Rasor Road Improvement Project

SATURDAY, SEPT. 25, 2010

• Check-in will begin at 7:00 a.m. at the Beacon Station located at 66150 Rasor Rd., Baker, CA 92309
• Volunteer crews will work from 8:00 AM until lunch time
• All participants will be served lunch and the first 200 volunteers will receive a public lands day t-shirt

Projects will consist of erecting a trash fence along public land adjacent to the Beacon Station, cleaning up the public land along Rasor & Basin Rd., installing interpretive signs & maps on information kiosks, and signing the OHV boundary.

Please register by September 17, 2010

Sponsored by:

Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office, The Recreation Trails Program through the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, and National Environmental Education Foundation
Call Rose Beardshear at (760) 252-6011 or Rose_Beardshear@ca.blm.gov for more information.

Directions to site:

From I-15 North, exit Rasor Rd. about 12 miles south of Baker, CA. The staging area is in the dirt lot adjacent to the Beacon Station located at 66150 Rasor Rd., Baker, CA 92309.

From I-15 North, exit Barstow Rd. Travel north on Barstow Rd. for approx. 1/2 mile. Turn right into the parking lot of the Desert Discovery Center at 831 Barstow Rd.

We suggest you wear long pants, work boots, hat, and sunscreen. Bring work gloves and plenty of water bottles.

Project 1: General Cleanup along Basin and Rasor Rd.

Objective: Remove trash along Basin and Rasor Rd.

Tasks: Pick up trash along Basin and Rasor Rd. Dumpsters will be placed at the Beacon Station and at the kiosk on Basin Rd. The work consists of picking up scattered household trash, broken glass, and discarded yard waste.

Requirements: Participants can expect to walk on uneven ground. Bending and lifting is required. Pickup trucks are recommended for driving to the site and for hauling trash to a central location.

Project 2: Erect a trash fence along public land adjacent to the Beacon Station

Objective: Erect a t-post fence that will catch the trash that blows from Beacon Station onto public land along Rasor Rd.

Tasks: T-posts will be erected using post pounders and fencing material will be attached using hand tools.

Requirements: Volunteers will be working along uneven terrain. Work will require some knowledge of fencing.

Project 3: OHV Boundary Signing

Objective: Remove old carsonite boundary markers and install new markers along the west and south boundary of the Rasor OHV Area.

Tasks:Install new carsonite boundary markers and remove old markers along the west and south boundary of the Rasor OHV Area.

Requirements: Carsonite signs will be placed with an auger truck and hand-held pilot hole drivers and pounders. Previous experience in sign placement will be useful.

Project 4: Install interpretive signs and maps on information kiosks

Objective: Install a map, rules & regulations, and interpretive signs on metal kiosks that will provide visitor information about the area and the resources in the Rasor OHV Area.

Tasks: Install signs on the existing metal kiosks along Rasor and Basin Roads that will include a map of the area, rules & regulations, and interpretive information of the area.

Requirements: Bending and reaching will be required to post signs on the kiosk. Hand tools will be used to secure the signs in place.

Long Travel Can-Am Commander in the Dunes

Todd from Todd's Custom Billet sent me a few pictures of their long travel kit installed on a Can-Am Commander 1000 X while they were out testing in dunes.  The kit is a +4" and you can use the factory 1000 X Fox shocks or upgrade to Elka.

Also installed on this Commander is a set of their doors and fabric roof. Dune season is going to be even more interesting with this new UTV around! Can't wait to see what manufacturers can put together in time for the Sand Sports Super Show in September.

Check them out on the web at: www.toddscustombillet.com

Be sure to check out our guide to Commander Long Travel Kits. If you manufacture long travel components for the Can-Am Commander, and are interested in being listed, please send us an email.

