U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

El Centro Field Office

1661 South 4th St

El Centro, CA 92243

May 2003

Imperial Sand Dunes

Recreation Area

Management Plan

(RAMP)
BLM/CA/ES-2003-018 + 1790 - 1600
United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

El Centro Field Office

1661 S. 4th Street

El Centro, CA 92243

www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro

In Reply Refer to: CA-670

May 2003

Dear Reader:

Enclosed for your review is the Proposed Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the 

Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). The proposed RAMP includes amendments to 

the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 1980 California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) 

Plan. Also enclosed is the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the RAMP. 

BLM prepared these documents to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act of 1976, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the Federal 

Endangered Species Act of 1973. 

ISDRA is the most popular off-highway vehicle area in the southwestern United States. It 

encompasses the most intensively visited recreational area in the CDCA and provides a unique, 

world class recreation opportunity. The major focus of the RAMP is to ensure that the world 

class recreational opportunities of ISDRA are continuously available while responding to 

increased need for protection of plant and animal species in the dunes. A key element of the 

RAMP is the establishment of a 33,000-acre Adaptive Management Area (AMA). The AMA is 

proposed as open for recreational day use, including limited numbers of motorized vehicles, 

while providing protection for sensitive plants and animals. 

BLM appreciates your comments and the time and effort you dedicated to improving these 

documents. We believe your efforts have resulted in a stronger and clearer plan. BLM received 

comments on the March 2002 Draft RAMP and Draft EIS from 7,339 individuals, organizations, 

and government entities, including both written and oral comments. The comments were 

consolidated into more than 1,000 statements of concern. A sampling of the statements of 

concern is included in Appendix A of the EIS. After considering the public comments, BLM has 

made a number of changes from the draft RAMP, including adjustments to the visitor supply 

which increased from 55,998 visitors to 80,444 visitors, establishing one long-term and three 

short-term vendor areas within the vendor program, moving the location of ranger station from 

Osborne to Cahuilla, requiring completion of an adaptive management area educational program 

rather than passing a test, and restoring the existing camping opportunities in the one-mile area 

around the ISDRA by removing the Buffer Zone. Although not part of this proposed planning 

decision, BLM is currently developing a business plan regarding ISDRA fees and intends to 

apply a fee to the entire planning area, including the one-mile area around the ISDRA. 

Expansion of the fee area will help ensure that all those who use and recreate within ISDRA will 

be treated equally in regard to paying fees.
The planning process includes an opportunity for administrative review through a plan protest to 

the BLM Director should a previous commenter on the plan believe that the decision has been 

issued in error. Only those persons or organizations that participated in the planning process 

may protest. Protests from parties having no previous involvement will be denied without 

further review. A protesting party may raise only those issues, which were submitted for the 

record during the planning process. New issues raised in the protest period should be directed to 

the El Centro Field Office for consideration in plan implementation, as potential plan 

amendments, or as otherwise appropriate. The period for filing protests begins when the EPA 

publishes in the Federal Register its Notice of Receipt of the FEIS containing the proposed 

recreation management plan. To be considered “timely” the protest must be postmarked no later 

than the last day of the 30-day protest period. Also, although not a requirement, it is 

recommended that the protest be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. E-mail protests

will not be accepted. Faxed protests will be considered as potential valid protests provided (1) 

that the signed faxed letter is received by the Washington Office protest coordinator by the 

closing date of the protest period and (2) that the protesting party also provides the original letter 

by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by the close of the protest period. Please direct 

faxed protests to “BLM Protest Coordinator” at 202-452-5112. Please direct the follow-up letter 

to the appropriate address provided below. Protest must be filed in writing to:

Director (210), Attention: Brenda Williams

P.O. Box 66538

Washington, D.C. 20035

Or by overnight mail to:

Director (210), Attention: Brenda Williams 

1620 L Street, N.W., Suite 1075 

Washington, D.C. 20036. 

In order to be considered complete, the protest must contain, at a minimum, the following 

information:

1. The name, mailing address, telephone number, and interest of the person filing the 

protest.

2. A statement of the issue or issues being protested.

 3. A statement of the part or parts of the plan being protested. To the extent 

possible, this should be done by reference to specific pages, paragraphs, sections, tables, 

maps, etc. included in the proposed RAMP.

4. A copy of all documents addressing the issue or issues which were submitted 

during the planning process or a reference to the date the issue or issues were discussed 

by you for the record.

5. A concise statement explaining why the decision of the BLM California State 

Director is believed to be incorrect. This is a critical part of the protest. Take care to 

document all relevant facts. As much as possible, reference or cite the planning 

documents, environmental analysis documents, available planning records (i.e. meeting 

Blank page back
 Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area 

Management Plan (RAMP)

Prepared by

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

 El Centro Field Office

1661 South 4th Street

El Centro, CA 92243

May 2003
Back of cover page

blank
Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 5

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN ............................................................................................. 6

NEED FOR THE PLAN................................................................................................. 8

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND PLAN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER DOCUMENTS ............ 9

ISDRA OVERVIEW ............................................................................................. 11

CHAPTER II: PLANNING ISSUES, CONCERNS AND OPPORTUNITIES ..... 29

CHAPTER III: ISDRA MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ....................................... 36

MANAGEMENT GOALS ........................................................................................... 41

ISDRA AREA WIDE (AW) EXISTING CONDITION, DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION 

AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS.................................................................................. 55

EXISTING CONDITIONS, DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS, AND MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT AREAS (MAS)...................................................... 67

CHAPTER IV: IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE............................................ 109

 

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1: MONITORING / STUDY PLAN... ...... APPENDIX 1, PAGE 1

APPENDIX 2: AUTHORIZED LAND USES / STATUS.APPENDIX 2, PAGE 1

APPENDIX 3: ACRONOYMS.......... ..................... .APPENDIX 3, PAGE 1

APPENDIX 4: LITERATURE CITED............... ..... .APPENDIX 4, PAGE 1
LIST OF MAPS

Map 1: ISDRA

Map 2: Socioeconomic

Mao 3: Land Ownership

Map 4: Eight Management Areas of the ISDRA and the Planning Area

Map 5: Law Enforcement Tool 1: Potential Alcohol Use Camping Areas

Map 6: Law Enforcement Tool 2: Potential Curfew / Restriction Areas

Map 7: Mammoth Wash Management Area

Map 8: North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Management Area

Map 9: Gecko Management Area

Map 10: Glamis Management Area

Map 11: Adaptive Management Area

Map 12: Ogilby Management Area

Map 13: Dune Buggy Flats Management Area

Map 14: Buttercup Management Area

Map 15: Planning Area Interface of ISDRA, NECO, WECO
1

Executive Summary

The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) is the most popular Off Highway 

Vehicle (OHV) area in the southwest United States. It encompasses the most intensively 

visited recreational area in the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA). It provides 

a unique, world-class recreation opportunity. The primary recreational use is camping 

and the use of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs), principally dune buggies and all terrain 

vehicles. Other uses include photography, hiking, backpacking, nature studies, walking, 

hunting, rock collecting, right of way use for utility lines, canals and roads, filming,

conservation activities and horseback riding. 

To ensure that world class recreational opportunities are continuously available at the 

ISDRA, a recreation mitigation process is defined in the RAMP. This process would 

replace areas that are closed to camping because they are sensitive areas (such as 

microphyl woodland) by developing new camping areas in less sensitive locations such as 

Gecko Road. A ranger station to support increased law enforcement staging and radio 

communications and a day use area would be constructed at the location of the current 

Cahuilla Ranger Station. The communication system will be used in conjunction with an 

existing facility at Osborne Overlook. A Ranger station would also be established in the 

Buttercup Management Area. New phone locations, road grading, dust control, toilet 

facilities, and trash services would be prioritized and scheduled for implementation. A 

campsite reservation system would be established as a pilot project in the Roadrunner 

Camp Ground. The results of the program would be used in developing additional 

reservation systems along Gecko Road. The RAMP would determine visitor supply to 

maintain the integrity of resources and recreation opportunities, through concentration of 

camping areas and distribution of use throughout the visitation season and establishment 

of biological and recreational triggers that activate alternative management actions to 

assist in meeting these goals.

The RAMP would continue to emphasize a co-operative approach to law enforcement. 

Local, State and Federal law enforcement officers, working together, would provide 

increased law enforcement. In addition, several management techniques would be 

implemented to increase law and order. These techniques include establishing two new 

tools. These tools are curfews and restrictions in areas of historic lawlessness and 

limiting alcohol use to established camp areas. Visitor use and incident data are currently 

monitored and will be used to evaluate the specific need for these tools and to develop the 

criteria for their use. These tools would be used as needed, but are not expected to be 

continuously required. Application of current laws, such as speed limits and reckless 

driving, will be used initially to address safety issues. Curfews and restrictions will be 

used as an additional tool when existing laws and actions are not producing a safe 

environment. It is anticipated that these actions would restore a safe family atmosphere 

at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. 

The 2003 RAMP would manage the ISDRA based on 8 individual management areas. 

The 8 individual management units are: 
2

- Mammoth Wash Management Area 

- North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Management Area 

- Gecko Management Area 

- Glamis Management Area 

- Adaptive Management Area 

- Ogilby Management 

- Dune Buggy Flats Management 

- Buttercup Management Area 

Each management area would offer specific recreational opportunities based on the 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classification system. The ROS system 

determines the visitor supply and types of available services based on a desired 

recreational opportunity. Semi-primitive non-motorized opportunities are available in the 

North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Management Area. Rural opportunities are available 

in both the Gecko and Buttercup Management Areas. Roaded natural opportunities are 

available in the Glamis, Ogilby and Dune Buggy Flats Management Areas. Semiprimitive motorized opportunities area available in the Mammoth Wash Management 

Area and the Adaptive Management Area. The recreational opportunity classification for 

each management area would determine the types of recreation, level of development and 

types of services that would be available in that management area. 

One of the major challenges in developing the RAMP is integrating sustainable habitat 

and recreational use for the Adaptive Management Area. A permitting process would be 

established to allow limited OHV recreation in this management area, while conserving 

the habitat and species in the area. An intensive resource and recreation monitoring and 

analysis program would be implemented in conjunction with the permitting process. 

There would be continued adjustments to the allowed level of use for the area based on 

the monitoring and analysis. During the first year of the permitting process, no more than 

525 vehicles would be allowed into the Adaptive Management Area by permit on any 

day. The first year would be designed to obtain information on visitor supply and 

biological needs and future permit numbers would be adjusted accordingly. 

A one-mile perimeter around the active recreation area is a part of the planning area. 

This area is located outside the ISDRA boundary. This area is referred to as the planning 

area. The purpose of this area is to reduce impacts on the property surrounding the 

ISDRA from activities that are directly a result of the ISDRA. Some camping would be 

allowed in this area. Travel on routes that are designated as open or limited is allowed in 

this area. This area is managed by two other BLM plans: the Northeastern Colorado 

Desert (NECO) and the Western Colorado Desert Route of Travel (WECO ROT). These 

plans have designated the routes that may be used in the planning area. Off route travel is 

not allowed. 

The ISDRA will be managed to achieve the following guiding goals:

- Goal 1 - Provide a variety of sustainable OHV and other recreational activities
3

- Goal 2 - Maintain or improve conditions of the special status species and other 

unique natural and cultural resources.

- Goal 3 - Create an environment to promote the health and safety of visitors, 

employees, and nearby residents by working with local, state, and federal 

agencies and interest groups.

Additional goals were established for each management area. Management objectives 

and management actions were defined to support achieving the goals. Please see chapter 

III of the RAMP for more details on these goals, objectives and actions.

The management of the ISDRA would be through a multi-approach method. It would 

increase the effectiveness of law enforcement, provide sustainable recreational 

opportunities, and conserve natural and cultural resources. The RAMP implements the 

preferred alternative in the Environmental Impact Statement.
4

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5

Chapter I

Introduction

This Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) provides direction and guidance to 

manage the land and resources of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). It 

was written after considering the information in the accompanying Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS) and will be considered in writing the Record of Decision. The RAMP 

implements the Preferred Alternative in the EIS. The Record of Decision will explain the 

consideration and rationale used by the State Director in making his decision to select and 

implement the preferred alternative.

The ISDRA, located in eastern Imperial County in Southern California, offers 

outstanding opportunities for OHV recreation within the Bureau of Land Management’s 

(BLM) California Desert Conservation Area. The approximately 159,072-acre ISDRA 

contains the largest mass of sand dunes in California, covering an area more than 40 

miles long and averaging 5 miles in width. Map 1 illustrates the regional location of the 

ISDRA.

The ISDRA is considered a world-class OHV area and it represents one of the most 

popular OHV areas in the western United States. It is a well-known area to local 

residents and the thousands who visit each year from the southwestern United States and 

beyond. The ISDRA is the most heavily and intensively used OHV recreation area in the 

California Desert District with over 1.4 million OHV visitors per year. In addition, the 

ISDRA is recognized for its frequent use as a backdrop for commercials and movies 

because of its unique beauty and landscape. The ISDRA is also recognized for providing 

unique habitat for several endemic and sensitive plant, insect, and animal species and 

habitats.

Currently, as a result of a negotiated settlement agreement between the BLM and a 

coalition of environmental and off-road groups, several areas of the ISDRA are 

temporarily closed in order to protect various species. This RAMP is written using the 

“current condition” as the management of the ISDRA prior to the temporary closure.

The overwhelming popularity and regional importance of the ISDRA to visitors, 

recreational enthusiasts, and others require careful management to protect its recreational, 

natural, and cultural resources. As the designated steward of the ISDRA, the BLM is 

charged with the responsibility to oversee and manage this ecologically complex and 

beautiful public treasure. The RAMP was developed as a tool for long-range planning 

and management oversight of these important resources. The RAMP emphasizes 

recreational use while providing for natural and cultural resource conservation and 

enhancement.
6

The first ISDRA-specific RAMP was developed in 1972. The initial RAMP was revised 

in 1987. The 2003 RAMP will replace the 1987 RAMP. 

As with previous versions, the current RAMP has been developed with the participation 

and assistance of interested members of the public. The BLM will continue to work 

closely with the public to provide quality recreational opportunities, comply with 

regulations, respond to emergencies, resolve conflicts, and protect the resources within 

the ISDRA. 

The 2003 RAMP employs a unique and innovative approach to the management of the 

ISDRA. This RAMP proposes setting up various geographical management areas within 

the ISDRA. Each management area would be managed consistent with the specific goals 

and objectives for that management area. The goals shape the type of recreation and 

conservation opportunities that are available for the management area. Corrective actions 

or management actions are provided for each management area to assist in reaching the 

goals.

Purpose of the Plan

The RAMP guides all resource management activities and establishes management 

actions for the ISDRA. The purpose of the RAMP is to provide a comprehensive and 

detailed management plan designed to provide a variety of sustainable OHV and other 

recreational activities, and to maintain or improve the conditions of the special status 

species and other unique natural and cultural resources while creating an environment to 

promote the health and safety of visitors, employees, and nearby residents.

The RAMP establishes:

· Multiple-use goals and ecosystem management objectives;

· Management actions which fulfill the requirements of the Federal 

Land Policy and Management Act of 1976;

· Management direction and actions applying to future activities in 

specific management areas; and

· Monitoring and evaluation requirements.

This RAMP embodies the provisions of Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the 

implementing regulations, and other guiding documents. It is developed in accordance 

with the CDCA Plan and would amend portions of the CDCA Plan pertaining to 

recreation management in the ISDRA. It revises and replaces the 1987 RAMP.

The purpose of the project is to:
7

- Provide a process to allow the maximum recreational use of the ISDRA while 

maintaining the unique and diverse habitat of the dunes system. This process will 

allow adaptive use of at least one large geographical area with monitoring and 

evaluation of the habitat and the abundance of specific species. The monitoring 

and evaluation data will be used to make adjustments to the recreational use of the 

geographical area.

- Develop a large continuous geographical area for habitat and species 

conservation. This area will include all of the habitat types that are present in the 

dunes system. It is important that this area is continuous and that the habitat is 

not fragmented. Although this geographical area will be available for OHV and 

other recreational uses, the recreational use, habitat condition and species 

abundance will be monitored and the recreational use of the area will be adjusted 

as needed to conserve the habitat and species.

- Utilize sound science when making decisions concerning species conservation 

and multiple use of the ISDRA

- Specify what levels of visitor use can be provided for motorized vehicle use in the 

ISDRA while maintaining the habitat requirements for special status species, 

conserving cultural resources, providing reasonable consideration for other 

important natural resources and promote the health and safety of visitors, nearby 

residents, employees and other service providers in the ISDRA. Institute 

measures to achieve specified visitor use levels. Establish criteria for modifying 

those measures or instituting additional measures if needed in the future based on 

monitoring of visitor use and the conditions and trends of special status species, 

cultural resources and important natural resources.

- Identify the type and level of visitor services, including facilities, needed to 

support desired visitor use. For services to be provided by BLM, the RAMP 

would identify cost for these services. The RAMP could establish a fee system 

such that the appropriate level of visitor services can be provided in an efficient, 

cost-effective manner.

- Guide the ISDRA managers beginning in October 2003. It will normally be 

revised every ten years, but may continue to be used for up to fifteen years. It 

may be amended or revised at any time if the BLM Field Manager determines that 

conditions in the ISDRA have changed beyond those anticipated by this Plan, or if 

monitoring or project-level environmental analysis indicate a need for a change in

management direction. 

- Implement the EIS Preferred Alternative. It is the alternative the State Director

has determined would most benefit the public. Careful consideration was given to 

coordinating and balancing various conflicting resource uses to arrive at a

sustainable mix. 
8

- Establish priorities. Management area allocations, actions, monitoring and 

evaluation requirements constitute a statement of BLM’s intended direction. 

However, projected outputs, services and rates of implementation are contingent 

upon obtaining funding, including user fees, grants, agreements and the annual 

budgeting process.

Need for the Plan

The ISDRA offers outstanding opportunities for OHV and other recreation in the 

California Desert District. In order to fulfill its management obligations under federal 

regulations, the BLM must carefully manage OHV recreation, so that the conditions of 

the special status species, and other unique natural and cultural resources are maintained

or improved. The type and level of OHV recreation also must be carefully managed to

create an environment that promotes the health and safety of visitors, employees, and 

nearby residents. 

Since the previous plan was written in 1987, several of the projects identified have been 

implemented. Of the projects that were not implemented, some are no longer feasible. 

Therefore, it is critical to revisit some of the past decisions and determine whether or not 

new courses should be charted. 

