For Immediate Release: November 23, 2004 CA-CDD-05-13
Contact: Stephen Razo (951) 697-5217

Dunes Season Maintains "Zero Tolerance," Temporary Closures

With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Imperial Sand Dunes recreation enthusiasts will see a continuation of the "Zero Tolerance" law enforcement policy and interim lawsuit closures temporarily remaining in effect.

The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) continues to enjoy support for law enforcement efforts throughout the Dunes area, said Linda Hansen, Desert District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In order to maintain a family atmosphere and a safe off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation environment, the BLM and Imperial County Sheriff's Office will continue the "Zero Tolerance" policy throughout the upcoming visitation season. As part of the policy, a sobriety checkpoint will be in effect in the Dunes area beginning on Thursday, November 25 through Friday, November 26, 2004.

A coalition of State and Federal law enforcement officers will be enforcing the policy as well as all other rules and regulations in the Dunes. Among these will be enforcement of the Imperial County Safety Ordinance. The ordinance directs that Competition Hill be closed on holiday weekends to all recreationists one half hour before sunset until one half hour after sunrise. According to the ordinance, violations of the closure will be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both. Interim closures affecting about 49,000 acres will continue on a temporary basis due to a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Center for Biological Diversity and others.

Recreation fees remain at $25 per week or $90 for a season pass for each primary vehicle (a primary vehicle is a vehicle that is driven to the Dunes), Ms. Hansen said. As of October 2003, the fee area was increased in size and encompasses the entire ISDRA recreation and planning area. Visitors camping in the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness (which is closed to motorized vehicle use), the Mammoth Wash Open Area, and the area within one mile of the ISDRA boundary are required to purchase a week or season pass immediately upon arrival. A map of the ISDRA planning area can be seen at - http://www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro/ImperialSandDunes/DunesInfo.html. For further information, contact the BLM El Centro Field Office, 760-337-4400.

-BLM-

"visit our website at www.ca.blm.gov"

California Desert District Office - 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California - (951) 697-5220