BLM Launches Social Media to Promote Public Involvement

As part of its ongoing effort to engage the public on issues in more timely and relevant ways, the Bureau of Land Management has entered the realm of social media by establishing a presence on the popular websites Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
“We are excited about using social media to connect with people interested in the management of their public lands,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “Through such media, the BLM will not only be able to reach more citizens in ‘real time,’ but also generate instant feedback on the myriad issues facing our agency.”
Besides the social media accounts set up by the Bureau’s national office in Washington, D.C., more local and subject-specific accounts will be administered by the BLM’s State Offices and various programs throughout the agency. For example, BLM-California, BLM-Colorado, BLM-New Mexico, BLM-Oregon, and BLM-Wyoming have already created Facebook pages, as has the Bureau’s Wild Horse and Burro Program.
Interested parties can begin following the BLM at http://www.facebook.com/BLMNational and http://www.twitter.com/BLMNational . A list of our other social media sites can be found at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/socialmedia.html .
Twitter is a free micro-blogging and social networking service that allows users to send and receive each other’s updates through interactions known as “tweets,” while Facebook allows users to share items of interest with their friends via text, photos, and videos.
The BLM has also established a YouTube channel to share informational videos more easily with the public. The Bureau’s YouTube page is accessible at http://www.youtube.com/BLMNational .
The BLM manages more land – more than 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

DragonFire's Sneak Peak at Customizing the Can-Am Commander

The long-anticipated Can-Am Commander hasn’t even been released to dealerships yet and already DragonFire Racing is developing dozens of new products and accessories for this innovative UTV that has the entire industry craning its collective neck for a peek.

In fact, we’re one of the few companies to get one of these sensational side-by-sides, and we’ve been hard at work coming up with new products for this vehicle for a while now. This gives us ample time to test and design all of the new Can-Am Commander products before the public gets their hands on it. And we have to admit — we’re having a blast!

The 2011 Can-Am Commander lineup, with five models and two engine options, follows through on its promise to bring cutting-edge design, innovation and a focus on convenience, value and usability. This thing is 39 percent more fuel efficient than its class competitor, has more cockpit storage than any other side-by-side, and boasts one of the most powerful engines in the UTV industry.

But somebody’s got to add all the fancy aftermarket equipment, accessories and bells and whistles, and that somebody might as well be us — DragonFire Racing. We have existing DFR products that can be installed on the new Can-Am, as well as a garage full of new products for Can-Am that are immediately available. And by immediately available, we mean you can get them right now.

Our 14-inch Baja Crippler wheels — the strongest beadlock wheel available — feature a reinforced inner ring, an area that has proven to be the highest failure in racing wheels. You can see the 14-inch Baja Crippler wheels here.

In addition, our existing DragonFire racing restraints are ready for installation on the new Can-Ams, featuring safety and comfort and our unique H-style that lets you run the belts around the headrest while staying on your shoulders. To see this product, visit this link.

Other products that we’ve developed in the past month that are specially made for the Can-Am Commander lineup include:

• HID front lights
• LED rear lights
• Three-bulb dome light
• High-back racing seats
• Passenger seat mount
• Seatbelt bar
• Seatbelt “Limp Mode” override that replaces OE belts with race-inspired restraints (required in order to have any aftermarket seatbelt work with the Commander’s electronic system; without it the vehicle will not exceed 10 mph)

Each of the above items is ready to ship today!

DragonFire mechanics hard at work dissecting the new Can-Am Commander

In September, we’ve got another dozen new products for the Can-Am. These DFR products include:

• Slip-on and mid-pipe back exhausts
• Fuel-only ECU
• Quick release steering wheel
• White lighting LEDs
• Seat covers
• Long-travel suspension
• Full cage kit w/ optional spare tire or cooler
• Bed delete option
• Sun top factory cage
• Rear cargo ice chest
• Fender flares

Stay tuned to this blog and DragonFireRacing.com to see these new Can-Am Commander products as they come off the drawing boards and into full development.

About DragonFire Racing:
DragonFire Racing, based in Mesa, Arizona, is the leading manufacturer and supplier of aftermarket racing, performance, and utility parts for ATVs and UTVs.  DragonFire Racing products are available at dealerships worldwide.  For more information, visit www.dragonfireracing.com.