Since the 1987 RAMP, several regulatory changes have taken place that relate to the 

ISDRA. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Peirson’s milk-vetch as a 

Federally threatened plant. The flat-tailed horned lizard had been proposed as Federally 

threatened and then withdrawn by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Public Law 103-

433 designated the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness in 1994. Public Law 103-433 

released Wilderness Study Area 362 from further studies concerning its suitability for 

wilderness designation. Analyzing this new information may lead to different

management decisions in the future. 

The proximity of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area to private land and the 

wilderness area requires that the BLM carefully manage the recreation, natural, and 

cultural resources and corresponding resource values (such as “scenic values”) within the 

planning area to reduce potential impacts to these areas.

Southern California’s and southern Arizona’s continued population growth in the urban 

and non-urban areas and shifting demographic patterns have increased the demand for 

outdoor recreation at the ISDRA and nearby areas. It continues to be a management 

challenge to encourage appropriate recreational use, discourage inappropriate use, while 

respecting the freedom of visitors to enjoy the ISDRA.

In addition to discussing the positive recreational uses of the ISDRA, this plan discusses 

a variety of issues, their proposed solutions and opportunities for creative improvement.
9

Legislative History And Plan Relationship to Other Documents

This section describes the relationship between the RAMP and other plans, policies, and 

programs.

California Desert Conservation Area Plan (1980): The CDCA Plan provides overall 

regional guidance for management of the public lands in CDCA. The CDCA plan 

establishes four multiple-use classes, multiple-use class guidelines, and plan elements for 

specific resources or activities such as motorized-vehicle access, recreation, and 

vegetation. The RAMP would change certain parts of the CDCA Plan. Some of these 

changes include establishing new or modified areas as open, limited, or closed to OHV 

use. Such changes require an amendment to the CDCA Plan in accordance with BLM 

planning regulations, Part 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 1610.3-2.

Imperial Sand Dunes RAMP (1987): The 1987 management plan for the ISDRA is 

outdated and will be fully replaced by the new RAMP. 

Northern And Eastern Colorado Desert Coordinated Management Plan: The Northern and 

Eastern Colorado (NECO) Desert Coordinated Management Plan area is adjacent to the 

ISDRA but does not overlap the ISDRA. It is the management plan for the eastern side 

of the ISDRA planning area. The NECO Plan addresses several issues including: 

(1) recovery of the desert tortoise, (2) conservation of the variety of other species and 

habitats, and (3) public lands access and uses. The NECO Plan provides a wide range of 

actions that relate primarily to land use allocations and on-the-ground actions. The BLM 

will coordinate management decisions so that the management of the ISDRA areas that 

are adjacent to the NECO areas is consistent, whenever practical.

Western Colorado Desert Route of Travel Plan: The Western Colorado Desert Route of 

Travel (WECO ROT) Plan area is adjacent to the ISDRA but does not overlap the 

ISDRA. It is the management plan for the western side of the planning area. The WECO 

ROT Plan addresses several issues including: (1) recovery of the flat-tailed horned lizard, 

(2) conservation of the variety of other species and habitats, and (3) public lands access 

and uses, including providing a vehicular route network for recreation and other uses. 

The WECO ROT Plan designates routes of travel and camping in Imperial County. The 

BLM will coordinate management decisions so that the management of the ISDRA areas 

that are adjacent to the WECO ROT areas is consistent, whenever practical.

California Desert Protection Act (Public Law 103-433): The RAMP is consistent with 

the 1994 California Desert Protection Act (CDPA). 

Prior to passage of the CDPA, BLM studied the North Algodones and South Algodones 

wilderness study portions of the ISDRA for possible wilderness designation under section 

603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. On January 3, 1989 Senator Alan 

Cranston proposed these Wilderness Study Areas, along with 69 other areas of the 

CDCA, to be designated as wilderness in Senate Bill 11 (S- 11). The bill did not pass and 

was reintroduced by Senator Feinstein in 1993 as Senate Bill 21. Senator Feinstein, in a 
10

February 23, 1994 correspondence to her Senate colleagues asking for their support of the 

Bill, stated that she wanted to "... drop the entire 61,630 acre South Algodones Dunes 

from the bill to allow vehicle use." On October 31, 1994, the CDPA was signed into law. 

The Act designated as wilderness the 32,240 acre North Algodones Dunes to be managed 

by BLM as a part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. No wilderness was 

designated for the South Algodones in the Act. Congress also indicated in the CDPA that 

the South Algodones Dunes Wilderness Study Area had been adequately studied for 

wilderness designation pursuant to Section 603 of Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act, and would be released from Wilderness Study Area status. Since conditions relating 

to the wilderness values of the South Algodones Dunes have not changed since the 1994 

Act, BLM will not review the area under Section 201 or 202 of Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act.

Federal Land Policy Management Act: The RAMP is consistent with this Act.

The Federal Land Policy Management Act (P.L. 94-579, 90 Stat. 2743, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et 

seq.) provides the BLM with an operating mandate to emphasize the concepts of multiple 

use and sustained yield. Section 202(c) of FLPMA requires the BLM to “use and 

observe the principles of multiple use and sustained yield” in developing land use plans 

for public lands. Multiple use is a concept that directs public lands and their resource 

values be managed in a way that best meets the present and future needs of the people of 

the county. Multiple use involves “a combination of balanced and diverse resource uses 

that takes into account the long-term needs of future generations for renewable and 

nonrenewable resources... ” (FLPMA, Section 103). Sustained yield is “the achievement 

and maintenance in perpetuity of a high-level annual or regular periodic output of the 

various renewable resources of the public lands consistent with multiple use” (FLPMA, 

Section 103). The BLM is directed by FLPMA to manage sustained yield consistently 

with multiple use. 

Wilderness Implementation Strategy: This August 31, 1999, strategy will continue to be 

used with the RAMP to manage the North Algodones Wilderness in the ISDRA. 

Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service: The ISDRA is within 

the range of the desert tortoise but is not within critical habitat or any existing or 

proposed reserve area.

National Management Strategy for Motorized Off-Highway Vehicle Use on Public Lands 

(January 2001): The RAMP is consistent with this document and incorporates numerous 

goals and strategies identified in this plan.

State Implementation Plan For PM –10 in the Imperial Valley, Executive Summary, Final 

(1993): The RAMP is consistent with the State of California Air Quality Implementation 

Plan.

County of Imperial General Plan (1996): This plan seeks to direct growth, particularly 

urban development, to suitable areas in Imperial County. The RAMP is consistent with 
11

this Plan.

California Desert District Business Plan Recreation Fee Demonstration Project: The 

RAMP is consistent with this plan. This plan will be utilized in the development of fees. 

Algodones Dunes Habitat Management Plan (1987): The RAMP would amend this 

document and take precedence in management decisions.

Wildlife Habitat Protection Program: The monitoring program in the RAMP would 

supplement this program.

Imperial County Emergency Medical Services ALS/BLS Treatment Protocols, as 

Amended: The BLM provides basic life support in the ISDRA following this plan. The 

RAMP is consistent with this plan.

Interpretive Plan for the El Centro Resource Area (1991): This document provides a 

framework for interpretative services and development on public lands in the El Centro 

Resource Area. The ISDRA interpretative services would be developed in accordance 

with this plan.

Law Enforcement Special Evaluation: Law Enforcement in the California Desert (2000): 

The RAMP is consistent with this document.

El Centro Law Enforcement Plan: This plan establishes general guidelines for law 

enforcement for the El Centro Field Office. The RAMP is consistent with this Plan.

Mineral Resources of the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Study Area (1984): The 

RAMP is consistent with this publication. 

Plank Road Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Management Plan (1985): The 

RAMP is consistent with this publication.

Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Range-wide Management Strategy (1997): Appropriate 

strategies from this publication have been incorporated into the RAMP.

Volunteer Opportunities with the Bureau of Land Management in the El Centro Resource 

Area: The RAMP is consistent with and incorporates information provided by this 

publication.

ISDRA OVERVIEW

LOCATION AND SIZE

The Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in California. They are 

located on the eastern edge of Imperial County. The dunes are more than 40 miles long 

and have an average width of five miles. The new Coachella Canal is located near the 
12

western boundary of the dunes. The new Coachella Canal delivers Colorado River water 

to the fertile agricultural valley to the north. A major east-west route of the Union Pacific 

railroad skirts the eastern edge of the ISDRA.

Generally, the west boundary of the ISDRA follows the abandoned Old Coachella Canal, 

while the east boundary follows the Union Pacific Railroad. Exceptions to these 

boundaries include small areas of adjacent lands. These lands were included in the 

ISDRA boundary since this property already incurred heavy recreational use from 

ISDRA enthusiasts.

The dune system is currently divided into 3 areas. The northern most area is known as 

Mammoth Wash. South of Mammoth Wash is the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness 

established by the 1994 CDPA. This area is closed to mechanized use and access is by 

hiking and horseback. The largest and most heavily used area begins at Highway 78 and 

continues south just past Interstate 8 to the Mexican Border. (Map 1.) 

ACCESS

Two major east-west highways traverse the dune system. The areas near the highways 

are the locations where most of the concentrated use has traditionally occurred. To the 

north, State Highway 78 crosses at the small settlement of Glamis. Highway 78 connects 

Brawley (approximately 29 miles west of Glamis) with Blythe (approximately 60 miles 

northeast of Glamis). At the southern end of the ISDRA, Interstate 8 crosses the dunes at 

Buttercup Valley. Interstate 8 provides access from El Centro, California (approximately 

40 miles west of Buttercup) and Yuma, Arizona (approximately 20 miles east). 

These highways also provide access from the major urban centers of Los Angeles, San 

Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson. All are within a few hours drive of the ISDRA.

CLIMATE

The ISDRA is located in a desert region of long, hot summers, mild winters, low rainfall, 

low relative humidity, and a high percentage of sunny days. Summer daytime 

temperatures routinely exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation fluctuates 

widely but averages just over two inches. Winter daytime highs are in the 60-70 degree 

Fahrenheit range from December through March. Winter winds approach from the 

northwest. Summer winds are variable, but often blow from the southeast. 

SOCIOECONOMICS

The ISDRA economic study area includes six counties in southern California (Imperial, 

Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego) and three counties in 

Arizona (Yuma, Pima, Maricopa). The ISDRA draws recreation visitors from major 

population centers including San Diego and Los Angeles in California, and Phoenix and 

Tucson in Arizona. The socioeconomic discussion includes population data from the nine 

counties from which the ISDRA draws most of its visitors. (See Map 2.)
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View Map 1

Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area General Location – 87Kb
14

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15

View Map 2

Socio-Economics Area – 91Kb
16

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17

Since the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area is a destination area for recreational 

activities, especially OHV enthusiasts, including the nine counties within several hours 

driving time to the ISDRA is appropriate for the social economic analysis. Although the 

market is geographically extensive, the majority of the socioeconomic impacts associated 

with trips to the ISDRA stay within Imperial County where the dunes are located. 

Additional employment and expenditures affects Yuma County, Arizona. Expenditures 

from out of town visitors represent injections of new dollars into the local economy. 

Examples of expenditures in these two counties relate to the purchase of supplies such as 

fuel, arts, food, camping supplies, and medication. Most recreational enthusiasts coming 

to the dunes purchase more expensive items such as recreational vehicles and OHVs, 

beyond Imperial and Yuma counties. In addition to the benefits of employment and 

income opportunities, residents of Imperial and Yuma counties also benefit personally 

from the proximity to recreation opportunities at ISDRA.

In 2000, the nine counties had an estimated population of 22.6 million, up from 

19.3 million in 1990. This represents an increase of over 3.2 million people (17 percent) 

in a decade. Table 1 provides a snapshot of the current population in the nine counties as 

well as 20-year projections for each county. All counties except Los Angeles showed 

double-digit increases in population between 1990 and 2000. Imperial County’s 

30.2 percent increase was second only to Riverside County’s 32.0 percent increase 

among the six California counties. Two of the Arizona counties, Maricopa and Yuma, 

experienced growth rates of 44.8% and 49.7%, respectively.

The 20-year projections suggest continued growth for the nine counties. Triple digit 

growth is projected for Riverside, Maricopa and Imperial counties. In addition to the 

projected growth within Imperial County, increased population in the other counties of 

the study area will move population centers closer to Imperial County.
18

Table 1: Population Estimates for the Nine Counties in the Affected Environment, 1990 –

2020.

1990 2000 2010 2020

% Increase 

1990-2000

% Increase 

2000 -2020

 California

 Imperial 109,303 142,361 217,500 294,200 30% 169%

 Los 

 Angeles 8,863,164 9,519,338 10,605,200 11,584,800 7.4% 31%

 Orange 2,410,556 2,846,289 3,266,700 3,541,700 18% 47%

 Riverside 1,170,413 1,545,387 2,159,700 2,817,600 32% 141%

 San 

 Bernardino 1,418,380 1,709,434 2,231,600 2,800,900 20% 97%

 San 

 Diego 2,498,016 2,813,833 3,288,400 3,863,500 13% 55%

Arizona

 Maricopa 2,122,101 3,072,149 3,709,566 4,516,090 45% 113%

 Pima 666,880 843,746 1,031,623 1,206,244 26% 81%

 Yuma 106,895 160,026 171,689 209,861 50% 80%

Study Area 

Total 19,365,708 22,652,563 26,781,978 34,834,895 17% 80%

TOPOGRAPHY

The dune system is situated on a relatively flat plain. The plain has an elevation of 

approximately 50 feet above sea level. On the west, the plain is called East Mesa 

(because it is east of Imperial Valley). On the east, the plain is called Pilot Knob Mesa.

The dunes reach heights of 300 feet above the plain, and include classic examples of 

several different types of dune morphology. The sand dunes are thought to have 

originated from the beach sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, a water body created by 

episodic diversions of the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley instead of the Gulf of 

California. The Imperial Dunes have formed primarily as a result of opposing seasonal 

winds. Winter winds come from the northwest, but often reverse to the southeast in 

summer. The stronger winter winds are slowly pushing the dune system southeastward.

The east and west sides of the dunes system differ substantially in character. West side 

sands are composed of material that is generally heavier and coarser than the lighter, finer 

sands carried further east in the prevailing winds. The coarse sands form the largest, 

tallest dunes, which are located in the western two-thirds of the dune system. These 

constitute the “primary dunes.” East of the primary dunes are the “secondary dunes”. 

These dunes are smaller dunes composed of finer sands and having more vegetation 

cover.
19

SOILS

The Imperial Sand Dunes are comprised of a variety of dune types (e.g. draas, linear, 

parabolic, barchan, zibars). These dunes are separated occasionally by inter-dune areas, 

where relatively little sand accumulates into dune formations. The dune system lies on 

alluvial fan material emanating from the Cargo Muchacho and Chocolate Mountains. 

Some dunes reach 300 feet in height.

Dune System

The dunes are composed of sand that is 60-70% quartz, 30-40% feldspar with very minor 

amounts of biotite, magnetite, garnet and epidote. A large percentage of the grains are 

coated with ferric oxide, resulting in a pale orange cast to the sand. Approximately 60 

percent of the grains are sub-rounded to sub-angular. The remainder of the grains is 

either rounded or angular. Grain size decreases from west to east across the dunes (while 

sorting increases), indicating the source is from the west (i.e., a decrease in size, and 

increase in sorting, occurs as sand moves away from the source). The source of the sand 

is thought to be ancient Lake Cahuilla shoreline deposits. Much of this sand was 

deposited by the Colorado River, and reworked by the ancient lake.

The potential for wind erosion is low in dune deposits, except during high wind events 

(winds that are strong enough to entrain sand size particles). Most sand movement 

occurs during high winds, which usually are not long lasting events. Research (Kocurek 

and Havholm, 1991) shows that the large dunes (draas) migrate to the southeast at a net 

rate of 6 to 25 cm/yr; while, superimposed dune structures migrate northeast at a net rate 

of 10 to 50 cm/yr. However, the resultant transport direction is to the southeast (this is 

the effective transport direction of sand, given prevailing wind direction during various 

seasons). So, while there are components of sand movement in various directions during 

seasonal prevailing winds, the overall transport direction is to the southeast. While dune 

deposits are constantly reshaped during wind, sand particles only move a short distance 

(with the exception of during strong wind events). 

The potential for water erosion is slight. Because compaction of sand grains is low, voids 

occur between grains. These voids allow the water to percolate through the soil. This 

type of soil has a high permeability. Surface runoff is slow. Precipitation mostly moves 

down through the grains, not laterally. Available water capacity is low. Only during rare 

flood events and creation of turbulent waters, would significant water erosion occur. The 

average annual rainfall for the area is approximately two inches, while evaporation 

exceeds 106 inches annually (Mesquite Mine Closure and Reclamation, 2001, pg. B-12).

The United States Department of Agriculture soil survey for Imperial County (1981) 

classifies dune sand as “Rositas fine sand”. Typically this Rositas soil is reddish-yellow 

fine sand to a depth of 60 inches. In some areas, the soil is loamy fine sand, or the soil 

colors are less bright. This soil is somewhat excessively drained. The effective rooting 

depth is 60 inches or more. This survey states the soil is used for desert recreation, with 

little potential for farming, home sites and urban areas. 
20

Inter-dune Areas 

The inter-dune areas are deflated to the alluvial surface, with occasional small-scale sand 

dune features (e.g., barchan dunes, linear dunes, sand ripples). According to the USDA 

report (1981; mentioned above), the soil type varies from reddish-yellow fine sand (i.e., 

“Rositas” fine sand) to brownish-loamy fine sand (i.e., “Rositas” loamy fine sand). The 

Rositas fine sand extends to a depth of approximately 60 inches, and is somewhat 

excessively drained. Permeability is rapid, and available water capacity is low. Surface 

runoff is slow, and the hazard of erosion is slight. The hazard of soil blowing is high. 

The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. This soil is used for desert recreation 

and wildlife habitat. This soil has a potential for farming, and is well suited to home-sites 

and urban areas.

The Rositas loamy fine sand extends to a depth of typically 4 inches, and is somewhat 

excessively drained. A pink to pale brown fine sand to a depth of 60 inches underlies the 

Rositas loamy fine sand. Up to 2 percent of this sand is soft masses and lime concretions. 

Permeability is rapid, and available water capacity is low. Surface runoff is slow, and the 

hazard of erosion is slight. There is a high hazard of soil blowing. The effective rooting 

depth is 60 inches or more. The soil is used for desert recreation, with a potential for 

farming, and is well suited for home-sites and urban areas. 

Local compaction can be high due to OHV use. BLM field observations have found, 

local areas of the inter-dune system are less permeable due to more clay content. 

Standing water and mud cracks were observed. 

