After the ASA Info Meeting on May 15, 2010 in La Habra, CA it became clear to us that the public comment period was far too short to provide an opportunity for interested parties to be informed of the Draft Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan (DRAMP) existence, procure a copy, digest the material, and return comments. The release of the DRAMP at the end of the traditional dune visitation season also made communication more problematic.
Therefore ASA requested a 120 day extension to the public comment period for the Imperial Sand Dunes DRAMP. On June 8, 2010 the BLM announced that is extending the public comment period for the Draft Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, for 45 days, giving the public until Aug. 9 to provide input on the plan. Teri Raml, BLM Desert District manager said the BLM had received a number of requests for additional time to comment. “Given the complexity of this plan and the broad public interest in its outcome, we decided an extension of the original 90-day comment period was warranted,” she said.
The ASA Board of Directors and its consultants will use this extension to finalize comments and inform its membership with sufficient notice to allow for effective consideration. In the mean time we strongly encourage everyone to obtain a copy of the DRAMP by visiting the BLM website at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra/dunesinfo/docs/isdramp.html
Also, please review the information provided at the May 15, 2010 LaHabra meeting. You may view the ASA comments at http://files.americansandassociation.org/files/2010%20RAMP/