Follow us at: UTVGuide.net Blog

Dual Exhaust Now Available for the Can-Am Commander from Muzzys

Muzzys Performance Products has completed R&D for the Can-Am Commander exhaust. They have two different systems available. The first will be the "Standard" system that will work with the stock lower bed.

The second will be a "Race" version and will require the removal of the lower bed storage area.

Two new exhaust systems from Muzzys compliment the already powerful Can-Am Commander 1000.
Both systems feature large diameter, triple stepped head pipes that merge into the exclusive Muzzy siamese collector and out into large diameter 16" mufflers. The 2-1-2 design achieves proper scavenging with no restriction in flow. The result is seemingly unlimited top end power with low and mid range increases that ordinary dual exhaust systems can't touch.
The low and aggressive "small block" exhaust tone is unmistakable. Sound testing resulted in only 96 decibels (92 decibels with the available Whisper Core kit).
Dual oval aluminum mufflers feature billet aluminum inlets and oultets. The Standard mufflers have dual turn-downs with polished billet exhaust tips. The Race mufflers sport polished billet aluminum faceplates.
Both systems include the Muzzy Modular Endcaps with USFS approved spark arrestor and quiet cores included. Available with polished, brushed or black Teflon® muffler finishes

Direct link:
Can-Am Commander Dual Exhaust from Muzzys

Sand-X Motors Introduce the Sand-X T-ATV Desert Patroller

Originally introduced as a recreational vehicle for the Gulf emirate’s elite, the Swiss company Sand-X Motors has recently introduced the military version of the Sand-X Tracked All terrain Vehicle (T-ATV) designated ‘Desert Patroller’, tailored for security and military market, special operations and military applications.

T-ATV is an ATV category developed as an offshoot from a snowmobile. It uses a hybrid wheel and traction system combining low-pressure tires supported the front end, and a continuous track in the back, providing the traction. this combination offers high stability and safety at all speeds, slope angles and terrain. Like a motorcycle or snowmobile the T-ATV is steered by handlebars. As the name implies, it is designed to handle a wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. With a single track providing traction, the Sand-X T-ATV does not need any ground clearance to overcome obstacles. On desert missions teams riding the Sand-X can cross the terrain to the target in a straight line, through dunes, rocks or other obstacles impeding mobility with other vehicles.

Traveling cross country at high speed enables security teams or special forces to save time, effectively chase fleeting targets and control larger areas with fewer forces. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds, and can reach a top speed of 185 km/h cross country. It can carry a payload up to 300 kg weight, is equipped with extra strong cooling system supporting operations in tropical/desert conditions.