AIR QUALITY

The ISDRA has intermittently poor air quality. This has resulted in the area being 

classified as being in non-attainment for ozone and PM10 under both federal and state 

rules. The primary sources of the ozone and PM10 pollution is drift from the Mexicali 

Valley and agricultural activities including burning, tilling, harvesting, chemical use, and 

vehicle and maintenance activities along the canals. The extent to which ISDRA adds to 

this pollution on major holiday weekends in the fall and winter has not been determined. 

During these times, OHV and camping activities add an unknown quantity of airborne 

dust particles and hydrocarbon emissions. 

LAND OWNERSHIP

A mixed ownership pattern of private, state, county, military and public land exists in the 

planning area. (See Map 3.) Within the ISDRA Planning area, approximately 207,384 

acres are managed by BLM; 16, 085 acres are privately owned; 1,758 acres are owned by 

the United States military; and 906 acres are owned by the State of California. Land uses 

vary widely and include private residential, private commercial, military training, 

management of sensitive natural resources, law enforcement facilities, educational 

centers, wilderness, OHV recreation, other recreation, commercial vendors and
21

View Map 3

Land Ownership – 67Kb
22

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23

commercial filming. The RAMP would provide management direction only for the BLM 

managed land, although consideration would be given to management options that may 

reduce negative impacts from the ISDRA on land owned by other entities.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

The biological resources in the Planning Area include dune habitats that support a variety 

of desert plants, reptile and insect communities, including special-status and endemic 

species found only in the Algodones Dunes. The primary habitat types associated with 

the dune system are: creosote bush scrub, psammophytic scrub, active dune, microphyll 

woodland, Sonoran desert scrub, and canal-influenced vegetation.

Creosote bush scrub generally occurs on the edges of the dune system and occasionally in 

the central portion. Creosote bush scrub is the most common vegetation community in the 

Colorado Desert and typically occurs in well-drained secondary soils of slopes, fans, and 

valleys. Characteristic species for this community include creosote bush, brittlebush, and 

burrobush. The creosote bush habitat in the ISDRA generally consists of widely spaced 

shrubs, usually interspersed with bare ground. The western flank consists of almost pure 

stands of creosote bush.

Psammophytic ("sand loving") scrub occurs in the interior portion of the sand dune 

system, both in the active sand dunes and partially stabilized areas. This type of 

vegetation occurs most frequently between active dunes in areas that form depressions. 

As the dunes shift from year to year, the depressions generally shift as well. The

vegetation in this area is adapted to relatively high sand mobility, deep water percolation 

and is capable of rapid growth. The ISDRA contains six special-status plants of this type, 

including the Peirson’s milk-vetch.

The area on the eastern side of the dune system is a large alluvial fan draining the 

Chocolate and Cargo Muchacho Mountains. The alluvial fan is dissected into numerous 

washes and plains. The microphyll woodland habitat is found along these dry-wash 

channels and around the cul-de-sac sinks at the end of the washes. Trees associated with 

this habitat are palo verde, ironwood, smoke tree, and, to a lesser degree, honey mesquite 

and desert willow. Microphyll woodland habitat supports the highest diversity of wildlife 

in the ISDRA.

 

Sonoran Desert Scrub occurs on the extreme eastern edge in the planning area as a 

transition zone between creosote bush scrub and microphyll woodland. This habitat 

includes desert dry wash woodland, as well as alluvial fans that support ocotillo, 

brittlebush, and cacti.

The Coachella Canal and the All-American Canal support some non-native,

water-dependent vegetation, which is periodically eradicated.
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25

MANAGEMENT

Management of the ISDRA currently is guided by the specific management actions 

outlined in the 1987 RAMP and in the CDCA Plan of 1980, as amended. These actions 

provide resource management direction for the ISDRA through land classification and 

OHV-use classifications. This RAMP will amend the 1980 CDCA Plan and will provide 

direction for future management of the ISDRA. Following is a summary of the 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum, Vehicle Use, and Multiple Use Classifications for the 

ISDRA:

ROS Vehicle Use Class Multiple Use Class

Mammoth Wash Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Open Limited

North Algodones 

Dunes Wilderness

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized

Closed Controlled

Gecko Rural Open Intensive

Glamis Roaded Natural Open Moderate

Adaptive Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

Limited, except for 

areas used for 

controls in the 

monitoring program, 

which are Closed. 

Please see the 

Monitoring Plan for 

more information.

Limited

Ogilby Roaded Natural Open Moderate

Dune Buggy Flats Roaded Natural Open Moderate

Buttercup Rural Open Intensive

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Presently throughout the season (October through May), the ISDRA is faced with 

numerous law enforcement issues such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, 

assaults on the public and employees, under-age alcohol use, drug use, traffic violations 

such as speeding and double riding, fee compliance violations, and resource violations 

(littering, natural feature destruction, dumping of hazardous materials, dumping of waste, 

etc.). There are six major weekends that attract extremely large crowds at the ISDRA. 

These weekends are Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's, Martin Luther King Day, 

President's day and Easter. Law enforcement issues increase during the holiday 

weekends. The types of behaviors exhibited are more violent than on routine weekends.

Large quantities of alcohol are consumed throughout the ISDRA but certain areas seem 

to have a greater amount of alcohol consumption. These areas are Competition Hills in 

both the north and south dunes, the "drags" in both the north and south dunes and Test 
26

Hill in the south dunes. Numerous people, mostly young adults and teenagers visit these 

areas at night when the "parties" are occurring simply to drink and participate in what is 

commonly referred to as a large drunken party. It is not uncommon to have beer bottles 

or cans thrown at the law enforcement officers who are working in the area from 

individuals in the crowd. Other individuals have been known to encourage this 

outrageous behavior in order to film the event or simply to watch the unacceptable 

behavior. 

Until recently law enforcement in the ISDRA was provided primarily by the BLM. The 

El Centro office has authorization to employ 9 patrol rangers, 2 supervisory rangers, and 

1 chief ranger. The rangers regularly patrol the lands managed by BLM that are both 

inside and outside the dunes. However, the level of law enforcement is insufficient to 

ensure a safe and secure environment on holiday weekends without additional law 

enforcement support. 

The BLM ranger’s primary responsibility is to protect federal land resources. However, 

several years ago when the ISDRA began experiencing an increased number of 

individuals who visit the sand dunes in order to enjoy the "party" atmosphere that had 

developed, the law enforcement officer’s role changed. Due to this new clientele, the 

ranger’s focus changed from OHV related safety incidents and resource violations to 

more serious crimes. 

Due to the ISDRA’s location near the U.S. Mexican border, law enforcement activities 

are conducted by a number of agencies at the federal, state, county and local levels. 

Although each agency has specific missions and authorities, an overlap of jurisdictions 

and responsibilities is common. Three separate United States Border Patrol offices patrol 

the ISDRA. The Yuma Sector of the Border patrol covers the southeast portion of the 

Dunes. The El Centro and Calexico sectors patrol the remaining sections.

Growing problems surrounding some of the ISDRA’s clientele have demonstrated the 

need to establish better partnerships with state and local agencies. In an effort to improve 

law enforcement at the dunes, a Memorandum of Understanding was established with the 

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO). This Memorandum of Understanding formed a 

coalition of local law enforcement agencies to help provide law enforcement as the 

dunes. In addition, innovative approaches to law enforcement are being implemented. 

For example, an incident command system has been established to better coordinate the 

operations involving multiple agencies. It is necessary to increase the number of law 

enforcement officers in the ISDRA, on an interim basis, during the holiday weekends and 

non-holiday weekends to reduce the level of unacceptable behaviors. 

On the holiday weekends, additional law enforcement resources from other federal, state 

and local government agencies are utilized. Approximately 15-30 additional federal law 

enforcement rangers and agents are detailed to the ISDRA on these major weekends. In 

addition, up to 35 local law enforcement officers are available on holiday weekends. The 

actual number of law enforcement officers varies from holiday to holiday with changing 

participants. On some holiday weekends, up to 150 law enforcement officers are 
27

available. In addition, a volunteer dunes patrol contributes to the efforts of law 

enforcement activities.

It is anticipated that the use of additional, non-BLM, law enforcement officers for 

behavior modification would allow BLM law enforcement officers to focus on their 

primary mission of safety, resource and land protection. Resource protection has become 

a greater priority at the ISDRA. Increased law enforcement presence is necessary on a 

regular basis in order to perform normal patrols concentrating on littering, dumping and 

vegetation destruction. Management of the wilderness area and conservation of several 

plants, animals, and insects is becoming more of a priority. The acquisition of additional 

vehicles has greatly improved BLM’s ability to promote a safer environment and to 

protect natural resources.

CULTURAL HISTORY

The Imperial Sand Dunes have played a significant role in shaping the human history of 

the Imperial Valley. Located west of the Lower Colorado River, the ISDRA is a unique 

landscape in Southern California and northeast Baja California. The ISDRA is within or 

near the traditional lands of the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Cocopah, Kamia, Kumeyaay, 

Mohave and Quechan. The sand dunes are a part of the sacred world for these 

contemporary tribes. The dunes are a part of their religious and secular history. They 

contain burial and cremation areas and trail crossings. They offer a variety of resources, 

such as plants for foods and medicine, and animals for hunting. These tribes advocate 

protective management of the natural and cultural environment of the dunes.

In early historic times, the dunes would become thought of, not as a resource, but as a 

barrier to be avoided by the Spanish explorers, like De Anza and Garces, and the 

American pioneers moving west along the southern emigrant trail. Thus the trail dropped 

south of the Mexican border to avoid the dunes. It was also a barrier to the expanding 

railroad network, which diverted the 1877 line north through Mammoth Wash to reach 

the west coast. 

In the twentieth century the Imperial Sand Dunes continued to be a barrier to be 

conquered. The dunes figured prominently as part of the heroic struggle to tame the 

Colorado River. An eminent auto enthusiast, named Colonel Ed Fletcher, built a plank 

road just to demonstrate that the dunes could be traversed by automobile. (The Plank 

Road has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The Plank Road 

was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and 

nominated for inclusion in 2001.) This travel route would later be paved and used by 

families of migrant workers escaping the dust storms of Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

These same workers also helped to excavate a large channel known as the All American 

Canal, which was cut through the dunes to convey water from the Colorado River to the

agricultural fields of the Imperial Valley. (The All-American Canal has been determined 

to be eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places.)
28

Soon the entertainment industry discovered the unique scenery of the dunes and they 

became the backdrop for major Hollywood movies, like Beau Gueste and a Bob Hope 

and Bing Crosby classic movie called the Road to Zanzibar. The dunes have also been 

used for television commercials, and both commercial and artistic photography. 

During World War II, Generals George S. Patton Jr. and Walton Walker were 

instrumental in developing a facility to train U. S. troops for the North African Theater. 

The Desert Training Center/California-Arizona Maneuver Area (1942-1944) spanned 

from Searchlight, Nevada south through eastern California and western Arizona to the 

United States/Mexico International Border. The Imperial Sand Dunes offered a unique 

training environment for combat maneuvers.

Finally, the recreational use of the dunes also has historical roots beginning with local 

families who would travel to the dunes to drive the plank road and have a Sunday picnic. 

The dunes also became a place for families to camp and try out, or develop, new 

machines for driving in the sand. A milestone in the evolution of OHV use came after 

World War II when surplus Jeeps were available for purchase by the private sector. The 

Imperial Sand Dunes is also believed to be the birthing place for the early dune buggies. 

Model A cars with their bodies removed were some of the first buggies attempting the 

challenges of the sand dunes. Multiple generations of families have loyally followed this 

tradition, flocking to the dunes to recreate and socialize several times a year. Thus a 

social culture, unique to the dunes, has developed and will evolve as new generations of 

families continue to observe their family traditions. 
29

Chapter II

Planning Issues, Concerns And Opportunities

A preliminary step in developing the management program for the current RAMP 

involved identifying relevant issues, concerns, and opportunities. These issues, concerns, 

and opportunities were identified with assistance from the public. The public helped to 

identify what long-term levels of recreational use, services, goods, and environmental 

conditions are expected from the ISDRA. The issues, concerns, and opportunities help to 

determine the extent that the 1987 RAMP would need to be revised. The issues, 

concerns, and opportunities provide information to be considered in developing 

alternatives for future management of the area.

The 1987 RAMP was used as a reference point to begin identifying issues, concerns, and 

opportunities. Many of the issues identified during the 1987 planning process remain 

relevant. Additional issues, concerns, and opportunities were identified through a series 

of seven public meetings conducted during 2000 and a project comment site on the 

BLM’s INTERNET website. Public participation was encouraged through news releases,

a publication in the Federal Register, and a mailing of approximately 2,000 newsletters 

to individuals, groups, and organizations. To further this process, an interdisciplinary 

working group also was developed from several interested public organizations. The 

working group consisted of four members representing the following: OHV/Dune 

Groups, Environmental Groups, Imperial County, BLM.

Using written and verbal comments, the working group identified a series of public 

issues, management concerns, and resource opportunities. Issues, concerns, and 

opportunities dealing specifically with the ISDRA that had been identified at previous 

public meetings, but had been deferred, also were included for consideration. The BLM 

Field Manager reviewed all issues, concerns, and opportunities. The issues, concerns, 

and opportunities were also validated through an “Issues Newsletter” mailed to 

approximately 600 interested individuals and organizations on the BLM’s mailing list. 

The newsletter included a response form to add or further refine issues.

This effort was supplemented in August and September 2001 by another newsletter 

mailing to approximately 2,000 interested individuals and organizations seeking public 

input, and through three additional public meetings held in El Centro and San Diego, 

California, and Phoenix, Arizona. 

Only issues, concerns, and opportunities meeting certain criteria were included in the 

planning process. To be included, an issue, concern, and opportunity had to be:

- Consistent with federal statute and within the jurisdiction of the BLM

- A land management or administrative concern

- Able to be resolved during the planning process
30

- Producing of a significant long-term effect through its resolution

- Related to the ISDRA

Issues, Concerns And Opportunities

The following issues, concerns, and opportunities captured as a series of questions, were

carried forward in the present RAMP management process:

1. What level or levels of recreation setting will be provided at the ISDRA?

The ISDRA can provide a wide variety of outdoor settings. Currently the majority of the 

area is an undeveloped setting where recreational enthusiasts can engage in activities that 

are not dependent on facilities and experience a moderate level of self-reliance and risk. 

Natural resources in these areas have not been modified to accommodate human use. 

About 25% of the ISDRA is in a more developed setting where many of the activities are 

based at or near facilities. Natural resources in these areas have been significantly 

modified to accommodate human use. There are currently no guidelines to direct the 

development, or lack of development, of any of the areas associated with the ISDRA. 

Public opinion varies as to what range of settings should be accommodated at the 

ISDRA.

2. How will OHV recreation be managed in relation to resources and other 

recreational activities, including safety?

Federal regulations at Title 43 CFR Part 8340.0-2 requires BLM to protect the resources 

of the public lands, promote the safety of all users of those lands, and minimize conflicts 

among the various users of those lands. Both advocates and opponents of OHV use are 

concerned about how to manage this activity to minimize impacts on other resources and 

to be compatible with other recreational activities. The concern focuses around the issues 

of public health and safety resulting from crowding in some OHV areas, saving camp 

spots, dumping of gray water and litter. There are also concerns with quiet times, camp 

area speed limits and the general unruliness of some visitors. Finally, there is a more

general concern about the potential adverse affects of OHVs on plants, wildlife, geologic 

resources and other elements of the ISDRA environment. 

3. How much facility development and access is appropriate for the ISDRA?

This issue addresses the suitability of the area to accommodate additional camp pads, 

contact stations, roads, etc. Chapters III and IV provide a complete description of the 

facility development anticipated in the next ten years.

4. How often, where and what should vendors/concessionaires be allowed to operate 

on public land in the ISDRA to best serve the needs of the public?

This issue addresses the vendor program in the ISDRA. A revised RAMP could 

determine what food, goods, or services should be provided by vendors in order to 
31

enhance OHV use and camping in ISDRA. A permitting program could provide 

structure, including time limitations for the vending program. The RAMP could 

designate geographical areas where vending could be permitted. 

5. How much impact are the tour buses having on the facilities at the ISDRA and 

should there be compensation for that use?

There has been a notable increase in visitation to ISDRA by commercial tour buses since 

the 1987 RAMP was completed. Since the reconstruction of the Osborne Overlook 

access road and the installation of the pit toilets at the Buttercup Campground, several 

commercial tour bus companies regularly stop and utilize the facilities. Identification of 

these companies is difficult due to staffing levels and uncontrolled access to the 

recreation area. Both areas are BLM managed and maintained roads with commercial 

vehicle weight limits. It is undetermined if the tour bus traffic significantly increases the 

level of maintenance and repairs required for the roads and restrooms. It is also 

undetermined if there are any recreational or resource conflicts.

Federal regulations, Title 43 CFR Parts 2930 and 8370, address issuance of permits for 

recreation on public lands. These regulations allow the BLM to issue permits in order to 

manage recreational use, reduce recreational and resource conflicts, and to receive a 

return for commercial uses of public lands.

6. How will the BLM conserve the unique natural resources of the ISDRA in an area 

managed for OHV use? 

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the environmental polices of the BLM provide 

for protection of federal or state listed species on public lands in California. BLM 

consults with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and discussed concerns with the 

California Department of Fish and Game on actions that may affect listed species, such as 

this management plan. The listed and sensitive species identified in the area are 

described below.

The Algodones Dunes are home to five special status plant species: the Peirson’s milkvetch, which is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and endangered 

under California Endangered Species Act, the Algodones Dunes sunflower which is listed 

as endangered under California Endangered Species Act, Wiggins croton which is listed 

as rare by the State of California, and sandfood and giant Spanish needle which are 

considered rare and endangered, respectively, by the California Native Plant Society. 

One former federal candidate species and BLM sensitive lizard species, the flat-tailed 

horned lizard, occurs in relatively low densities at the ISDRA. The Colorado Desert 

fringe-toed lizard, a former federal candidate species and BLM sensitive species, is 

abundant at the ISDRA, especially in active dunes and psammophytic scrub. 

Additionally, the federally and state listed threatened desert tortoise probably occurs in 

the microphyll woodlands on the east side of the ISDRA, as does the Gila woodpecker, a 

state listed endangered species. Additionally, the BLM sensitive Couch’s spadefoot toad
32

probably occurs in the microphyll woodlands on the east side of the ISDRA. The toad is 

also a state species of concern.

