be coming to the Sports Show to present these awards. Both organizations have much to be proud of regarding the advancement of our mutual goals," said Clarke.

Members of the Imperial Sand Dunes Law Enforcement Coalition include the Bureau of Land Management, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, National Park Service, California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the U.S. Border Patrol. The Coalition presents a strong and well-coordinated presence to protect the public and officers, especially during holiday weekends that can draw up to 200,000 visitors. This united effort was extremely successful in reducing the number of injury accidents and law enforcement related incidents at the ISDRA.

In recent years, the ASA has worked to improve safety and reduce unlawful activity of public land visitors at the 160,000-acre ISDRA. The ASA showed strong support for the recreation area's law enforcement effort by promoting a checkered flag program for off-road vehicles. The checkered flag represents the visitor's support of laws and regulations throughout the ISDRA. Also, outreach efforts include billboard signs that promote Dunes safety, as well as flyers, and airborne banners on busy holiday weekends.

Bob Mason, ASA Public Safety Committee Chairman, said, "The ASA leadership and its members are honored by Director Kathleen Clarke's visit to the Sands Super Sports Show and by the BLM Director's 4C's Award recognizing our organization's commitment to working with the Bureau and others to enhance recreational conservation on public lands in southern California."

The BLM, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages over 15 million acres of public lands in California.

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