trapperb1
07/28/05, 2:40 PM
At the last ASA BOD meeting this weekend, Neil Hamada, Dune Manager of the BLM, gave us some new info and I'd like to help spread the word.
First, the temporary closures along Gecko Road and Gordon's Wells will be lifted!!!!:D:D They'll be open again without restrictions.
Next, the large central closure (stay with me here this will take a bit). . . .
The boundaries are redrawn, from 49,000 acres to 32,000. That's a good thing. Now, the 32,000 are an AMA (Adaptive Management Area) and are open under certain conditions
1. No night riding at all. Dusk to dawn only
2. Permit riders only!
To obtain a permit, go to the ranger station (we were told they would be available in the south dunes also) and take a 4 question test and get a permit. Each permit will have the option of up to 7 riders on it. If you get a permit and only want to have 3-4 riders, the other 3-4 permits won't be issued. Also, only 75 permits per day for a total of 525 riders per day. Each permit can be good for up to 7 days, as few as 1. If you want to have 8 riders, you'll need to request 2 permits. Each person that wants to ride in the AMA will have to appear and take the test to get a permit. I know that's not real clear is it? I also don't like it, but that's what we get this year.
Neil did say that they plan to have the permits available online next year.
Hill 6 will now be in the "open" dunes again!!!
The boundary on the north end of Patton Valley will be moved north to the valley. I guess this means you can now (OK, next season) actually ride over Patton Valley Wall!!
Vendors. . . .vendors will only be able to be open and sell 4 days a week. I think Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they actually have to leave, pack it up and go somewhere. Again, I don't think this is fair but it is a part of the RAMP.
So, we get some land back unconditionally, and some with conditions. The AMA is suppossed to be "adaptive." Meaning, if we don't destroy all the flora/fauna and bugs/lizards/tortise et.al. they can ease up on the restrictions. If we trash the place, restrictions get tighter.
[u]Trash is going to be a major problem!!!!!!!!</u>
Because of the RAMP, all dumpsters must now be coyote and raven proof. That means instead of the large 20+ yard dumpsters, we get a whole bunch of the little ones like out behind the supermarkets. They will all have lids. Two things; the first bag of trash on the ground by a dumpster puts us in violation of the Biological Opinion (BO), and the first bag in a dumpster that keeps the lid from closing puts us in violation of the BO.
The new canal in south dunes. . .yes, it will have an impact on Test Hill. Seems the public comment period was way back in '96 or so. I don't know exactly how much it will have. There are some comments on the ASA BBS about this.
First, the temporary closures along Gecko Road and Gordon's Wells will be lifted!!!!:D:D They'll be open again without restrictions.
Next, the large central closure (stay with me here this will take a bit). . . .
The boundaries are redrawn, from 49,000 acres to 32,000. That's a good thing. Now, the 32,000 are an AMA (Adaptive Management Area) and are open under certain conditions
1. No night riding at all. Dusk to dawn only
2. Permit riders only!
To obtain a permit, go to the ranger station (we were told they would be available in the south dunes also) and take a 4 question test and get a permit. Each permit will have the option of up to 7 riders on it. If you get a permit and only want to have 3-4 riders, the other 3-4 permits won't be issued. Also, only 75 permits per day for a total of 525 riders per day. Each permit can be good for up to 7 days, as few as 1. If you want to have 8 riders, you'll need to request 2 permits. Each person that wants to ride in the AMA will have to appear and take the test to get a permit. I know that's not real clear is it? I also don't like it, but that's what we get this year.
Neil did say that they plan to have the permits available online next year.
Hill 6 will now be in the "open" dunes again!!!
The boundary on the north end of Patton Valley will be moved north to the valley. I guess this means you can now (OK, next season) actually ride over Patton Valley Wall!!
Vendors. . . .vendors will only be able to be open and sell 4 days a week. I think Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they actually have to leave, pack it up and go somewhere. Again, I don't think this is fair but it is a part of the RAMP.
So, we get some land back unconditionally, and some with conditions. The AMA is suppossed to be "adaptive." Meaning, if we don't destroy all the flora/fauna and bugs/lizards/tortise et.al. they can ease up on the restrictions. If we trash the place, restrictions get tighter.
[u]Trash is going to be a major problem!!!!!!!!</u>
Because of the RAMP, all dumpsters must now be coyote and raven proof. That means instead of the large 20+ yard dumpsters, we get a whole bunch of the little ones like out behind the supermarkets. They will all have lids. Two things; the first bag of trash on the ground by a dumpster puts us in violation of the Biological Opinion (BO), and the first bag in a dumpster that keeps the lid from closing puts us in violation of the BO.
The new canal in south dunes. . .yes, it will have an impact on Test Hill. Seems the public comment period was way back in '96 or so. I don't know exactly how much it will have. There are some comments on the ASA BBS about this.