The creosote bush scrub and microphyll woodland habitats adjacent to the ISDRA 

probably contain the BLM sensitive species, the burrowing owl, which is also a state 

species of concern. The loggerhead shrike, leConte’s thrasher and Yuma mountain lion, 

all species of concern, also occur at the ISDRA. Additionally, three poorly known beetle 

species, all BLM sensitive species, occur at the ISDRA: Andrew’s dune scarab beetle, 

Hardy’s dune beetle and Carlson’s dune beetle.

A revised RAMP will address conservation of these species while maintaining 

recreational use of the ISDRA.

7. What level of education and resource interpretation should be provided at the 

ISDRA?

This issue addresses the type of interpretive materials (signs, brochures, etc) that should 

be available to the public to better educate and communicate to them on the critical 

resources and regulations of the ISDRA.

8. How will education, law enforcement, and other techniques be used to ensure 

compliance with laws and regulations at the ISDRA?

Federal regulations, Title 43 CFR Part 8340.0-2, directs BLM to protect the resources of 

the public lands, to promote the safety of all users of those lands, and to minimize 

conflicts among the various users of those lands.

An ever-increasing visitor population during the high use season has created larger 

crowds in the camping and riding areas. Along with this there seems to be an increase in 

irresponsible visitors who act without regard to the consequences to themselves or others. 

The need to develop an educational program to raise the level of awareness of the rules, 

regulations, and safety concerns was identified by the public. The need to develop better 

ways of disseminating information to visitors through the use of the INTERNET and 

partnerships with the various user groups and businesses that focus on the ISDRA was 

also identified. 

This issue addresses the identification of options available to aid in increasing lawful 

behavior. 

9. What is considered to be the Visitor Supply at the ISDRA? Is it being exceeded 

and if so, what actions should be taken?

This issue addresses the number of visitors that are coming to the ISDRA. The visitor 

supply could be determined by use of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum. The 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum is a system that provides guidelines to manage 

recreational opportunities, available facilities and visitor supply. This tool could allow 
33

BLM to manage the ISDRA based on the type of recreation experience that is desired for 

a specific area

10. How much motorized trespass is occurring in the North Algodones Dunes 

Wilderness Area, what impacts are occurring, and how can it be eliminated?

Motorized vehicles are used to illegally enter the wilderness. Although land use 

monitoring is occurring, the total frequency of trespass is not known. This issue will look 

at how law enforcement and education can reduce the level of trespass.

11. What management actions should be utilized for legal motorized access afforded 

the Border Patrol, California Department of Fish and Game and other law enforcement 

agencies to the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness?

The enabling legislation that designated the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area 

was the CDPA. This Act allows for continued motorized use by the California 

Department of Fish and Game to monitor and maintain their wildlife guzzlers inside the 

wilderness area. The CDPA also allows U.S. Border Patrol to continue their operations 

inside the wilderness area. Although these uses are allowed, they have an impact on the 

wilderness values of solitude and naturalness. This RAMP will discuss at what levels 

these uses would be allowed, while accomplishing the goals of all agencies involved.

12. What is the future for the Fee Demo program?

The Fee Demo Program began in the ISDRA on January 1, 1999 as authorized by 

Congress through the BLM’s appropriation process. There has been controversy over the 

program since its inception. Responding to public criticism, the BLM entered into a 

Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of Parks and Recreation 

Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, and the California Off-Highway Motor 

Vehicle Recreation Commission. This Memorandum of Understanding expired on 

September 30, 2000. In support of this Memorandum of Understanding a technical 

review team (TRT) was created to provide input about how the collected funds should be 

spent in the ISDRA. 

The 2003 fiscal year Interior appropriations bill extends the Fee Demo test program 

through 2004. This is the fifth extension of the original expiration date. It is unknown at 

this time how many more times it will be extended or if it will become permanent 

legislation. Currently, the future of the Fee Demo Program across the U.S., including the 

ISDRA, depends upon the continued re-authorization of this legislation by Congress. 

13. How will priorities be set with potential budget reductions from “green sticker” 

and allocated dollars? 

In past years, partnerships with the State of California Off-Highway Vehicle Commission 

and Division have provided a substantial amount of financial support to the ISDRA. 

Current regulations and Commission priorities are making those dollars increasingly 
34

more difficult to obtain, causing concern for future programs at the ISDRA. This issue 

would address continued financing solutions for those programs and projects that are 

planned.

14. How will potential/partial closure of the ISDRA to recreational use affect OHV 

users, vendors and the communities who base their livelihood and income on OHV 

activities? 

This issue will explore methods to balance the recreational use of the ISDRA and the 

potential for economic benefit and growth.

15. At what level are noxious weeds occurring within the ISDRA planning area? 

What measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate them?

The area has scattered infestations of saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), leafless tamarisk 

(Tamarix aphylla), Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii), cheat grass (Bromus 

tectorum), and extensive areas of schismus (Schismus barbatus). Infestations of 

saltcedar occur in the pockets of the eastern dunes where water collects after rainstorms. 

Large leafless tamarisks are present north of Highway 78 near Glamis. The east side of 

the wilderness area contains very heavy infestations of Sahara mustard in microphyll 

woodland, desert dry wash woodland and creosote bush scrub habitats. The mustard has 

also been sighted near the Buttercup off-ramp between the freeway and the frontage road. 

Weeds can be eliminated with herbicide applications on a limited scale. Larger scale 

removal is not possible due to the large size of the ISDRA and funding limitations. In the 

future exotic plant removals would focus on areas of high biological value with severe 

infestations. Eradicating exotic plants over the majority of the ISDRA is not a feasible 

goal. In the future, biological controls may become available for some of these species 

for control on a wide scale. However, at this time these methods are not available.

16. How can air quality standards in the ISDRA be met?

The Glamis area has intermittently poor air quality resulting from natural conditions, 

smog and agricultural burning in the nearby Imperial and Mexicali Valleys. The ISDRA 

Plan Area is located within Imperial County, which is a non-attainment area for ozone 

and PM10. This situation is exacerbated on holiday weekends in the fall and winter. At 

these times, large numbers of OHV and motor homes arrive in the Glamis area, creating 

airborne dust particles and hydrocarbon emissions. This issue addresses methods to met 

air quality standards.

17. Can the loss of OHV opportunities throughout the CDCA plan area be mitigated?

Since the inception of the CDCA Plan in 1980, the demand for areas open to OHV 

recreational use has increased. At the same time, other management objectives on BLMmanaged lands have constrained access to some of the areas used historically for OHV 

recreation. (For example, OHV use areas have been closed to protect sensitive biological 
35

resources. This issue concerns how the BLM can provide OHV and camping 

opportunities to replace lost opportunities at ISDRA and other areas managed by the 

CDCA plan.
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Chapter III

ISDRA Management Direction

This chapter presents management goals and management actions for the ISDRA. Some 

of the goals and actions are for the entire ISDRA. They are referred to as ‘area wide 

goals’ and ‘area wide management actions’. Other goals and actions are for only a 

portion of the ISDRA. 

BLM has decided to establish eight separate geographic areas to assist in the management 

of the ISDRA. These areas are called management areas. This will allow BLM to 

manage different geographic areas of the ISDRA to meet different goals, such as an area 

could be wilderness, another area could be rural camping and another area developed 

camping. The management areas are: Mammoth Management Area, North Algodones 

Dunes Wilderness Management Area, Gecko Management Area, Glamis Management 

Area, Adaptive Management Area, Olgilby Management Area, Dune Buggy Flats 

Management Area, and Buttercup Management Area. 

Each of these nine management areas will be managed based on a recreational setting. 

The recreational setting is used to determine the level of development, the types of 

facilities that are appropriate and ultimately, the type of recreational opportunity that one 

will experience. Full descriptions of the intended recreation experiences, attributes and 

management guidelines for each setting can be found in the 1986 Recreation Opportunity 

Spectrum (ROS) red book. ROS is the basic foundation for the description of visitor 

supply. It has been used by resource management Agencies for over 25 years. Each of 

the eight areas within the ISDRA will be assigned one of the following recreation setting 

classifications:

- Rural – The BLM will manage approximately 29,067 acres primarily in this ROS 

class. These facilities include campgrounds, overlooks, parking lots, and camping 

pads along Interstate 8 and along Gecko Road. A substantially modified natural 

environment characterizes this setting. Resources are modified to enhance 

specific recreation activities. Sights and sounds of humans are readily evident 

and interaction between users is often moderate to high. A considerable number 

of facilities are designed for use by a large number of people. Facilities are often 

provided for special activities. Facilities for intensified motorized use and 

parking are available. Available overnight campsites largely define visitor supply 

of rural ROS settings.

- Roaded Natural – Approximately 62,409 acres primarily along the Highway 78, 

the railroad, Interstate 8 and the New Coachella Canal will be managed as roaded 

natural ROS class. Predominantly natural appearing environments characterize 

this setting. Facilities are designed and constructed to accommodate conventional 

motorized use. Moderate sights and sounds of humans exist and interaction 
38

between users may be low to moderate, but with evidence of other users 

prevalent. Resource modification is evident, but in harmony with the natural 

environment. Roaded natural settings may support OHV use in those portions of 

the ISDRA where it lies between access roads or camping facilities. Available 

overnight dispersed camp areas largely define visitor supply of roaded natural 

opportunities

- Semi-Primitive Motorized – The BLM will manage approximately 41,394 acres 

in the semi-primitive motorized ROS class, primarily in Mammoth Wash 

Management Area and the Adaptive Management Area. Mammoth Wash 

Management Area will provide overnight camping and day use semi-primitive 

motorized opportunities. The Adaptive Management Area will provide unique 

world-class day-use opportunities for semi-primitive motorized recreation. A 

semi-primitive motorized area is predominantly natural or natural-appearing 

environment of moderate to large size (generally greater than 2,500 acres). The 

resource integrity of the area is very important to the visitor experience. 

Concentration of users is low, but there may be evidence of other users. 

Available overnight dispersed camp areas in the Mammoth Wash Management 

Area and the number of day use permitted groups in the Adaptive Management 

Area largely defines visitor supply of semi-primitive motorized opportunities. 

- Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized – The BLM will manage approximately 26,202 

acres as semi-primitive non-motorized ROS class. These acres occur in a large 

block in the North Algodones Dune Wilderness Management Area. A 

predominantly natural or natural-appearing environment of moderate to large size 

(generally larger than 2,500 acres) characterizes this setting. Interaction between 

users is low, but there is often evidence of other users. The area is managed with 

minimal and subtle on-site controls and restrictions. Motorized use is not 

permitted. (Note: The configuration, size, adjacent highways, railroad and view 

shed is consistent with semi-primitive ROS class, however primitive recreation 

opportunities are available in some specific locations). 1 overnight camping party 

for every 2 square miles largely defines visitor supply.

The goals and management actions, utilizing the ROS classifications, will provide

direction for land and resource management in the ISDRA. This chapter identifies area 

wide goals and management actions for the entire ISDRA and for each management area 

with specific goals and management actions identified by various BLM programs, 

including recreation, access and facility development, biological resources, information 

and interpretive education, commercial activities, funding, health and safety, and cultural 

resources. This chapter also includes desired conditions for the entire ISDRA and each 

management area of the ISDRA. (See Map 4.)
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View Map 4

Management Areas – 98Kb
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Management Goals For the Entire ISDRA

The ISDRA will be managed to achieve the following three guiding goals. These goals 

describe a desired condition to be achieved during the lifetime of this plan. They reflect 

the primary issues, concerns, and opportunities discussed in Chapter II, as well as 

applicable laws and regulations. These goals are expressed in general terms. The 

management actions in subsequent sections of this chapter are intended to achieve these 

goals. The following three guiding goals are for the entire ISDRA.

- Goal 1 - Provide a variety of sustainable OHV and other recreational activities

- Goal 2 - Maintain or improve conditions of the special status species and other 

unique natural and cultural resources.

- Goal 3 - Create an environment to promote the health and safety of visitors, 

employees, and nearby residents by working with local, state, and federal 

agencies and interest groups.

RECREATION GOALS

The ISDRA would be managed as a nationally unique resource for dune based recreation 

opportunities. It is BLM’s recreation goal to manage the ISDRA to provide quality rural, 

roaded natural, semi-primitive motorized and semi-primitive non-motorized recreation 

opportunities. 

The ISDRA is a unique recreation resource in the southwestern United States. It is a sand 

dune system of a size and height that is unparalleled. The ISDRA fills a unique and 

valued niche for providing rural, roaded natural and semi-primitive OHV recreation 

opportunities. The BLM will provide recreation opportunities throughout the ISDRA for 

the public. A recreation opportunity is commonly defined as the opportunity for a person 

to participate in a particular activity in a specific setting, in order to realize a preferred 

type of experience and subsequent benefits. Thus a recreation opportunity is an 

integrated package of activities, settings, experiences, and benefits. OHV recreation is a 

broad term that encompasses many types of desired motorized recreation opportunities. 

A second recreation goal is to assure the conservation of recreation diversity in order to 

provide a spectrum of opportunities to meet the diverse tastes and preferences of the 

American public. 

The management of ISDRA will initiate the following:

- Increase effectiveness of law enforcement. Enforce existing rules and regulations, 

especially on holidays, in order to facilitate a quality OHV recreational experience 

and remove the “rave party” and lawless atmosphere. Control OHV congregation 

areas in order to provide safety for the OHV enthusiast and personnel. (The 

management actions for this bullet are located with the health and safety 

management actions.) 
42

- Intensive resource and recreation use monitoring to determine the relationship 

between OHV use, camping and distribution of various species of concern and to 

adjust recreational use as needed to meet guiding goal number 2. (The 

management actions for this bullet are located with the biological resources 

management actions. The monitoring plan is in Appendix 1.)

- Adaptively manage OHV recreation to meet ROS settings on non-holiday 

weekends, accommodating ROS settings changes during the six major holidays 

that are planned exceptions to the normal setting. Establish triggers to activate 

alternative management actions when visitation exceeds the supply of available 

camping opportunities by 15% of the time on a yearly basis. Establish more 

restrictive triggers to activate alternative management actions when visitation 

exceeds the supply of available camping opportunities by 20% of the time on a 

yearly basis or for 15% of the time for two consecutive years.

- Providing quality informational and interpretive materials and programs to 

enhance the visitor’s knowledge of the ISDRA’s flora, fauna, historic, 

recreational, and other significant resources and opportunities. (The management 

actions for this bullet are located with the management actions for education and 

interpretative education.)

- Accommodate OHV enthusiasts in the ISDRA without displacing the activity into 

less intensively used areas within the California desert.

To assist in accomplishing the two recreation goals, BLM has studied the available 

camping sites at the ISDRA. BLM has assigned ROS classes to each of the nine 

management areas, as shown in the column titled “Desired ROS Class” in Table 2. The 

ROS class determines the number of campsites that can be available per acre for a 

management area. The column titled “Number of Acres for Overnight Group Camping” 

provides the acreage available for camping for the campsites and each management area. 

Since the actual geography and conditions of an area (for example a steep slope or 

vegetation) generally reduce the actual number of campsites that can be used for 

camping, BLM reduced the number of available campsites by ten percent. The number 

of available campsites by campground for each management area is shown in the column 

titled “Reasonable Number of Usable Campsites” in Table 2. In order to allow groups to 

camp together, as is a common practice at the dunes, BLM assumed six primary camping 

vehicles would be in each camping group. The total number of primary camping vehicles 

for each area is shown in the column of Table 2 titled “Number of Vehicles per 

Campground. To determine the total number of campers that could be accommodated at 

the dunes using the assigned ROS classifications, BLM assumed that 3.5 people would be 

camping with each primary camping vehicle. The total number of campers is given in the 

column titled “Number of Campers per Campground” in Table 2. To determine if visitor 

supply was being exceeded, BLM would rely upon vehicle count data. (Visitor supply is 

controlled by vehicle count, not by the number of people.) 
Table 2: Alternative 2 Natural/Cultural/Recreation 

AVAILABLE CAMPING SITES AND TOTAL CAMPERS FOR EACH MANAGEMENT AREA AND CAMPGROUND

Management

Area and 

Campground Desired ROS Class

Number of Acres 

for Overnight 

Group Camping

Number of 

Acres per 

Camp Site 

Maximum 

Number of 

Camp Sites

Reasonable 

Number of Usable 

Camp Sites 

(90% of Max.)

Number of 

Vehicles per 

Campground 

(Assumes 6 vehicle 

per camp Site)

Number of Campers 

per Campground 

(Assumes 3.5 People 

per Vehicle)

Gecko Management Area

 Cement Flats Rural 4 0.25 16 14 86 302

 Camping Pads 1-5 Rural 13 0.25 52 47 281 983

 Gecko Campground Rural 41 0.25 164 148 886 3,100

 Keyhole Campground Rural 0.5 0.25 2 2 11 38

 Gecko Road (dispersed) Rural 121 0.5 242 218 1,307 4,574

 Gecko Overflow (dispersed) Rural 480 0.5 960 864 5,184 18,144

 Osborne Overlook Rural 2 .25 8 7 43 151

 Roadrunner Campground Rural 12 0.25 48 43 259 907

Subtotals 674 1,492 1,343 8,057 28,199

Buttercup Management Area

Buttercup Campground Rural 69 0.25 276 248 1,490 5,216

Midway Campground Rural 6 0.25 24 22 130 454

Greys Well (dispersed area) Rural 357 0.5 714 643 3,856 13,495

Subtotals 432 1,014 913 5,476 19,165

Mammoth Management Area Semi-Primitive 

Motorized

1,497 10 150 135 808 2,829

Glamis Management Area Roaded Natural 2,014 3 671 604 3,625 12,688

Ogilby Management Area Roaded Natural 1,539 3 513 462 2,770 9,696

Dune Buggy Flats Management Area Roaded Natural 1,237 3 412 371 2,227 7,793

North Algodones Dunes Wilderness 

Management Area

Semi-Primitive NonMotorized26,202 1,280 20 18 74

 Total 33,595 4,272 3,846 22,963 80,444

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ACCESS AND FACILITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The all-encompassing access and facility development goal is to develop or retrofit 

facilities, in the appropriate ROS classes, to accommodate visitation and meet all 

disability regulations and standards. Ensure that little or no development occurs in 

primitive areas. New developments will meet the all disability regulations and standards 

and employ universal design concepts. 

As the area available for OHV recreation opportunities decreases in California, the 

demand for the remaining OHV recreation areas continues to increase. This is especially 

the case in the ISDRA as the largest sand dune area open to OHV use. As the visitation 

levels have risen over the years, suitable camping locations and non-sandy surfaces to 

camp on have become prime commodities. The current facilities were not designed to 

accommodate the level of visitation the ISRDA now regularly receives on holidays. This 

has led to overcrowding in the campgrounds, overuse of the associated facilities, and a 

decrease in visitor satisfaction. The following are the goals for access and facility 

development:

- Design and construct camping and associated facilities in areas according to the 

designated ROS to meet the demand of the activity.

