Public Comments Needed on Draft RAMP and DEIS for ISDRA

[The Lyin King]

The BLM has published a notice of availability for the Draft Recreation Area Management Plan and associated Environmental Impact Statement for the 160,000-acre Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area in Imperial County, California.

OHV management is one of the major issues discussed in the draft plan, including proposed designations for areas that are open, closed or that provide limited access for OHV use.

In limited areas, OHV use is restricted to designated routes and may be further restricted by various conditions, such as the number of vehicles allowed, types and sizes of vehicles allowed and seasonal closures. Dispersed camping is allowed within 300 feet of designated routes, except for certain areas that are deemed sensitive where the limit would be 100 feet.

The draft plan proposes to designate: 127,416 acres of public lands as open, which is an increase of 7,023 acres above current acreage; 52,370 acres as limited, which is a decrease of 16,070 acres; & 35,144 acres as closed, which is an increase 9,046 acres. Areas that prohibit OHV use include areas designated as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Three public meetings are scheduled to discuss the draft plan:

April 13, 2010, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108
April 14, 2010, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Imperial Irrigation District, William R. Condit Meeting Room, 1285 Broadway, El Centro, CA 92243
April 15, 2010, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Mountain Preserve Reception and Conference Center, 1431 E. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85020

Comments on the draft plan will be accepted until June 24, 2010.

It is important that OHV enthusiasts get involved in the designation process by contacting BLM staff.

Comments may be submitted by email to: caisdrmp@ca.blm.gov[/email], by fax to: 760-337-4490 or by mail to:

BLM El Centro Field Office
1661 So. 4th St.
El Centro, CA 92243

Additional information found online:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra/dunesinfo/docs/isdramp.html

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6670.pdf