Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Changes

Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Set to Change Closures this Fall

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that locations previously identified as closed for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use will change in the fall of 2014. A recent court decision paved the way for the BLM to implement the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP), allowing for increased OHV riding opportunities in the recreation area and for better protection of natural resource values such as the Peirson’s milkvetch.

Implementation of the Imperial Sand Dunes RAMP requires education and outreach such as new maps and signing directing riders to open areas and away from closures intended to protect critical habitat for Peirson’s milkvetch. The BLM will seek assistance from local partners to help with this effort in preparation for the upcoming 2014-2015 season and requests that visitors continue to respect all existing regulatory signs until they are changed.

“Visitors to the Imperial Sand Dunes have patiently waited for implementation of the new RAMP, and we are very excited that new riding opportunities are just around the corner,” said El Centro Field Manager Thomas Zale. “I appreciate the cooperative spirit of our dunes visitors and will be working hard with staff and partners to get ready for great times next season in America’s Great Outdoors!”