- The design of all new facilities will meet the social needs of the visitors and the 

management needs of the BLM. While the campgrounds and facilities have 

become overburdened, so have the facilities used by the BLM and other 

cooperating agencies. Facilities such as ranger stations need to be constructed or 

retrofitted to meet the needs of the field staff. Staff members currently work out 

of portable trailers to provide law enforcement and emergency medical services. 

The lack of the proper facilities has created safety hazards and ineffective 

management for employees in the field. BLM would construct or retrofit 

facilities to meet the needs of the staff in strategic locations within the planning 

area.

- Establish a campground reservation system and designated campsites for some 

campgrounds to improve the visitor experience and reduce visitor conflicts. 

- Increase maintenance on existing access roads.

OHV recreation is a popular activity for physically challenged people. OHVs provide an 

opportunity for the physically impaired to have a high level of independence and feeling

of freedom. While OHV recreation is fun and challenging, activities around the campsite 

are extremely difficult in the sandy environment. Objectives related to enhancing 

universal access are:

- Meet or exceed all legal requirements associated with accessibility issues.

- Employ universal design practices in the development of all new facilities.
46

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE GOALS

The management plan contains two primary goals for biological resources in the ISDRA:

- Maintain viable populations of all native species throughout ISDRA. The 

ISDRA contains unique species of plants, invertebrates and wildlife each with 

unique habitat requirements. BLM will use the results of monitoring threatened 

and endangered species, as well as the monitoring of highly visible indicator 

species such as the California Desert fringe-toed lizard to measure the health of 

the habitat. The plan is to monitor a representative group of species to determine 

the viability of the native species as a whole.

- Maintain habitat connectivity throughout the ISDRA. This goal’s purpose is to 

limit habitat fragmentation and maintain transfer of genetic material from all subpopulations throughout the ISDRA. Such genetic transfer is essential to 

maintaining viable populations. The use of the North Algodones Dunes 

Wilderness Management Area and the Adaptive Management Area for species 

conservation, rather than the use of numerous small, disconnected geographic 

areas, is important to meet this goal. 

BLM will utilize existing laws to protect special species, if needed. 43 CFR 8341.2 states 

that where the authorized officer determines that off-road vehicles are causing or will 

cause considerable adverse effects upon soil vegetation, wildlife, wildlife habitat, cultural 

resources, historical resources, threatened or endangered species, wilderness suitability, 

other authorized uses, or other resources, the authorized officer shall immediately close 

the area affected to the type(s) of vehicle causing the adverse effect until the adverse 

effects are eliminated and measures implemented to prevent reoccurrence. 

INFORMATION AND INTERPRETIVE EDUCATION GOALS

The primary information and interpretive education goal is to promote public awareness 

of the diverse and unique dunes environment. To accomplish this goal, BLM would 

develop public awareness of the diversity and importance of the ISDRA resource as it 

relates to the environment and recreational uses. BLM would increase the public’s 

knowledge and understanding of responsible use of OHV, other forms of backcountry 

travel, and low impact principles applicable to all recreational activities. BLM would 

increase the public’s knowledge and understanding about public land use, management 

issues, and land ethics.

During the past twenty years, the BLM El Centro Field Office has provided the public 

with an array of educational, safety, and interpretive information on the ISDRA. 

Information and interpretative materials have been provided to the public through 

brochures, maps, BLM’s website, media, volunteer organizations, and staff outreach on 

major holiday weekends at the ISDRA. In addition, the El Centro Office staff 

participates in major OHV events in southern California, to further educate and inform 
47

the public about land use and other management issues at the ISDRA. In spite of the 

outreach efforts made by the BLM, it is recognized that additional efforts must be made 

to address the pressing safety and environmental concerns at the ISDRA. BLM’s 

management objective is to facilitate and encourage the implementation of public 

education, safety and interpretation programs through coordinated efforts from 

partnerships with volunteer organizations and other agencies. 

A cultural resources education and interpretation program will also be developed. This 

program will include knowledge obtained from inventories and the cultural landscape.

Signs, kiosks, literature, and other forms of education and interpretation, including the 

Junior Ranger program, will continue to be developed to inform the public of the 

relevance and value of cultural and natural resources.

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY GOALS

The over-riding commercial activity goal is to manage recreational and commercial 

activities at ISDRA to accommodate visitor needs, improve visitor experience, and where 

consistent with management goals, to allow economic benefits for local and regional 

communities.

There are three categories of activities, vending, tour busses and concessions, which are 

generally considered commercial uses. Each type of activity has specific issues that need 

to be addressed in the RAMP. 

Vending: Vendor permits are temporary, short term, non-exclusive, revocable 

authorizations to sell goods or services in conjunction with recreational activities. At 

ISDRA, with its potential to draw large crowds for several days at a time, issuance of 

approximately 80-100 permits is currently part of BLM’s management activities.

During the recreation season, some areas of ISDRA resemble a medium sized city. 

Along with the recreational participants and project staff, a number of vendors have 

established a variety of small businesses to cater to the needs of the visitors. Some 

permitted vendors set up at fixed sites, and some operate mobile business providing both 

commodities and services. Commodities include fuel, water, food and ice, firewood and 

other camping supplies, vehicle parts and accessories, and souvenir items including tshirts. Services include mobile septic pumping, and vehicle related services that include 

mechanical repairs, tire services, and welding. 

As with all similar activities on BLM managed lands, these activities require a permit, 

and fee. Regulation includes payment of a percentage of gross revenue. Currently, 

vendors are required to pay for vending time in advance, for a 20 day fixed price, or on a 

daily rate in lieu of the percentage of gross revenues. In addition, before BLM issues a 

permit, vendors must have insurance and valid county permits for the specific activities 

they are involved in. Some of the local permits include:

- Peddler’s permits
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- Food vendor permits (to obtain these, the vendor food preparation areas are 

subject to an initial county inspection)

- Business licenses (from the Imperial County clerk’s office)

Vending activities at ISDRA can contribute to the visitors’ experience by providing 

goods or services on site. This allows a longer stay by visitors by eliminating the need to 

break camp to re-supply or obtain services. Some vendors at ISDRA have become 

institutions within the recreation community that frequents the ISDRA. They contribute 

to local and regional economies, and the associated permits are a source of income to the 

local government entities.

The vendor program requires additional management resources often at times of peak use 

when the demands on staff are greatest. Unless properly managed, vending can provide 

inappropriate materials, can contribute to the perception of lawlessness, can negatively 

affect public health or safety, and can provide negative effects on the resources of the 

public lands. 

Some of the issues regarding vending at ISDRA include:

- BLM staff is insufficient during the peak use weekends for routine duties such as 

compliance monitoring of vendors.

- Anecdotal reports have been received of multiple vendors operating under one 

permit.

- Safety hazards associated with mobile vending utilizing already crowded roads 

and highways. For example, “attractive nuisance” such as ice cream vendors 

tempt children to run across congested roads. 

- Mobile vending adds to the congestion of already crowded roads and staging 

areas, making emergency response by law enforcement or emergency medical 

service staff more difficult.

- Hazards are created by high-speed vehicle use near vending areas. 

- Semi-permanent occupancy of ISDRA by some vendors, between the weekends.

- Conflicts arise between vendors for “choice” vending locations. 

- BLM is unable to accurately assess the gross revenues for vendors.

- Cost recovery supports cost of issuing permits only, and little is available to 

support onsite program monitoring.
49

- BLM is involved in checking county revenue generating permits, while 

enforcement expertise for county issues is not available at vending sites. This is 

particularly important for food vendors. Anecdotal reports exist that some of the 

food vendors are not meeting sanitation codes, but BLM officers have no training 

or enforcement authority. 

- Conflicts arise because of increasing competition between vendors and private 

land based businesses adjacent to and within the ISDRA.

In order to be consistent with the commercial activity goal for the ISDRA, items sold, or 

services provided will: 

- Directly enhance the visitors’ experience.

- Be available in locations that are compatible with desired types of experiences.

 

- Not be detrimental to the health and safety of visitors, employees or nearby 

residents.

- Contribute to the funding mix for project management, and require a level of staff 

oversight that does not detract from other duties during times of peak demand. 

- Not detract from resource sustainability.

Throughout the life of the RAMP, vending at ISDRA will remain an important issue, and 

specific actions will be developed to adapt to changing conditions. The direction is to 

allow vending where it is consistent with the ROS for an area and the above issues are 

addressed.

Tour Busses: Tour busses are operated as a commercial profit-making venture, and are 

considered a recreational use of public lands when they utilize ISDRA facilities. 

Recreational uses for commercial purposes are considered as activities that require a 

permit.

Tour Busses frequently traverse ISDRA, both on Highway 78, and across Interstate 8. 

On Highway 78, the busses sometimes drive up Osborne Overlook. When the activity is 

conducted during off-peak recreational times, the use is consistent with the management 

goals. There is, however, concern that the types and sizes of vehicles represented are 

inappropriate for the capabilities of the road to the overlook. 

On Interstate 8, tour busses often utilize Buttercup campground for a rest stop, and many 

of the passengers utilize the vault toilets that have been provided for campers. As with 

the use of Osborne Overlook, use by the general public is not inappropriate during the 

off-peak times. These toilets were constructed with user funds from OHV activities, and 

more importantly, are expensive to pump, and if heavily used, become unavailable for the 
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designated use by fee-paying recreational participants. There is also potential for the 

busses to impact the access roads, and some concern about safety from the additional use.

The direction for managing the tour busses is:

- On Highway 78, BLM will evaluate the condition and use limits for Osborne 

Overlook. If the issues are sufficiently serious, BLM will close the road to 

commercial uses and cite violators.

- On Interstate 8, where tour busses are utilizing Buttercup Campground and at 

Osborne Outlook, BLM will work to establish a list of companies and drivers that 

are stopping with groups and assess appropriate permit fees. These funds will be 

utilized to cover the costs of the activity. In addition, BLM will work with the 

operators to improve level of services that they may need. Under that scenario, 

BLM will identify and cite non- permitted operators.

Concessions: Concession leases authorize the operation of recreation-oriented services 

and facilities by the private sector on BLM lands, in support of BLM recreation 

programs. Concessionaires are authorized though a concession lease which is 

administered on a regular basis and which requires the concessionaire to pay fees in 

exchange for the opportunity to carry out business activities. For example, many 

services in National Parks are provided by concessionaires, rather than by individual 

vendors, and many of the management activities are often provided by the 

concessionaire, rather than by the managing agency.

Currently, BLM has entered into a contract agreement with a private entity to manage the 

fee collection program. The vendor supplies and maintains the automated pay stations, 

collects the funds, and periodically pays the BLM a percentage of the revenue on a 

sliding scale based on the gross revenue. The contract for fee collection is a small step 

toward a concession program, under which a private contractor would manage some of 

the program at ISDRA, or provide goods or services under a contract with the BLM. 

As part of the development of this plan, BLM is exploring possibilities of a more active 

concession program. Various aspects of management for portions of the entire project 

may be suitable for private or other government entity management. Under this scenario, 

the concessionaire provides staff and other resources at cost and profit basis, or often for 

a percentage of the gross revenues. Some of the most common concessionaire activities 

include: campground management, fee collection, vendor management, and exclusive 

contracts for all vending services.

Another possibility for concession services would be to contract for “event management” 

staff to augment BLM on-site personnel for many aspects of the peak use weekends.

This plan does not propose additional concession services at this time, but the possibility 

exists that new developments will make concession management a viable alternative 

during the life of this plan. 
51

FUNDING GOALS

The funding goal is that funding for the ISDRA will become less dependent on 

contributed funds for base operations. If additional funds are available (i.e. grants), they 

will be used for additional or above base expenses that vary year to year. 

Funding for all operations in the ISDRA comes from Congressional appropriations, fees, 

and grants. During the past several years dramatic changes in the supply and demand for 

funding have required BLM to re-examine the future funding of the ISDRA. The current 

funding will not sustain the current level of service.

BLM will maintain funding consistent with the management actions whenever possible. 

If all funding sources are exhausted and funding needs have not been met, the BLM will 

not operate in deficit. BLM will be required to discontinue services permanently or 

temporarily until it can obtain funding. 

The BLM has had a productive partnership with the California State Parks Off-Highway 

Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and the OHMVR commission for over a 

decade. Together they have funded to the El Centro Field Office millions of “Green 

Sticker” dollars for improvements in OHV management and services in the ISDRA. This 

funding program was conceived to supplement appropriated dollars for the benefit of 

OHV enthusiasts and was initially used in that manner. However, over the years the 

BLM has become more and more dependant on OHMVR grants to supplement base 

appropriated funding. 

It is BLM’s goal that contributed funds will be used to supplement, not replace, federal 

funding. The goal is for acquired grants to become project and task oriented and not be 

utilized for base operations and maintenance. However, BLM will continue to work 

cooperatively with the OHMVR Division as a key partner. 

Through the authority of the fee demonstration (demo) program, the BLM began to 

charge and collect fees in the ISDRA on January 1, 1999. The fee demo program was 

designed to return collected revenue to the site of collection for improvements. After the 

beginning of the program, a Memorandum of Understanding was developed and signed 

by the OHMVR commission, the OHMVR Division, and the BLM. A technical review 

team (TRT) was designated to provide input on the expenditures of collected revenues in 

the ISDRA. Together, with the BLM, the TRT has conducted outreach to the visitors of 

the ISDRA to interpret the fee demo program and collect ideas on how the funds should 

be used. This new source of revenue has the potential to allow the BLM to increase 

services and continue and enhance its partnership with the OHMVR division.
52

BLM will continue to charge and collect fees in the ISDRA in the most efficient manner. 

All net revenues collected in the ISDRA will be spent in the ISDRA. The BLM 

anticipates maintaining a diverse TRT and continuing to work cooperatively with them 

on the management of the fee program and implementation of the RAMP. The ISDRA 

fee schedule will be based on the amount needed for cost recovery and to maintain basic 

operation and maintenance. The fee schedule will be used to adaptively manage temporal 

and spatial visitation patterns. The fee area will encompass the entire planning area.

Appropriated federal recreation funds for the BLM are currently not enough to 

accomplish base operations and maintenance at ISDRA. BLM must develop innovative 

strategies to acquire a maximum amount of appropriated recreation funding. The goal is 

for base salaries for permanent staff to be funded out of appropriated dollars and to a 

lesser degree, fee dollars. BLM must work cooperatively with all other interested parties 

to effectively communicate the need for an increased amount of appropriated allocations 

to budget federal personnel and appropriation committees.

HEALTH AND SAFETY GOALS

The main health and safety goal is to improve the health and safety of visitors, 

employees, and nearby residents by working with local, state, and federal agencies and 

interest groups. Another health and safety goal is to promote safety through education 

about the rules and regulations at the ISDRA. A third goal is to promote safety through 

law enforcement activities to improve compliance with the rules and regulations at 

ISDRA. Lastly, it is a health and safety goal to improve health by addressing the air 

quality around established roads with the management of dust and particulates through 

stabilization and/or reduction in accumulation, as appropriate and practical, and the 

enforcement of speed limitations. 

Federal regulation Title 43 CFR Part 8340.0-2 directs BLM to protect the resources of 

public lands, to promote the safety of all users of those lands, and to minimize conflicts 

among the various users of those lands. Both the BLM and ISDRA visitors are 

concerned about compliance with laws and regulations and current law enforcement 

issues. Increasing visitor populations during the OHV-use season have created larger 

crowds throughout the ISDRA. In addition, there seems to be an increase in visitors with 

a reckless disregard for the ISDRA laws and regulations. During the six major holiday 

periods, there is a need to increase the level of enforcement without greatly impacting the 

quality of the recreational experience currently enjoyed by the majority of the visiting 

public.

The BLM has historically been the lead agency for law enforcement in the ISDRA. 

Within the last two years, Imperial County Sheriff Office (ICSO) has acquired four grants 

from the OHMVR division for law enforcement activities related to the ISDRA. This 

provides the opportunity for the ICSO to work more closely and cooperatively with the 

BLM to provide law enforcement services. If the ICSO provides a substantial amount of 

law enforcement it would allow the BLM Rangers to focus on federal and state laws, 
53

rules, and regulations while ICSO could handle state and local laws, rules and 

regulations. Some federal issues have not been adequately addressed due to a lack of 

Rangers. BLM does not have enough Rangers to create a safe environment during peak 

use times. On-going coordination with and supplemental use of other law enforcement 

officers will continue to be needed. Supplemental communication (radio and 

dispatching) will be necessary to allow Rangers to operate safely. In addition, the level 

of lawlessness in certain areas of the ISDRA creates an unsafe environment. The use of 

alcohol at these areas is believed to contribute to the level of lawlessness. The frequency 

of drinking and reckless driving at the ISDRA is at an unacceptable level. This, too, 

contributes to creating an unsafe environment. (Please see the discussion on Competition 

Hill and Oldsmobile Hill in the Glamis Management Area section for more details.)

As with any vehicle use activity, there are many rules and regulations. It is a health and 

safety goal to provide education concerning the rules and regulations relating to OHV use 

at ISDRA. It is also a health and safety goal to provide education to encourage 

compliance with the rules about camping related issues such as disposal of trash and gray 

water. (The management action to fulfill the health and safety public education goal is 

located with the information and interpretation education management actions.)

At this time, the county emergency medical service providers offer different levels of 

service in different geographical areas in the ISDRA. In the Glamis and Gecko Areas, 

the county contracted emergency medical service is generally limited to the on-road 

areas. When available, a county contracted advanced life support provider will ride along 

with a BLM staff person when en route to a medical aid incident to offer assistance. In 

the Buttercup and Dune Buggy Flats Areas, the contracted county emergency medical 

service provider offers both on and off road assistance. They respond to incidents in nonBLM 4x4 vehicles to provide advanced life support medical aid.

OHV recreation is an inherently high-risk activity. In order to provide the best service 

for visitors to the area, the BLM has a staff of Rangers trained in basic life support. 

However, due to the increased visitation to the area there has been a need for an increased 

level of emergency medical service. In conjunction to the increased visitation, BLM has 

implemented the fee program. Along with the fee program is an expectation of an 

increased level of emergency services. In response to the need and expectation, BLM has 

increased its staff to accommodate the volume of emergency medical service incidents. 

