Multiple Use at CA’s Imperial Sand Dunes? How Can That Be?
©Bert Gildart: We seldom drive by California’s Imperial Sand Dunes but the other day we had no choice – and were stunned to see that visitation of this beautiful area was confined to off-roaders. Absolutely no other user groups were present. Just off-roaders.
I didn’t understand! I’d always thought BLM lands (Bureau of Land Management) were supposed to be available to all Americans, but the number of off-roaders makes use of this incredible ecosystem by anyone else absolutely impossible.
First there was the noise, loud even from where we watched from a rest stop along Interstate 8 in the southeastern corner of California. Then there was the sight of dozens of vehicles spinning their wheels, sand flying.
Many had American flags hoisted high from the rear of their vehicles, and it seemed they were attempting to convince Interstate drivers that their activities made them the most patriotic of all Americans.
OFF-ROAD USE THREATENS ENDANGERED PLANT
BLM lands are supposed to be accessible for all Americans. What’s more I thought BLM lands at least considered the requirement of other agencies. I learned from the Internet that the activities of off-roaders at the Imperial Sand Dunes have threatened the recovery of an endangered plant species – the Peirson’s milk-vetch.
But even if that were not the case, off-road vehicular use at the Imperial Sand Dunes ruins the natural beauty of these massive dunes and renders them un-useable for hikers, bikers – or any other other outdoor American group who might simply want to sit and soak up the beauty inherent in this unique desert landscape.
But there’s more, and anyone not acquainted with off-road vehicular use might be shocked to find that just a littler further east there is an entire state park devoted to off-road use.
OFF-ROAD USE CREATES CLOUDS OF UNHEALTHY DUST
The park is known as Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, and when the area is in use, off roaders generate so much dust that it can literally choke residents in the nearby settlement of Borrego Springs. It’s been reported that some with allergies are absolutely miserable from the dust, and literally believe they are sick.
Nevertheless, some merchants tolerate the noise and dust because it generates some income, but then they lose business because it drives away others who can’t stand the noise and the dust storms off-roaders create.
Off road vehicular use renders beautiful landscapes like the Imperial Sand Dunes unusable by any other group. The practice kills everything natural and it requires an immense amount of gas to sustain. Dust flares the allergies of some, sometimes making life miserable. Many fly an American flag apparently believing it shrouds them in some kind of a divine majesty.
Guess I need some clarification of policies, but in the meantime, I’m at a loss to understand how this sport improves the life of the average American traveler. And, incidentally, I greatly respect the American flag, but question the implication that flying Old Glory creates an American who is so admirable that he has carte blanche to destroy a unique desert setting.
————————————————————————————————————–
THIS TIME THREE YEARS AGO:
*Anza Borrego’s Endangered Desert Bighorn
————————————————————————————————————–
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
Hiking Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Sometimes the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.
Big Sky Country is beautiful
Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State
Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
What makes Glacier, Glacier?
Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent
Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