Considering dilemma of dunes dust at Oceano Dune SVRA

Commentary by the Santa Maria Times

Central Coast residents living near the Oceano Dunes have known for years that allowing vehicles on the sand raises a lot of dust. Such knowledge doesn’t require advanced degrees. You can look at the sky and see the dust storm.
Many of those residents have been hammering on local, regional and state officials to do something about controlling the dust clouds. The most popular recommendation from residents is also one of the most obvious, but trickiest — close the dunes to vehicular traffic.
The area is officially named Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, which is essentially a state-sanctioned, open invitation to RVers and offroading enthusiasts to bring their machines to the dunes.
And those riders’ dollars support any number of local people financially, through the businesses that serve the ATV community. An outright ban on ATV riding on the dunes might hurt as many local people as it has helped.
This problem has morphed into a war of wills, with local residents who fancy taking a clean breath on one side and ATV riders who favor launching vehicles on a quick spin around the recreation area on the other.
The battle has been going back and forth for years, and recently at least one of the fights was resolved — to some people’s way of thinking — when San Luis Obispo County officials signed off on an agreement with the state and Air Pollution Control District to begin working on ways to reduce the air pollution.
It is important that the dust be controlled. Health studies indicate the dunes sand contains silica, a carcinogen, the long-term exposure to which can cause upper respiratory illnesses and even premature death in extreme cases.
That the dust problem needs to be mitigated is beyond doubt. But the recent study raises more questions than it answers — perhaps the most important of which is, how much of the dust cloud is caused by machines, and how much by Mother Nature?
The first phase of the agreement calls for creation of a seven-member technical advisory committee, whose primary task is coming up with a plan to control the dust. The next phase is formation of a nine-member oversight committee, whose responsibility is to wade through plans drawn up by the advisory group.
Seems like a recipe for yet another bureaucratic maze, a bottomless government agency hole into which plans, good and bad, could disappear forever.
Even before the first proposal had been made, area residents questioned the validity of such an approach. The word “flawed” came up a lot. We are inclined to agree. When you have a second committee monitoring the work of a first committee, the likelihood of anything worthwhile being accomplished is remote.
Meanwhile, skeptics made a simple point — they can’t breathe — and an even simpler plea — this issue needs is a moratorium on vehicle use at the dunes until the matter can be settled to everyone’s satisfaction.
Full satisfaction for everyone isn’t likely either, but we aren’t convinced this method of dealing with an important regional issue is worthy.
It’s probably only a matter of time until the no-vehicles-on-the-dunes advocates win the sympathy of a majority of the Board of Supervisors, who could trigger the county’s police powers to close the dunes to vehicles. That would likely set off a turf war between the county and state agencies.
This problem cries out for a compromise, perhaps one allowing vehicles on a greatly reduced section of the dunes, coupled with a program to plant dust-controlling vegetation and put fences around areas where the dust problem is greatest and the habitat is the most sensitive.
The dunes are an incredible environmental asset, an important recreational opportunity for people throughout California, and a vital local economic engine. The dunes also present an obvious health concern for some local residents.
The big questions need to be answered and a practical solution found, without wasting time with a flawed committee structure.

New plan could add 40,000 acres for off-highway riding at Glamis

One of the country’s most popular off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding areas could soon see nearly 40,000 acres returned to the OHV ledger, thanks to a new plan developed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
"This is great news," said Nick Haris, AMA western states representative. "The groups that want to restrict off-highway riding have gone to court in the past claiming that the Peirson's milk-vetch growing at Glamis is endangered and needs protection, but the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California recently ruled that the plant is being protected appropriately.”
In April, the BLM released a draft Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the 200,000-acre Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, popularly known as Glamis because of its proximity to that town in the far southeast corner of California.
The Imperial Sand Dunes area ranks as one of the most important public recreation areas nationwide, attracting more than 1.2 million visitors each year. OHV riders, through their purchases of food, fuel and lodging, contribute significantly to the local economy.
The public comment period for the RAMP ended June 23. Federal officials are now reviewing the comments, and the "Preferred Alternative"—that is, the plan that the BLM intends to follow that adds about 40,000 more acres for off-highway riding—is likely to be adopted unless the public-comment process points out a legitimate flaw in the BLM’s planning.
Under the Preferred Alternative of the new RAMP, 179,622 acres would be open to OHVs.
"A lot of credit goes to the BLM for its work to create a good recreational plan for the area, and to the various local groups who have fought the anti-access forces over the years," Haris said.
Those groups include the AMA’s District 37 (Southern California), the Off-Road Business Association, the American Sand Association, the San Diego Off-Road Coalition and others that have fought back in court and organized users to submit comments to the BLM in favor of keeping the dunes open to OHVs.
Regulations and legal challenges have shut down major portions of the dunes that were specifically set aside for motorized recreation, including about 49,000 acres in recent years, leaving just 140,740 acres available for OHV riding.
The RAMP Preferred Alternative designates 11,670 acres as critical habitat closed to OHV recreation to protect the Peirson's milk-vetch, which is a silvery, short-lived plant that can grow to 2.5 feet tall and produces small purple flowers, generally in March or April.
The federal court ruled the BLM critical habitat designation is large enough to adequately protect the plant.
“Under the terms of the California Desert Conservation Area Plan, which has been in effect for decades, open motorized recreation was restricted to less than 2 percent of the California desert,” Haris said. “And since then, opponents of motorized recreation have continued to whittle away at the riding areas that remained, forcing more OHV users onto smaller areas of land.
“This action by the BLM restores some of this vitally important recreational land, preserving responsible riding opportunities for the growing Southern California population,” he said.
It's unknown when the new BLM plan will go into effect.

