Hi Friends,

I can't go (I wish I could), but was wondering if any of you at all might be able to help out regarding this beautiful area that I had the pleasure of visiting a number of times in the past. The area needs help. It used to be one of my study areas "back in the day". The place is spectacular and biologically diverse and is worth the time.. Contact Terry.

Take Care,

Dennis Pilien

LAPG2006

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Terry Weiner <terryweiner@sbcglobal.net>
To: CNRCC Desert Forum <CONS-CNRCC-DESERT-FORUM@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG>; CNPS-SD List <cnpssd-L@ucsd.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 4:11:09 PM
Subject: [Cnpssd-L] Meetings scheduled for new Algodones/Imperial Sand Dunes Planning Process

Desert Friends,

The BLM El Centro is doing an new EIS for the Algodones/Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Management Plan (RMP). Please circulate this email and try to attend one of these upcoming scoping meetings. Click on any of the underlined links in the notice below for more information and for meeting date and times.

Thanks all.

Terry Weiner

Desert Protective Council

Imperial County Projects and Conservation Coordinator

New Algodones/Imperial Sand Dunes Planning Process

Posted: 16 Apr 2008 02:36 PM CDT

The Algodones Dunes, photo by Andrew Harvey.

The beautiful Algodones Dunes lie on the eastern edge of Imperial Valley . Besides being vast and magnificent, they contain a number of plants and animals that live nowhere else in the world, including the threatened Peirson┬ Milkvetch and the Dunes Scarab Beetle. These creatures are threatened by off-road vehicles. Currently about half of this largest dune system in the southwest is open to off-road vehicle use and half is protected for conservation and for non-motorized recreation. The BLM is currently beginning the public process for revising the current recreation management plan for the Dunes and has scheduled 3 public scoping meetings on April 22nd in San Diego , on April 23rd in Phoenix and April 24th in El Centro .

If you love the desert and want to help protect these magnificent dunes, please attend one of these meetings and tell the BLM that the current situation of half the dunes being open to off-roading and half protected for conservation and other types of recreation is fair and is working. Tell the BLM that you want the Algodones Dunes National Natural Landmark with all of its special creatures to be preserved for future generations.

For more information on the Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan and for details on next week┬ meetings, please visit our Algodones Dunes web page. To find out what these places are like when visited on foot, you can read this narrative of a hike through one of the interim vehicle closures.