As visitation levels and OHV recreation change over time, the BLM will work 

cooperatively with Imperial County to respond to the emergency medical service needs of 

the ISDRA visitors. 

The ISDRA is located in an air quality non-attainment area for PM10 and ozone. The 

activities at the ISDRA contribute an unknown amount of pollutants into the air. Air 

monitoring stations may be necessary to evaluate the contribution to the non-attainment 

due to ISDRA use. Several measures are currently conducted to improve air quality. 

These measures include sweeping of paved roads, maintenance of unpaved roads through 

the application of dust control agents and grading, speed limitations and controlled 

access. 
54

The management direction is to: 

- Work cooperatively with the county, the contracted emergency medical service 

providers, and other interested agencies, to find innovative methods of providing 

the highest level of emergency medical service needed to adequately serve the 

visitors of the ISDRA, as needs fluctuate.

- Provide adequate basic life support training to the ISDRA staff as a minimum 

level of emergency medical service.

- Provide adequate off road emergency medical service support to the county and 

visitors throughout the ISDRA. 

- Evaluate ISDRA impact to air quality non-attainment. Implement dust control 

activities to improve air quality as required by Imperial County Air Pollution 

Control Board.

 

CULTURAL RESOURCE GOALS 

The primary goal for cultural resource management within the planning area is to 

conserve and preserve selected cultural resources, and the cultural landscape, to the 

greatest extent possible, while providing for other uses for the ISDRA.

A cultural landscape assessment indicates that the Native American tribes whose 

traditional territory included or were adjacent to the dunes have maintained a strong 

connection with the dunes and generally view the landscape as significant. Another 

cultural resource goal of the RAMP is to manage the recreational use of the ISDRA to 

reduce impacts to the environment and cultural landscape.

Cultural resources in the management area represent both prehistoric and historic eras. 

The planning area includes about 200,000 acres, of which about 5% will be inventoried 

for this planning process. Known prehistoric sites are dominated by ceramic scatters and 

lithic scatters, but trails, rock enclosures, and temporary camps have been reported. Key 

historic resources include remnants of the Plank Road, All American Canal, and 

Coachella Canal, all of which are National Register of Historic Places eligible properties. 

Other recorded historic era resources include railroad construction camps and 

communities like Ogilby, Glamis, and Acolita; camps related to construction of water 

systems; and camps and activity areas related to the World War II Desert Training 

Center.

Inventories will be conducted to broaden knowledge of cultural resources. A third 

cultural resource goal, to be conducted as resources and priorities allow, is for identified 

resources to be evaluated under the criteria for the National Register of Historic Places. 

Eligible resources will be formally nominated to the National Register, as appropriate. 
55

Development of a program of public education and interpretation will continue. Signs, 

kiosks, literature, and other forms of education and interpretation, including the Junior 

Ranger program, will continue to be developed to inform the public of the relevance and 

value of cultural resources. (The management action to fulfill the cultural resources 

public education goal is identified with the information and interpretation education 

management actions.)

ISDRA Area Wide (AW) Existing Condition, Desired Future 

Condition and Management Actions

EXISTING CONDITION: Currently the ISDRA offers a wide variety of recreation 

opportunities. Land designations range from wilderness to intense use open areas. There 

are facilities in several of the areas, and visitors can utilize designated areas as well as 

dispersed sites. Visitation levels vary greatly from almost zero in the summer to 

approximately 200,000 on Thanksgiving weekend. The current staff is stretched to be 

able to successfully manage the ISRDA on regular weekends. Staffing size limitations 

has resulted in considerable difficulty managing the holiday weekend visitation. A 

general perception of lawlessness has developed because compliance with State and 

Federal laws and public and employee safety has decreased. 

DESIRED CONDITION: The ISDRA will be managed and divided into several 

management areas. Each of these management areas will be managed under a specific 

ROS classification to meet the needs of the visitors and management. There will be an 

array of ROS management classes ranging from semi-primitive non-motorized to rural. 

Each of these management areas will have a visitor supply that will be met at least 85% 

of the time during the visitor season (Oct 1st - May 31st). If visitation exceeds the supply 

over 15% of the time during the season, actions will be considered to limit access to the 

recreation area. Additionally, if visitation exceeds supply over 20% of the time during the 

season or 15% of the time during the season for two consecutive years, more restrictive 

actions will be considered to limit access to the recreation area. OHV recreation 

resources will be maintained while conserving the natural, and cultural resources. The 

ISDRA will continue to provide the sociological and economical benefits it has in the 

past. Law enforcement, volunteer services staff, and emergency medical service staffing 

will be adequate for the fluctuating levels of visitation. Education and interpretation will 

promote proper land use ethics.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Recreation

- AW # 1. Manage use to meet the supply set forth in all management areas. 

15% Trigger: If supply is being exceeded over 15% of the time (37 days) during 

a one use season (8 months, October – May), management will take the following 

actions:

o Initiate Resource Condition Survey and Social Survey
56

o Provide Information/Education to promote off peak season recreation

o Feasibility of the following actions will be evaluated:

- Expand the reservation system to 50% of the designated campsites

- Differential fees (for example, different fees for holiday weekends 

than for non-holiday weekends)

- Enhance Information/Education

20% Trigger: If supply is being exceeded over 20% of the time (49 days) during 

a one year use season (8 months, October – May) or 15% of the time during two 

consecutive years, management will take the following actions:

o Initiate Resource Condition Survey and Social Survey

o Provide Information/Education to promote off peak season recreating

o Expand the reservation system to 50% of the designated campsites

o Initiate Differential fees (for example lower fees for less popular dates)

o Enhance Information/Education

o Limit the number of users in the ISDRA

o Conduct a study to determine the feasibility of providing additional 

camping opportunities at the ISDRA

Trigger Reset Component: The triggers are tools that allow the BLM to meet its 

recreation and conservation goals. However, if these trigger are reached, and the 

subsequent actions are taken, the BLM will continue to monitor visitor supply in 

order to determine when the triggers can be reset and management of the dunes 

could return to the setting before the trigger was reached. Both the 15% and 20% 

actions will be temporary until the reset triggers are met. The reset triggers will 

vary and are as follows:

- If the trigger is the visitor supply was exceeded over 15% of the time 

during one use season, the reset trigger will be a season in which the 

visitor supply is not exceeded by more than 15% of the time.

- If the trigger is the visitor supply was exceeded over 20% of the time 

during one use season, the reset trigger will be a season in which the 

visitor supply is not exceeded by more than 20% of the time.

- If the trigger is the visitor supply was exceeded over 15% of the time 

during two use seasons, the reset trigger will be two seasons in which the 

visitor supply is not exceeded by more than 15% of the time.

- AW # 2. The fee business plan will be updated within two years of the 

completion of this plan. It is anticipated that fees will be collected within the 

planning area. Fees will be collected in all management areas. Fees will be based 

on the level of demand per weekend and cost recovery. Fees may be used to 

disperse visitation.
57

- AW # 3. Conduct a visitor survey to provide public input on safety, natural and 

cultural resources concerns and management of the ISDRA. Implement a visitor 

and OHV use survey. 

- AW # 4. For every three acres of camping area closed for resource conservation 

in roaded natural ROS class, 0.25 acres of camping area will be developed or 

constructed in a rural area. (The replacement acreage was determined using the 

amount of acreage that would result in the same number of camping sites for the

recreational experience, but in an alternative ROS classification. The number of 

camping sites per acre is shown in Table 2. For the roaded natural ROS 

classification, three acres is used for one camping site. For the rural ROS 

classification, 0.25 acres is equivalent to one camping site.)

- AW # 5. For every .25 acres of camping areas closed for resource conservation in 

rural ROS class, .25 acres will be developed or constructed in a rural area. (The 

replacement acreage was determined using the amount of acreage that would 

result in the same number of camping sites for the recreational experience. The 

number of camping sites per acre is shown in Table 2. For the rural ROS 

classification, 0.25 acres is equivalent to one camping site.)

- AW. # 6. For every 10 acres of camping closed for resource conservation in semi 

primitive motorized area, .25 acres will be developed or constructed in a rural 

area. (The replacement acreage was determined using the amount of acreage that 

would result in the same number of camping sites for the recreational experience, 

but in an alternative ROS classification. The number of camping sites per acre is 

shown in Table 2. For the semi private motorized ROS classification, ten acres is 

used for one camping site. For the rural ROS classification, 0.25 acres is 

equivalent to one camping site.)

- AW # 7. Develop and publicize a free use program. This program will establish 

free use days from Saturday of the first full weekend in December to the 

following Friday at the ISDRA. The free use days were established by BLM to 

allow use of the ISDRA by those who may not be able to afford the fees.

Access and Facilities

- AW # 8. Replace or retrofit all facilities to meet or exceed universal and 

disability regulations and guidelines, as appropriate. 

- AW # 9. Construct user friendly and tortoise and disability compliant trash 

collection facilities. Develop a workable solution and construct trash bin “loading 

docks” to ease and ensure the proper use of trash dumpsters.

- AW # 10. Determine the maintenance workload on a yearly basis. Based on the 

identified workload and the available funding, determine the appropriate number 

of maintenance employees and necessary equipment for the year. It is anticipated 
58

that a staff of one permanent lead and two term maintenance workers for the care 

of the ISDRA facilities may be necessary. Additional heavy equipment may be 

necessary to complete the identified work.

Biological Resources 

- AW # 11. Implement a monitoring plan for three plant species of concern, 

Peirson’s milk-vetch, Algodones Dunes sunflower, and Sand food. Analyze the 

monitoring data to compare the trend is species abundance due to the different 

types of recreational use in each area. Adjust recreational use in the Adaptive 

Management Area to meet guiding goal number 2. (The detailed plan for this 

monitoring is in Appendix 1.)

- AW # 12. Implement a monitoring plan for two lizard species of concern, 

Colorado Desert Fringed Toed Lizard and Flat-tailed horned lizard. Analyze the

monitoring data to compare the trend in species abundance due to the different 

types of recreational use in each area. Adjust recreational use in the Adaptive 

Management Area to meet guiding goal number 2. (The detailed plan for this 

monitoring is in Appendix 1.)

- AW # 13. Implement a monitoring plan for desert microphyll woodland 

vegetation. Analyze the monitoring data to compare the trend in vegetation cover 

due to the different types of recreational use in each area. Adjust recreational use 

in the Adaptive Management Area to meet guiding goal number 2. (The detailed 

plan for this monitoring is in Appendix 1.)

- AW # 14. Increase staffing to include a permanent monitoring coordinator.

Information and Interpretation Education

- AW # 15. Work cooperatively with the OHV community, the environmental 

community, and other local, state and federal agencies to develop and implement 

interpretive and public relations programs about safety, rules & regulations, desert 

survival, and the natural, historical, and recreational resources of the ISDRA.

- AW # 16. Develop interpretive brochures, maps, etc. specific to ISDRA issues 

with emphasis on resource conservation, sensitive species, recreation issues, 

clearly defined rules and regulations, open and closed areas, permit required areas 

and consequences of violations. Create a “Quick Facts” brochure which 

addresses the following ISDRA topics: (1) recreation, safety, and law 

enforcement, (2) biological and cultural conservation, and (3) facilities (including 

waste management). Develop and maintain information stations throughout the 

ISDRA.

- AW # 17. Conduct local area and regional outreach through the OHV community 

and OHV businesses. Strengthen BLM’s involvement and participation in 
59

organized OHV events in southern California. Participate and work closely with 

OHV organizations to improve communication concerning land use and 

management issues at the ISDRA.

- AW # 18. Utilize the INTERNET for both national and international outreach.

- AW # 19. Continue the ISDRA Jr. Ranger Program with additional involvement 

from law enforcement, rangers, cultural and resource personnel.

- AW # 20. Establish volunteer host programs at campgrounds. Continue 

volunteer clean ups and other volunteer projects. 

Commercial Activities 

- AW # 21. All permitted activities will be done in a fashion that will have the 

lowest chance of visitor conflicts. (Non-recreational commercial activities will 

generally not be permitted during the holidays or busy periods.) Vending would 

continue to be 7 days a week throughout the 2002 duning season. Beginning 

October 2003, allow vending from October 1 through May 31 from noon 

Thursday through noon Monday at the Glamis Flats, Dune Buggy Flats and 

Buttercup vending areas. All vending materials, supplies and related vending 

material would be required to be physically removed from the ISDRA from 

Monday at noon to Thursday at noon. Vending at the three locations identified 

above would be expanded to include seven days a week vending from noon on 

December 25 through noon on the Monday following January 1. Vending would 

also be expanded to include the seven days prior to Easter. Vending would be 

allowed on all observed federal holidays. (If the observed federal holiday falls on 

a Friday, vending would be allowed from noon on the Thursday prior to the 

holiday and continue through the weekend to noon on Monday. If the observed 

federal holiday falls on a Monday, vending could continue from the previous 

Friday, at noon, through the weekend to Tuesday at noon.) Vending would be 

allowed from noon the Thursday before Thanksgiving to noon the Monday 

following Thanksgiving. Beginning in October 2003, the Gecko Road vending 

pad would be the only long term vending pad. Vending on this pad will be 

allowed continuously throughout the duning season. That is, vending would 

continue to be 7 days a week in this area. Do not allow non-recreational 

commercial activities during the high use holiday periods. This change in the 

vending schedule is to plan the vending activities so that they support the 

recreational experience and to reduce conflict with the local business owners. 

Since the majority of the recreational enthusiasts that benefit from the vending 

activities frequent the dunes on the weekends, this schedule adjustment will 

provide more efficient support of the recreational experience. All significant 

commercial activities will be monitored by the BLM to ensure compliance with 

the rules, regulations, and stipulations.
60

- AW # 22. The price structure for vending in the ISDRA will be independently 

reviewed every two years, beginning in 2003, based on this review, the fee for 

special recreation permits will be adjusted.

Funding

- AW # 23. Develop and maintain a five-year budget for the ISDRA that utilizes 

federal appropriations and fee demo revenues as the funding source for base 

operations and grants, partnerships and other funding for supplemental needs. 

This five-year budget will allow for free use days from the Saturday of the first 

full weekend in December and continuing for seven days. It will also include fees 

for use of the Wilderness.

Health and Safety

- AW # 24. Radio communication for the volunteer service staff and emergency 

medical service will be maintained at a level equal to, or greater than, the current 

holiday incident command system. The radio system will be developed and 

maintained at a level that will ensure the safety of the staff and the public.

- AW # 25. Volunteer service staff and emergency medical service staff members 

will continue to conduct dispatching duties from Cahuilla Ranger Station unless 

an agreement can be reached to provide the same level of service with another 

dispatch center, such as, the Federal Interagency Communications Center in San 

Bernardino, CA.

- AW # 26. Determine the recreational workload on a yearly basis. Based on the 

identified workload and the available funding, determine the appropriate number 

and types of recreational employees, volunteers, and necessary equipment and 

supplies for the year. It is anticipated that a the workload may reach a level to 

require the following staffing levels and adjustments: 

Permanent park rangers (increase from 1 to 4)

Seasonal park rangers (decrease from 9 to 0)

Permanent volunteer service staff and emergency medical service park 

rangers subject to seasonal furlough (increase from 0 to 10) (This 

would help address the extremely high employee turnover rates, as 

well as enable the ISDRA staff to better address the needs of the 

public.)

Supervisory engineer (increase from 0 to 1)

Additional personnel for holiday help (increase from 7 to 15)

- AW # 27. Determine the law enforcement workload on a yearly basis. Based on 

the identified workload and the available funding, determine the appropriate 

number of law enforcement employees and necessary equipment for the year. It 

is anticipated that at times staffing may need to be modified in the following 
61

manner: For normal weekends, increase the number of rangers from 2 to 14. This 

would provide for both night and day patrols. Since the goal is to disperse some of 

the holiday use to the off weekends BLM needs to maintain adequate staffing 

throughout the season. In addition the adaptive use management area may need 

rangers assigned to it exclusively. On an initial basis all holiday weekends should 

be staffed as listed below, with the primary goal of modifying the current 

behavior patterns using the incident command system and decreasing the number 

of law enforcement officers as behavior patterns improve:

Halloween 75 - 125 

Thanksgiving 150 - 200 

New Year 75 - 100 

Martin Luther King 50 - 75

Presidents Day 100 –150

Easter 50 – 100 

- AW # 28. Develop a tool to ban alcohol outside of the designated camping areas 

if needed to maintain law and order. (See Map 5.) If enacted, this potential ban 

would significantly reduce the level of alcohol related incidents within the ISDRA 

and aid in the overall enforcement of alcohol related violations.

- AW # 29. Develop a tool to establish temporary closure or curfew / restricted 

areas in areas that are experiencing a high level of lawlessness. The potential 

closure areas may include, but are not limited to, the 6 major OHV congregation 

points: Competition Hill north and south, Oldsmobile Hill, Test Hill, Patton 

Valley and the sand drags. These areas traditionally attract rowdy and abusive 

crowds. The level of violence such as assaults on the public, safety personal, and 

employees have become unacceptable during the afternoon or night time hours. 

Vandalism of property and resources as well as alcohol and drug related crime is 

presently at an unacceptable level. The curfew or restriction may be removed if, 

based on the judgment of the BLM Rangers, unsafe, violent, unlawful behavior 

has been significantly reduced from the level observed during the 2002 dune 

season. It may be restored after being removed, if, based on the judgment of the 

BLM Rangers, the level of unsafe, violent, unlawful behavior increases. (See Map 

6.)

- AW # 30. Increase law enforcement presence and enforcement throughout the 

ISDRA. Create a law enforcement co-operative team composed of BLM, 

Imperial County Sheriff, San Diego County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, 

city police, California State Parks, the U.S. Border Patrol and other law 

enforcement agencies (as available) to increase law enforcement and safety and to 

identify issues and solve situations (e.g. tracking repeat offenders, provide aircraft 

support, use of incident command for holiday weekends). Work with the county 

and federal court systems to develop alternate forms of punishment for violators. 

Community Service Programs in lieu of fines have been suggested such as 

weekend trash clean up within the ISDRA. This would also serve to educate the 
62

violators on the land ethics. Other suggestions are a web or classroom based land 

ethics course similar in scope to traffic school. Establish a compliance 

monitoring system to gather and assess historic and current law enforcement 

activity data to determine trends and correlations. Compliance and enforcement 

activities will be evaluated each year to determine their effectiveness and to assist 

in developing an ISDRA law enforcement plan combining conventional and 

innovative methods to provide the highest level of effective law enforcement.

- AW # 31. Explore the feasibility of contracting with the National Park Service to 

provide additional law enforcement (subject to seasonal furlough) in order to meet 

peak season demands and safety response during normal and holiday weekends.