Dirt Tags Gives Medical Response Team Information They Need

APPLE VALLEY, CA August 11, 2010 ~ Dirt Tags is an innovative new product introduced into the market with the sole purpose of having life saving information readily available. Dirt Tags provide pertinent medical and emergency contact information to medical personnel in case you cannot give the information yourself. Dirt Tags can be purchased individually or in a family pack and generally ship the next day.
Eric “Mustard Dog” Anderson, an offroad rock desert racer, invented Dirt Tags. “We all ride and drive hard, and well, crashes happen. As I am getting ready to go to the Baja 1000, I want someone to know who I am, and what I need if I am wadded up, not just a nobody,” said Anderson who has had an experience where he crashed requiring medical attention with no information on him. “This is something that I will wear every time I go offroading from now on.”
Dirt Tags are a waterproof military style dog tag necklace capable of holding 4 lines of information and come in three colors: Pink, Blue or Black. Utilize the four lines to include your name, allergies, medical conditions and emergency contact information to anyone who reads it. The family pack includes 3 personalized tags, use them all for yourself or customize them for family members.
Great for anyone in the off-road world who ride Dirt Bikes, Quads, Snow Mobiles, Mountain Bikes, or Horses and drive Rock Crawlers, UTV's, Sand Cars, Desert Cars and even Hikers, Skiers, and SnowBoarders. They are also great for anyone working in any type of perilous industry including Heavy Equipment Operators, Mining, Drilling, Logging and Public Safety, and is great for kids away at camp or on school field trips. It is also beneficial to have multiple tags, one on you and one visible on the vehicle.
MSRP: $9.95 for one / $24.95 for three pack
For more information and to order visit www.dirttags.com

DuneFest ready to roll through the weekend

Source: http://www.theumpquapost.com/articles/2010/08/04/local_news/doc4c599c5974737164276453.txt

 

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Organizers say bands and ATV events will draw 8,000 visitors

Let the din of motors, crowds and rock bands begin.

Thousands will begin arriving today for DuneFest 2010.

The festival each year features about any vendor an all-terrain vehicle enthusiast could hope to see under a mid-summer sun in the dunes — and more machismo than they can shake a stick at.

With events like an action movie drive-in, motorcycle aerobatics and ATV races — all on the sand, of course — DuneFest has made a name for itself among the West Coast’s off-roading community.

This year, four-plus-hour rock shows will be the highlight Friday and Saturday evenings. Organizers even added monster truck rides to the schedule.

The Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce estimates about 8,000 visitors will attend the five-day festival. It runs today through Sunday afternoon in the middle riding area of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area south of Winchester Bay.

According to event coordinator Joe Mirvis, DuneFest is a boost to the community’s increasing dependency on tourism.

The event creates a small stimulus for local campgrounds and gas stations, he said. Visitors from Washington, California and farther afield import dollars when they patronize local business.

“Our economy now being based on tourism, we have salmon and sand,” Mirvis said. “So the local area showing support of the ATV industry is important to our economy. There’s a big tourist draw to the dunes.”

Mirvis said the Chamber-organized undertaking is huge.

“We start preparing for DuneFest once DuneFest is over,” he said.

A small army of volunteers and inmate laborers began cordoning off the festival’s boundaries, assembling a huge on-sand stage and building the tracks that will be used for drag and circuit races.

Law enforcement and emergency medical services likewise prepared for the influx of visitors.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jeff Frieze said typically two full-time deputies patrol the middle riding area. During DuneFest, the sheriff’s office tries to keep about one deputy per 1,000 people on the sand — about 10-20 deputies during the five-day event.

“We’re just there to make sure they have a fun, safe event,” Frieze said.

He said deputies commonly respond to injury accidents, or enforce the county’s 2003 prohibition against alcohol on the sand.

Frieze said the most common citations at DuneFest include driving under the influence and minors in possession of alcohol. The number of citations from past events was not readily available by press time.

Mindy Wilson, a paramedic with Lower Umpqua Ambulance, said the hospital-owned emergency medical service will be on-hand all through the event in a sort of mobile emergency room at the Third Beach parking lot.

