BLM to Implement New Fee Schedule for the Imperial Sand Dunes

Posted on August 24, 2013

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a decision to implement a new fee schedule that would increase fees for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) starting in the 2013-2014 season. The new fee schedule received extensive public review and input from stakeholders and partner organizations, including a unanimous recommendation by the California Desert Advisory Committee (DAC) to proceed with a fee increase for the ISDRA.

Thomas Zale, BLM El Centro Field Manager, said, “Our BLM staff and partners work hard to maintain the Dunes as a world class off-highway vehicle recreation destination and a safe place to experience America’s Great Outdoors. The fees we collect go towards visitor services and allow us to maintain a clean, safe, family friendly recreation area. Imperial County, our partners and our stakeholders, helped in the development of a new fee schedule that works.”

The new fee schedule includes several changes to the fee program that will be implemented during the 2013-2014 season, including:

The fee season will be reduced to October 1 through April 15 each year;
Off-site weekly permits will be available for $35;
On-site weekly permits will be available for $50; and
Season permits will be available for $150, and will be a sticker to be applied to the vehicle.

The Desert Advisory Committee (DAC) provided additional recommendations related to the overall fee program. These recommendations will be addressed through continuing collaboration with the public through the DAC ISDRA subgroup. The council recently met under the authority of the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act.

More information about the fee proposal can be found at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra/dunesinfo/docs/isdrabp.html or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BLMimperialsanddunes.

Located in the southeast corner of California, the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area is the largest mass of dunes in the state. Formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the dune system extends for more than 40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide. Also known as “Glamis” and a favorite location for OHV enthusiasts, the dunes also offer fabulous scenery, opportunities for solitude, and a home to rare plants and animals.