- AW # 32. As needed, based on the Dust Control Plan (once approved by Imperial 

County Air Pollution Control District), treat the following access roads for dust 

control to reduce the impact of OHV activities on air quality: Ted Kipf Road 

(from south of Glamis and north of the Adaptive Use Area), the Canal Road 

adjacent to the Coachella Canal, Wash Road adjacent to the Union Pacific 

Railroad (from south of Glamis to the Clyde Overcrossing), the entry road to 

Dune Buggy Flats Campground. (Please note that at the time that this document 

is being completed, Imperial County Air Pollution Control District is in the 

process of revising the air quality implementation plan for the entire County. 

BLM will comply with the final plan.)

- AW # 33. Install air meters for ozone and PM10 in the ISDRA, if requested by 

Imperial County Air Pollution Control District or the U.S. EPA. Implement 

actions to mitigate for contributions to the non-attainment due to activities at the 

ISDRA, as requested by Imperial County Air Pollution Control District.

- AW # 34. Continue with and refine the Incident Command (IC) System set in 

place for the busy holiday weekends. The IC system has greatly increased the 

effectiveness off the law enforcement and emergency medical service function. 

The plan allows for the increase or decrease of personnel needed for each event 

while at the same time maintaining the goals set forth in the event. 

- AW # 35. Maintain, post and enforce the following speed limitations: all sand 

highway segments near zones of recreational use concentration, the Wash Road 

and the road entering Dune Buggy Flats, Gecko Road and Grays Well Road. 

Establish, post and enforce a speed limitation in Gecko Loop Campground, Key 

Hole Campground, Midway Campground and Buttercup Key Hole Camping 

Area.

Cultural Resources

- AW # 36. Nominate significant resources to the National Register of Historic 

Places, as appropriate.
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View Map 5

Designated Camping Areas – 85Kb
64

blank page
65

View Map 6

Curfew Areas – 79Kb
66

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67

Existing Conditions, Desired Future Conditions, and 

Management Actions of the Management Areas (MAs)

In order to effectively manage the ISDRA under the ROS, ISDRA has been divided into 

eight management areas and an external planning area. The management areas have been 

grouped together into areas ranging from semi-primitive non-motorized to rural. These 

ROS classes allow the BLM to set reasonable guidelines to meet ROS objectives in each 

class. (See Map 4.)

Mammoth Wash Management (MM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Mammoth Wash Management Area consists of about 

8,105 acres of BLM managed land located in the extreme northwest end of the ISDRA. 

(See Map 7.) Within this management area is approximately 3,486 acres of privately 

owned land and approximately 447 acres of State owned land, which will not be managed 

by BLM. It is bordered on the north by private land, on the south by the North 

Algodones Dunes Wilderness, on the East by the Rail Road, on the west by the Coachella 

Canal. The Mammoth Management Area has been designated as Class L “Limited” in 

this CDCA plan amendment. This area is used for camping, hunting, OHVs, rights of 

way (see Appendix 2) and filming. This area uses a wildlife management technique 

called guzzlers to provide drinking water to wildlife. (Some of the privately owned 

property is used for agriculture.) However, the difficulty and remote access to the 

Mammoth Wash Management Area has severely restricted OHV recreation use in the 

area. While its remoteness serves as an attraction for some who desire a more semiprimitive motorized recreational opportunity, it does prevent full utilization of the 

Mammoth Wash Management Area. OHV recreation at Mammoth Wash is light with 

estimates of 10-15 groups utilizing the area on major holiday weekends. OHV 

recreational activity during the week is minimal, with many weekdays with no OHV 

visitation.

DESIRED CONDITION: The desired condition for the Mammoth Wash Management 

Area is to allow for OHV recreation with the emphasis on semi-primitive motorized 

recreation opportunity. Emphasis will be placed on conserving and protecting natural and 

cultural resources, including threatened and other sensitive plants and animals. Focus will 

be to allow OHV recreational opportunities for small groups and other individuals that 

seek solitude with relatively low concentrations of OHV use. The management focus will 

ensure that the area’s semi-primitive characteristics remain intact. Protection of natural 

and cultural resources will be highlighted. Minimal restrictions will be placed on the 

groups that recreate in this Mammoth Wash Management Area. There will be no facilities 

or other developments recommended for the area. Visitors will be encouraged to practice 

good stewardship, responsible use of off-highway vehicles, and low-impact principles to 

all recreational activities. Habitat conservation and resource protection will be achieved 

through an aggressive outreach program that will increase the public’s knowledge of the 

sensitive natural and cultural resources found in the management area. Visitor supply 

ranges would be established to provide for low concentrations of OHV use to retain the 
68

high quality semi-primitive characteristics of the area. Periodic modification to the visitor 

supply range will be determined through professional analysis resulting from data and 

information compiled during ongoing resource and visitor satisfaction surveys, as well as 

data compiled from resource monitoring programs. Emphasis will be placed on 

responsible use of off-highway vehicles, and low-impact principles applicable to all 

recreational activities. 

Access to the Mammoth Wash Management Area is via the Ted Kipf Road and the 

Glamis-Niland Road. No road improvements are planned or recommended to improve 

motorized access into Mammoth Wash. No facilities are planned or will be allowed in 

the Mammoth Wash Management Area. No commercial events will be authorized in the 

Mammoth Wash Management Area, except for photography or filming permits. No 

competitive events or activities would be authorized in the Mammoth Wash Management 

Area. Activities for the area will include irregular ranger patrols, recreation satisfaction 

survey, establishment of an environmental ethics program, and implementation of a 

biological resource monitoring program. Each of these activities are included in the area 

wide actions.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS:

Access and Facilities

MM # 1. Continue to work in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Game 

for the proper maintenance of the wildlife guzzlers.
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North Algodones (NA) Dunes Wilderness Management Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Management Area 

consists of approximately 26,202 acres managed by BLM. (See Map 8.) Within this 

management area is approximately 406 acres of privately owned land and approximately 

199 acres of State owned land, which will not be managed by BLM. The North 

Algodones Dunes Wilderness Management Area has been designated as Class C 

“Controlled” in this CDCA plan amendment. The activities in this area include 

photographic activities, sightseeing, walking, hiking, backpacking, camping, nature 

study, horseback riding, hunting, rights of way, and wildlife viewing. There are no fees 

to enter the site. No commercial uses are allowed. No use of mechanized vehicles of any 

kind (OHVs, motorcycles, bicycles, hang gliders, motorized equipment, or motorboats) is 

allowed. No facilities are available. This area uses a wildlife management technique 

called guzzlers to provide drinking water to wildlife. Primitive camping is available. On 

both non-holiday and holiday weekends the level of use is low. No motorized access is 

allowed in this area, except for law enforcement activities (for example, activities related 

to apprehending trespassers and providing medical aid) and maintenance activities for 

example, signage maintenance, guzzler maintenance and boundary maintenance.

DESIRED CONDITION: This area is to be maintained as a wilderness. This area will 

be managed under the semi-primitive non-motorized ROS classification. A 

predominantly natural or natural-appearing environment of moderate to large size 

(generally larger than 2,500 acres) characterizes this setting. Interaction between users is 

low, but there is often evidence of other users. The area is managed with minimal and 

subtle on-site controls and restrictions. Motorized use is not permitted.

Limited motorized access into this area is allowed for law enforcement activities and for 

the maintenance of wildlife guzzlers. Occasionally others trespass into this area with 

motorized vehicles. The amount of motorized trespasses in this area should be reduced.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

OHV/Recreation

- NA # 1. Conduct regular patrols of the boundaries to enforce laws related to 

motorized access of the wilderness.

- NA # 2. Continue coordination with the Border Patrol, and California 

Department of Fish and Game on legal motorized entry into the wilderness area. 

Cooperate with private land owners in the wilderness area.

Access and Facilities

- NA # 3. Continue to work in cooperation with California Department of Fish and 

Game for the proper maintenance of the wildlife guzzlers.
72

- NA # 4. Maintain or increase wilderness boundary signing. 

Information and Interpretation Education

- NA # 5. Maintain the watchable wildlife site on the eastern boundary as a nature 

interpretive area.

Commercial Activities

- NA # 6. No commercial activities will be permitted within the wilderness area, 

except those that enhance wilderness values.

Health and Safety

- NA # 7. The kiosk at the watchable wildlife site will include information on 

desert safety for hikers or equestrian visitors who venture into the wilderness area.
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Gecko Management (GM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Gecko Management Area consists of approximately 

21,225 acres of land managed by BLM. (See Map 9.) Within this management area is 

approximately 673 acres of privately owned land, which will not be managed by BLM. 

The Gecko Management Area has been designated as Class I “Intensive” in this CDCA 

plan amendment. The Gecko Management Area is located immediately east and west of 

Gecko Road. The Gecko Management Area includes Gecko Road, all the adjacent pads 

and campgrounds, and the Osborne Overlook area. This is the most developed 

management area in the ISDRA. Cahuilla Ranger Station is located adjacent to Gecko 

Road just south of Highway 78. The station consists of a visitor area, medical room, 

break room, offices and employee restrooms all housed in a triple wide trailer. There are 

two single wide trailers that are used as housing for the on site EMT and law enforcement 

ranger. There is a storage shed for equipment and vehicles, several cargo containers, and 

a weather station. The entire area is fenced with a portion of the lot designated as a 

helipad. Cahuilla Ranger Station is the focal point of the entire ISDRA operations and is 

a designated location for visitors to seek assistance. 

Along the eastern boundary of the Gecko management area and the western boundary of 

the Glamis Management Area are dunes that are considered by some to be the best OHV 

area in the ISDRA. The area consists of large and steep bowls that can be traversed from 

one to another by crossing over razor back ridges. OHVs can reach high speeds while the 

centrifugal force holds them to the face of the bowl as they drive around the bowl.

There are seven hard packed, BLM constructed, camping areas along Gecko Road. From 

north to south, they are named Cement Flats, Pad 1, Pad 2, Pad 2 1⁄2, Pad 3, Pad 5, and 

Pad 4. This area provides 17 acres for camping. These areas are constructed with a 

geotextile material to provide a hard surface to stage or camp on near the sand. There are 

no other amenities at any of these sites, except at Cement Flats, which has a pit toilet.

There are three asphalt loop campgrounds that extend from Gecko Road. Gecko 

Campground consists of two main loops, totaling 41 acres of camping space. Roadrunner 

Campground is located at the end of Gecko Road and consists of an asphalt loop totaling 

12 acres of camping space. Both of these campgrounds have trash facilities and pit 

toilets. The Keyhole campground is located just north of Roadrunner Campground and 

consists of one asphalt loop totaling one-half acre for camping area with no other 

amenities.

Osborne Overlook is located approximately two miles east of Gecko Road off of 

Highway 78. There is a short access road that leads to a rough hardened surface 

overlook. There is an information kiosk and post and cable fencing surround the edge of 

the surface. There are no other amenities in this area. Camping has historically been 

allowed in this area but recently, the area has been used as the incident command center 

for holiday operations due to its strategic location and available space.
76

One of the historical major OHV activities that occur in this management area is the 

impromptu sand drags that occur adjacent to Pad 1. During the holiday periods crowds 

gather in the late afternoon and early evening to watch OHVs compete against each other. 

During the busiest holidays, the crowds can grow to several thousand visitors. Law 

enforcement has been a major issue at the sand drags. Some of the issues that have 

caused problems are incidents involving alcohol and drugs, OHV safety violations, and a 

mob-like mentality. 

DESIRED CONDITION: The desired condition for the Gecko Management Area is to 

be managed under the rural classification under the ROS. These facilities include roads, 

campgrounds, toilets, trash stations, camping pads, overlooks, information kiosks, 

commercial vending, and a ranger station. A substantially modified natural environment 

characterizes this setting. Resources are modified to enhance specific recreation

activities. Sights and sounds of humans are readily evident and interactions between 

visitors are moderate to high. A considerable number of facilities are designed for use by 

a large number of people. Facilities for intensified motorized use and camping are 

available.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

OHV/Recreation

- GM # 1. Increase the amount of camping pad space by 15 acres (60 campsites) 

on Gecko Road to encourage the current dispersed use within the management 

area to these developed areas.

- GM # 2. Continue the use of volunteer and nonprofit clean-up efforts.

- GM # 3. Develop a pilot reservation program in Roadrunner Campground to test 

the feasibility, visitor satisfaction, and resources needed to manage a reservation 

program. The price structure will be determined by competitive bidding for sites 

or a fee structure based on appraisal. The success of this pilot program and visitor 

satisfaction surveys will determine if the program will cease, continue or expand 

to other areas on Gecko Road or in the Buttercup Management Area. 

Access and Facilities

- GM # 4. Utilize a law enforcement task force for traffic control on Gecko Road 

and at the intersection of Gecko Road and Highway 78 during peak traffic hours.

- GM # 5. Construct fee entry / traffic control area on Gecko Road.

- GM # 6. Develop and construct a ranger station to meet the needs of the public 

and the staff at the current Cahuilla Ranger Station. The ranger station may be 

designed with all other facilities behind the main building and out of view of the 

general public. The station is to include, but not limited to, indoor and outdoor
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interpretive areas, an emergency medical service room, break room, meeting 

room, security lockers, parking area, water well, septic system, storage shed, a 

public water fountain, two public pit toilets, and public picnic tables with shade 

structures.

- GM # 7. Construct an interagency law enforcement facility at the location of the 

current Cahuilla Ranger Station to meet the needs of the staff. This is to include, 

but not limited to a dispatch room, meeting room, break room, office space, 

booking space, interview rooms, intoxilizer room, holding facility, parking area, 

helipad, storage shed, and a security sally port. 

- GM # 8. Construct maintenance shed large enough to accommodate the needs of 

the staff and equipment at the current ranger station.

- GM # 9. Construct a fuel station at the current ranger station for BLM use.

- GM # 10. Consider replacing the current residence trailers with permanent 

housing. These facilities will house one on-site emergency medical service 

person and one on-site law enforcement ranger. The residences will be as 

removed from the government business buildings and from public view as 

feasible.

- GM # 11. Consider removing the current ranger station trailer if it is not 

compatible with the new facilities.

- GM # 12. Consider constructing additional housing and parking facilities for the 

ISDRA staff at the site of the current ranger station.

Information and Interpretation Education

- GM # 13. Install outdoor information and interpretation kiosks and panels at 

Osborne Overlook.

- GM # 14. Install information and interpretive kiosks near the public phones on 

Gecko Road, Gecko Campground, and Roadrunner Campground.

Health and Safety

- GM #15. Work with the Imperial County to have the contracted emergency 

medical service provider increase services in the ISDRA. 

Commercial Activities

- GM # 16. Delineate a vendor area. 
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Glamis Management (GLM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Glamis Management Area is located south of Highway 

78 and west of the railroad near the Glamis Beach Store. The area adjacent to Highway 

78 and the Glamis store is flat, sandy and is a favorite camping spot for thousands of 

dunes enthusiasts. The total size of the management area is 24,041 acres of BLM 

managed land. Approximately 2000 acres are suitable for camping. (See Map 10.) 

Within this management area is approximately 117 acres of privately owned land and 

approximately 259 acres of State owned land, which will not be managed by BLM. The 

Glamis Management Area has been designated as Class M “Moderate” in this CDCA 

plan amendment. The Wall Hill #6 is included in this management area. This area is used 

for camping, OHVs, and commercial vending. It also contains rights of way use (see 

Appendix 2). The flats area offers a unique recreational experience for the dunes 

enthusiast. The variety of recreational opportunities for the general public makes the 

Glamis Management Area very important to the ISDRA culture. 

Glamis has become the main area for visitors to purchase goods and services from 

vendors and local private businesses. The permitted vendors have historically used a 

specific area and pattern to setup for sales. This area has become known as “Vendor 

Row” or “The Mall”. Approximately 60 vendors set up and sell products and services 

that meet the needs of the OHV enthusiasts. During peak periods, this area can become 

thick with dust and experience intensive OHV traffic.

Camping in this management area takes place in the natural flat hard-surface pockets and 

up to the fringes of the dunes. Camping occurs in large groups that form “wagon circles” 

of recreational vehicles that creates an atmosphere for visiting with friends. 

The areas east of the Glamis Store has been historically used as a camping area for access 

to the ISDRA. This area was not included into the fee boundary and visitation has 

increased since the implementation of the fee demonstration program in 1997. Visitors 

also prefer this area to escape the dust generated from the high visitation in other areas, 

the accessibility to local businesses, and the open space for young OHV enthusiasts that 

is away from the crowds.

Competition Hill 

Competition Hill offers a unique challenge to BLM staff. The challenge is due to the 

terrain, high visitation at the base of the area, and the perception of lawlessness that 

derives from a mob-like mentality. Visitors arrive at the base of the hill on OHVs, Sports 

Utility Vehicles (SUVs), and pick-up trucks. This phenomenon occurs on the busy 

holidays on Friday and Saturday nights. Watching how equipment and drivers perform 

as the vehicles race up and down the hill provides entertainment. On lookers enjoy 

packed in refreshments as they watch the activity on the hill. Illegal activities occurring 

at the base of Competition Hill are: assaults, under age drinking, illegal drug use, minors
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in possession of alcohol, burning of hazardous materials, un-permitted events (such as 

rave type parties), public nudity and public sex acts. 

These activities have created a hostile environment for the law abiding dunes enthusiast, 

as well as BLM staff that provide services to recreational visitors. Over the past years 

BLM staff have entered the base of Competition Hill and been surrounded and out 

numbered by the visitors. Currently, BLM staff will not enter the area to provide law 

enforcement or emergency medical service at night without significant backup to ensure 

their own safety. At night many veteran visitors stay away from Competition Hill for 

their own safety.

Oldsmobile Hill

Oldsmobile Hill area reaches peak visitation on holiday weekends during mid-day 

through late afternoon. The area becomes busy with activity, with row after row of 

OHVs, SUVs, and pick up trucks. Enjoyment is derived by watching how equipment can 

perform as it races up the hill. The onlookers at the bottom of the hill enjoy refreshments

they have packed in and watch the parade of vehicles that pass by. Oldsmobile Hill has a 

long history of uses dating back to the early 1960’s.

DESIRED CONDITION: The desired condition of the Glamis Management Area is to 

be managed under the roaded natural classification of the ROS spectrum. A 

predominantly natural appearing environment characterizes the roaded natural 

classification. Facilities are designed and constructed to accommodate conventional 

motorized use. Moderate sights and sounds of humans exist and interaction between 

users may be low to moderate, but with evidence of other users prevalent. Resource 

modification is evident, but in harmony with the natural environment. Roaded natural 

settings may support OHV use. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Access and Facilities

- GLM # 1. Construct pit toilets in the Glamis Flats and within 100 feet of the road 

between washes 4 – 6 to meet the sanitary needs of the visitors.