Although the hospital earlier this year laid off an ambulance crew, Lower Umpqua Hospital is staffing a second crew just for DuneFest. It will be on scene during the races and aerobatics events.

In 2008, EMS providers transported eight patients to the hospital. Another four made emergency room visits in 2009.

Wilson said being at the site of the festival reduces response time and — because services are usually a short ride away — the number of 911 calls coming from DuneFest.

“It alleviates having to drive from Reedsport with lights and sirens, and passing both ways through that congested area,” she said. “We’re already out on the dunes. It’s a much faster response.”

Many riders involved in accidents choose to check in with EMS at the festival rather than calling 911, Wilson said.

“Just because something happens to them, doesn’t mean they necessarily were injured,” she said.

Finding sponsorships, organizing activities and recruiting vendors all happen months before the event kicks off. Mirvis said about 50 vendors will set up shops this year, peddling ATV accessories, clothing, recreational trailers and food.

“Arctic Cat, Kawasaki ... ” he said. “DuneFest is here to show our support of the ATV industry.”

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.dunefest.com.

Safe OHV use in the dunes

Sand dunes pose unique challenges for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. The shifting nature of the often soft, rolling landscapes require off-roaders to stay on their toes, and stay alert for any surface changes typically accompanied by blowing winds.

But these are not the only safety considerations that face OHV riders tackling sand dunes. Tread Lightly, a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible outdoors recreation, offers the following tips for OHV riders to remember when hitting the sand dunes:

• Travel only in areas open to off-highway vehicles. Stay on designated roads and trails adjacent to sand dunes. Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
• Obey speed limits near campgrounds, campsites and people. Reduce speed during periods of blowing sand. Survey the dunes area before riding over it at higher speeds.
• Use stationary landmarks or a GPS to help navigate dunes.
• Watch for ravines, depressions and steep drop offs shaped by blowing sand. Use a spotter when jumping hills or dunes.
• Stay alert for quicksand in low areas between dunes in coastal areas.
• Ride with two or three other riders to reduce your vulnerability during an accident or breakdown.
• Exercise caution when using headphones or ear buds. This can make it difficult to hear and communicate with other people at the dunes. Some localities make it illegal to operate OHVs with both ears covered.
• Don't drink alcohol or use drugs when riding.

Source: Tread Lightly!

Oregon Dunes - Riley Ranch trail OK'd by judge

Source: http://theworldlink.com/news/local/article_99f561e1-fa17-580e-8cf1-6a6d4b69ca7a.html

A U.S. District Court judge has ruled against conservation groups suing the U.S. Forest Service over plans to build a trail for off-road vehicles between Coos County's Riley Ranch and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
The ruling gives Coos County the go-ahead to build a milelong trail that would link the Riley Ranch campground north of North Bend with dune access between Hauser Depot Road and Spinreel.
In the meantime, the county parks service has been shuttling recreational riders and their all-terrain vehicles at no cost.
'That's pretty good news," Commissioner Bob Main said after hearing of the ruling Tuesday afternoon.
The judge ruled in favor of the Forest Service on all points in what Coos County's attorney Ron Yockim called record time.
The parties made oral arguments at the Salem courthouse July 9, and a decision wasn't expected for 30-60 days.
The environmental groups have 60 days to appeal to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, Coos County can move ahead with its design plans and finish paperwork for the bridge easement.
'We'll hold our breath and continue doing what were doing," said Larry Robison, Coos County parks director.
'We still can't do anything if they appeal it."
Environmentalists argued the gravel road would cut through a sensitive vegetation area currently closed to vehicles under the management plan. They say that because the Forest Service already is unable to control illegal riding that damages fragile plant communities, the trail would make matters worse.
Once the direct-access trail is open -- perhaps as early as next summer -- Robison expects Riley Ranch to generate enough revenue to make the parks department self-sufficient.
With an $835,000 grant and lofty ambitions, the county bought Riley Ranch in 2002 for just more than $1 million in hopes it would become a recreational mecca. Since, the total project has surpassed $2 million, with grants covering about half of the development costs.
But setbacks have slowed progress.
Park personnel intended to have the direct-access trail open by this summer, but it was delayed by the suit.
The trail would include an 180-foot bridge going over the railroad. If rail service begins, that also could slow construction.
'Those are details we have to iron out with the Port," Robison said.
Last year was the first that campers could reserve Riley Ranch's 24 campsites, which are equipped with water and electrical hook-ups.
The facility also has 29 first-come, first-served sites and two cabins, which bunk six to eight people, and a more primitive 42-site overflow area. The county completed indoor restrooms and showers last winter.
The south end of Riley Ranch offers a certified motocross track for quads and motorcycles. It opened this summer but is not fully constructed.
The riding loop stretches one-mile, measures 20 feet wide, and spans about six acres. It will include jumps and starting gates. A separate youth circle gives kids a less aggressive area to ride.
With the new motocross track, Robison hopes to attract sanctioned riding events, another source of income.

Imperial Sand Dunes management plan to be reviewed after public comment period ends

Source: http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2010/08/10/local_news/news12.txt

The public comment period has closed for the plan that dictates how the Bureau of Land Management handles the Imperial County sand dunes.

The next part of the process for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area draft management plan is to look back at all the comments received since March when the public comment period opened, said bureau Environment Protection Specialist Erin Dreyfuss. The bureau will address each of the comments before a final record of decision is published.

There may be some slight changes made, but it’s rare for the entire plan to change because of the public comments, she said. Any changes only happen if something is overlooked in the environmental impact statement.

It’s hard to tell what the changes could be without looking at all the comments, which Dreyfuss has not done yet, she said. That’s what the next phase of the project is for.

The earliest it could be done is within 30 days, she said. But it depends on the number of comments received and their significance.

The two-part, 750-page plan includes resource protection, public safety, facility management and more for the 214,930 acres of the eastern Imperial County special recreation management area.

Eight alternatives were presented, which have varying levels of recreation and protection.

A preferred alternative from the bureau provides a balance between authorized resources use and the protection of long-term sustainability of sensitive resources, according to the executive summary in the plan. It includes parts of the other alternatives to balance preservation and recreation.

“The basic goal of developing alternatives was to prepare different combinations of management to address issues and to resolve conflicts among uses,” according to the plan.

The alternative the bureau prefers includes almost 180,000 acres available for off-highway vehicles, Dreyfuss said at a public comment session in April. It’s the second-highest level of recreation area open out of the eight alternatives.

Yoshimura RS-2D and RS-8 Exhausts Available for 2008-2010 Kawasaki Teryx

Chino, Calif. – August 6, 2010 – Yoshimura R&D has now made its RS-2D full system and RS-8 slip-on exhausts available for 2008-2010 Kawasaki Teryx machines. These pipes will take the Teryx to a whole new level of performance, and give you that signature Yoshimura style and sound that you've always wanted.

The RS-2D full system replaces the stock headers and mid-pipes with high flow stainless steel Yoshimura units for more power and durability, and the dual muffler design will give your Teryx a unique sound that you'll love. Each of the RS-2D's dual mufflers include a removable USFS-approved low-volume spark arrested insert to keep you trail-friendly wherever you go, and each kit includes all of the necessary mounting hardware for easy installation.

RS-2D Stainless/Stainless Full System
P/N: 2460500
MSRP: $795.00
Link to RS-2D Product Page

The RS-8 slip on was specifically designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding UTV drivers, and we think you'll agree that it doesn’t disappoint. The RS-8 features stainless steel construction that will stand up to the toughest conditions, and an aluminum-sleeved muffler that will keep your Teryx light while boosting power and torque. Inside the RS-8 you'll find a USFS-approved spark arrested insert that will keep the excess noise to a minimum. As a special finishing touch, the deep-draw polished stainless steel end cap features a laser-etched Yoshimura logo.

RS-8 Stainless/Aluminum Slip-On
P/N: 2460700
MSRP: $395.00
Link to RS-8 Product Page


About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view the wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com