- GLM # 2. Allow camping in the area east of Glamis and the railroad tracks. This 

area is already highly impacted from mining and recreational use.

Health and Safety

- GLM # 3. Grade the wash road regularly. 

Commercial Activities

- GLM # 4. Delineate a vendor area. 
84

Adaptive Management (AM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Adaptive Management Area contains approximately 

33,289 acres of BLM managed land. (See Map 11.) Within this management area is 

approximately 663 acres of privately owned land, which will not be managed by BLM. 

The Adaptive Management Area has been designated as Class L “Limited” in this CDCA 

plan amendment. The adaptive management area is used mainly for OHV activities, 

although there is also rights of way use (see Appendix 2). It has the most widely diverse 

habitat in the ISDRA. Historic recreational use of the area is low to moderate and it 

provides opportunities for semi-primitive motorized recreation opportunities and 

experiences. Total visitation is not known, however, anecdotal information suggests that 

visitor use is low compared to the remainder of the ISDRA. Visitors come in small 

groups of vehicles and take part in OHV recreation throughout the ISDRA, sand dune hill 

climbing, and navigation challenges. OHV fuel capacity limits the normal length of stay 

for these groups. The experience is more nature based with small group or families 

exploring the area rather than large group socialization events or OHV power and speed 

challenges. 

DESIRED CONDITION: The Adaptive Management Area will be managed in a 

manner that provides recreational opportunities while allowing for the conservation of 

habitat and plants and species of concern. Its ROS classification is semi-primitive 

motorized.

This management area will be managed using principles of adaptive management. 

Adaptive management is a process of implementing policy decisions as scientifically 

driven management experiments that test predictions and assumptions in management 

plans, using the resulting information to improve the plans. It is a mechanism for 

integrating scientific knowledge and experience for the purpose of understanding and 

managing natural systems such as the ISDRA ecosystem. 

This process allows for the continuous improvement of management policies and 

practices based on previous outcomes of operational programs. Its most effective form, 

“active” adaptive management, employs management programs that are designed to 

experimentally compare selected policies or practices, by evaluating alternative 

hypotheses about the system being managed (Nyberg, 1998). Adaptive management is a 

way for managers to proceed responsibly in the face of multiple uncertainties. A simple, 

effective, six-step process for the ISDRA adaptive management program has been used in 

developing management actions in this RAMP.

- Problem assessment: This involves defining the scope of the management problem 

as developed through evaluation of issues, concerns, opportunities, desired future 

conditions, and identification of additional data needs.

- Design: This involves the design of management actions to further understand and 

quantify impacts, thresholds, visitor supply, and levels of acceptable change. This 

step involves designing a management plan / monitoring program that will provide 
85

reliable feedback about the effectiveness of planned actions to meet management 

objectives. This step should yield information to fill the gaps in understanding (e.g., 

effects of OHV use on Pierson’s milk-vetch) identified during problem assessment.

- Implementation: Management actions are implemented to generate knowledge for 

continuing analysis and evaluation.

- Monitoring: In this step, key response indicators are monitored to determine the 

effectiveness of the management actions.

- Evaluation: This involves an analysis of the management outcome, in light of 

original management objectives.

- Adjustment: This is a reassessment of the challenges and an adjustment of 

management objectives and planned actions, in light of new data developed.

Habitat conservation will be achieved through the classification of a limited access 

interior dune adaptive management area, characterized by contiguous east-west sensitive 

species habitat. The adaptive use area would be accessed via permit. Visitor supply 

ranges would be established to provide a high quality day-use semi-primitive motorized 

recreation opportunity for visitors, with special chances for small groups of family and 

friends to enjoy a sense of remoteness and tranquility, the sights and sounds of nature, to 

learn about sand dune ecology, to explore, to practice good stewardship, and feel inspired 

by the awe of the ISDRA. This area provides nature-based opportunities where the focus 

is on experiencing the natural resource and not the power, speed, or other attributes of the 

motorized conveyance. Periodic modification to the visitor supply range would be 

determined through professional analysis resulting from data and information compiled 

during ongoing resource and visitor satisfaction surveys and monitoring programs.

The management objective in the Adaptive Management Area is to provide for high 

quality, unique world-class day-use semi-primitive motorized recreation opportunity for 

ATV, motorcycle, truck, dune buggy and other OHV activities. The management 

objective is also to provide an area for non-vehicular recreational activities such as 

hiking, backpacking, photography, wildlife viewing, etc. The recreation visitor supply 

for the Adaptive Management Area would be 75 groups of no more than 7 vehicles per 

group (no more than 525 vehicles total) per day during the visitation season. Hikers or 

visitors seeking other forms of non-vehicular access in the Adaptive Management area 

must obtain a permit, but they will not be counted as a part of the 525 OHV permitted 

users. 

The Adaptive Management Area would be open from dawn to dusk during October 15 to 

March 31 of each year. This seasonal use is to allow the conservation of natural 

resources such as lizards that live in the area. This visitor supply was developed to 

protect the natural resources in the Adaptive Management Area and also to allow a semiprimitive motorized recreation opportunity. During the first year, visitor data would be 

collected along with biological data and adjustments to the number of visitors would be 

made accordingly on a periodic basis.

Access to the Adaptive Management Area would be by permit only, except for 

administrative and law enforcement purposes. In order to obtain a permit, the driver of 
86

each vehicle must complete a resource conservation program. Each individual walking 

into the Adaptive Management Area will be required to complete the resource 

conservation program. The program will be modified to meet the special needs of users 

such as children and handicapped individuals, as requested. For example, the program 

material may be read to some individuals. When requesting a permit, each vehicle and 

driver must be identified. One permit would be valid for one group of up to 7 vehicles for 

a period of up to seven days. A day use period is defined as a period from sunrise to 

sunset. Reservations and/or multiple reservations could be made in advance. For the first 

year all permits would be available on site in order to assess visitor numbers and patterns. 

In future years, a maximum of 70% of all permits would be issued by reservation and 

30% would be issued in person at the Cahuilla Ranger Station. Should reservations not 

meet the 70% maximum, the balance of permits will be made available at the Cahuilla 

Ranger Station. Reservations may be made for one to seven days based on availability. 

Permittees making reservations could receive all materials, including a permit, through 

the mail. A permit would not be authorized until all signatures have been signed. Each 

permit issued would include printed environmental education material including 

information on sensitive plant and animal species, other sensitive resources, safety 

materials, and general stipulations for use of the area. A permit holder must sign that 

he/she has read and understands the printed material and stipulations. Each vehicle 

within a group that is issued a permit would be provided a permit flag to be placed 

directly under the vehicle’s existing safety flag. The permit flag is easily identifiable by 

BLM from the ground and air. Vehicles within the Adaptive Management Area without 

a permit and BLM issued safety flag would be issued a citation for being in the area 

without authorization. Permit holders would be allowed to access the Adaptive 

Management Area through the boundary, except not through the microphyll woodlands 

on the east side of the management area. BLM will prepare a supplemental rule for the 

enforcement of the permit process in the Adaptive Management Area. 

To measure the success of the Adaptive Management Area, BLM will establish a 

biological monitoring program. BLM will establish a visitor satisfaction and demand 

survey to determine if visitor satisfaction and demand are being met within the boundary 

area. No facilities will be allowed in the Adaptive Management Area. Interpretive and 

informational signs may be allowed in conformance with the objectives of the Adaptive 

Management Area. No commercial services and/or competitive events will be allowed in 

the Adaptive Management Area. 
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MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Access and Facilities 

- AM # 1. Develop, implement, monitor, revise as necessary, sign, and enforce the 

permit program.

Information and Interpretation Education

- AM # 2. Develop the educational program to accompany the permit program for 

motorized vehicles in 2003.

- AM # 3 Develop the educational program to accompany the permit program for 

non motorized recreational enthusiasts in 2004.
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Ogilby Management (OM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Ogilby Management Area consists of approximately 

21,710 acres managed by BLM. (See Map 12.) Within this management area is 

approximately 1,567 acres of privately owned land, which will not be managed by BLM. 

This area is used for camping, OHVs and rights of way (see Appendix 2). It is located in 

the southeast corner of the ISDRA just north of Interstate 8. It is bordered on the North 

by Pilot Knob Mesa, on the south by Interstate 8, on the East by the Ogilby and Ted Kipf 

Roads, and on the west by Patton Valley. The Ogilby Management Area has been 

designated Multiple-use Class M “Moderate” in this CDCA plan amendment. The Ogilby 

Management Area is a popular OHV area for families and groups that seek a roaded 

natural recreational opportunity, and camping at a site away from the intensively used 

areas of the ISDRA.

OHV recreational use within the management area is light to intense. Camping in the 

Olgilby Management Area activity during weekdays is minimal, with many weekdays 

during the use season (October-April) with negligible OHV or other recreational use 

visitation. The Ogilby Camp Area near the Microwave Relay Station is the most 

important camping area within the management area. This primitive camp is a popular 

site utilized by families and groups that prefer camping in an area that receive low to 

moderate OHV recreational activity. For the past 20 years, habitat protection, cultural 

resource protection and resource conservation has been the management focus. Emphasis 

has been placed on protection of sensitive natural, cultural, scenic, ecological resources, 

with emphasis on protection of habitat for threatened and sensitive species.

Desired Condition: The desired condition for the Ogilby Management Area is to allow 

for OHV recreation managed under the roaded natural classification of the ROS 

spectrum. A predominantly natural appearing environment characterizes the roaded 

natural classification. Facilities are designed and constructed to accommodate 

conventional motorized use. Moderate sights and sounds of humans exist and interaction 

between users may be low to moderate, but with evidence of other users prevalent. 

Resource modification is evident, but in harmony with the natural environment. Roaded 

natural settings support OHV use.

Emphasis will be placed on protection of natural, cultural, scenic, and ecological 

resources, including threatened and endangered species. The management focus will be 

to continue to allow for OHV recreational opportunities for families and other groups that 

seek an area within the ISDRA that will offer low to intense concentration of OHV 

recreation activity. In addition, management will give emphasis and place high priority 

on protection of natural and cultural resources within the management area. Minimal 

restrictions will be placed on the groups that recreate within the management area. There 

will be no recreational facilities or other developments planned within the management 

area. 
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Visitors will be encouraged to practice good stewardship, responsible use of off-highway 

vehicles, and low-impact principles for all recreational activities. Habitat conservation 

and resource protection will be achieved through an aggressive outreach program that 

will increase the public’s knowledge of the sensitive natural and cultural resources found 

within the management area. Outreach will also focus on increasing the public’s 

knowledge and understanding of land use and other management issues within the 

ISDRA, especially protection of threatened and sensitive plants and animal species. 

Vehicle access into the management area is via the Ogilby Road and Ted Kipf Road and 

the Microwave Relay Station access road. There will be no road improvements planned 

that will increase two-wheel drive motorized vehicle access into the management area. 

Visitor supply will be encouraged to provide for low concentrations of OHV use to retain 

the semi-primitive characteristics of the area. Annual monitoring of the site will be 

conducted to ensure that the area’s semi-primitive characteristics are not being 

compromised. In addition, annual visitation surveys will be conducted to assess the 

visitor satisfaction with the management of the area. Annual resource monitoring and 

other studies will be conducted to ensure the area’s sensitive natural, scenic, ecological 

and cultural resource values are protected.

Developed campgrounds and other recreational facilities will not be constructed within 

the management area. Special Recreation Permits will not be issued or authorized within 

the management area. Commercial events will not be authorized, except photography or 

commercial filming permits within the management area. Competitive OHV events or 

other competitive events will not be authorized within the management area. Camping 

will be authorized for up to 14 days. Long-term camping within the management area 

will be prohibited 

MANAGEMENT ACTION: none anticipated, other than the ISDRA –Wide actions.
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Dune Buggy Flats Management (DM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Dune Buggy Flats Management Area is located north 

of Interstate 8 along the western border of the planning area. This area contains 

approximately 16,658 acres of land managed by BLM. (See Map 13.) Within this 

management area is approximately 37 acres of privately owned land, which will not be 

managed by BLM. The Dune Buggy Flats Management Area has been designated 

Multiple-use Class M “Moderate” in this CDCA plan amendment. This area is used for 

camping, OHVs, commercial vending and rights of way (see Appendix 2). The Dune 

Buggy Flats area provides open dispersed camping in a hard packed flat area. The main 

area is bordered on two sides by irrigation canals. This area has seen an increased level 

of visitation and activity since the implementation of the fee program. This area is 

accessed from the Gordon’s Well exit off of Interstate 8. The majority of the camping 

occurs east of the New Coachella Canal. The area west of the canal and within the Area 

of Critical Environmental Concern was closed to camping in 2001 as mitigation for the 

construction of the Herman Schneider Memorial Bridge. This bridge created a safe and 

legal route of travel for OHVs between the Buttercup and Dune Buggy Flats 

Management Areas. Within the last five years a new private business has been 

established adjacent to and west of the Area of Critical Environmental Concern. This 

business, “Pair-A-Dice”, provides miscellaneous OHV parts and an indoor and outdoor 

restaurant. Since its establishment it has drawn large crowds of patrons from the OHV 

community. 

DESIRED CONDITION: The desired condition of the Dune Buggy Flats Management 

Area is for it to be managed under the roaded natural classification of the ROS spectrum. 

A predominantly natural appearing environment characterizes the roaded natural 

classification. Facilities are designed and constructed to accommodate conventional 

motorized use. Moderate sights and sounds of humans exist and interaction between 

users may be low to moderate, but with evidence of other users prevalent. Resource 

modification is evident, but in harmony with the natural environment. Roaded natural 

settings support OHV use.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Access and Facilities

- DM # 1. Construct pit toilets in the Dune Buggy Flats Management Area to meet 

the sanitary needs of the visitors.

Health and Safety

- DM # 2. Grade the entrance road regularly. 

Commercial Activities

- DM # 3. Delineate a vendor area. 
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Buttercup Management (BM) Area

EXISTING CONDITION: The Buttercup Management Area is located south of 

Interstate 8 to the US / Mexico Border. This area contains approximately 7,842 acres. 

(See Map 14.) The Buttercup Management Area has been designated Multiple-use Class 

I “Intensive” in this CDCA plan amendment. This area is used for camping, OHVs, site 

seeing, commercial vending, education, filming and rights of way. Camping occurs 

along many points of Greys Well Road, the main access road that runs parallel to 

Interstate 8. The main camping areas in this management area are the Keyhole, near the 

Plank Road, Midway Campground, and Greys Well. Since the completion of the Herman 

Schneider Memorial Bridge, camping has started to increase near the west end of Greys 

Well Road. All of the above sites have pit toilets, trash dumpsters, and hard packed

camping space for camping and OHV access. There is an information kiosk, phone, and 

fee machines in the campground area near the intersection of Greys Well Road and the 

road to the keyhole.

There are many U.S. - Mexico border issues in this management area. The area is 

patrolled by the U.S. Border Patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some of the 

illegal activity entails illegal border crossings and smuggling of goods and contraband.

The major OHV destination point in this management area is Buttercup Valley 

Competition Hill. This area is easily accessible by a sand road from the Keyhole area 

that leads to hard surface valley floor. On the north end of the valley, OHV enthusiasts 

use the steep leeward side of the dune for challenge and competition for man and 

machine. Crowds often gather during the afternoon and increase in size during the night.

The Plank Road Historical Site lies just south of Greys Well Road and approximately 

midway between the ends of the road. There is a portion of the road that is protected with 

fencing and there are several interpretive panels. The Plank Road is a destination site for 

tourists and passing motorists. Two other sites have been identified in Buttercup Valley 

but neither was determined to be eligible to be registered on the National Register of 

Historic Places. A recent cultural resource Class III inventory in the western half of the 

valley suggests there is little potential for historic properties in that area. There is, 

however, potential for significant resources at two other areas.

This area has substantial visual and audible impacts from development. The Interstate 8 

freeway area has been designated as a utility corridor. As such, there have been several 

linear developments along this route. Some of these developments include high-tension 

power lines, telephone poles, border fencing along the freeway, irrigation canals, towers, 

roads and the freeway.

DESIRED CONDITION: The desired condition for the Buttercup Management Area is 

to be managed under the rural classification under the ROS. These facilities include 

roads, campgrounds, toilets, trash stations, camping pads, overlooks, information kiosks, 

commercial vending, interpretive area, and a ranger station. A substantially modified 
98

natural environment characterizes this setting. Resources are modified to enhance 

specific recreation activities. Sights and sounds of humans are readily evident and 

interactions between visitors are moderate to high. A considerable number of facilities 

are designed for use by a large number of people. Facilities for intensified motorized use 

and camping are available. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

OHV/Recreation

- BM # 1. Designate reserved campsites if deemed feasible by the pilot program in 

the Gecko Management Area.

Access and Facilities

- BM # 2. Construct a semi- permanent ranger station to meet the needs of the 

public and the staff in the Buttercup Management Area at the site of the current 

holiday station trailer. The station is to include, but not limited to, an emergency 

medical service room, toilets, break room, security lockers, water well, parking 

area, septic system, and storage area.

- BM # 3. Construct a separate semi-permanent interagency law enforcement 

facility adjacent to the ranger station to meet the needs of the staff. This is to 

include, but not limited to office space, booking space, interview rooms, 

intoxilizer room, holding facility, parking area, helipad, and a storage area.

Information and Interpretation Education

- BM # 4. Designate an interpretive area to educate the public about sensitive 

plants and other resource values. This interpretive area could be located adjacent 

to Greys Well Road. The interpretive area is expected to be around 5 acres in 

size. OHV use and camping will be available immediately outside and adjacent to 

the interpretive area. This area will include a hiking trail. There will be a parking 

area and facilities associated with this site as listed in BM # 8. The parking area 

will contain an informational an interpretive kiosk.

- BM # 5. Repair or replace the fencing around the plank road. Consider using 

fencing similar to that used by the Border Patrol. This type of fencing is strong 

enough to endure multiple impacts by vehicles dashing across the border and will 

protect the historic values of this site.

- BM # 6. Repair and update all plank road exhibits to meet or exceed universal 

design and comply with all disability regulations and guidelines.

- BM # 7. Work cooperatively with the Border Patrol on a brochure that interprets 

the dangers of the border area and illegal border crossings on OHVs.
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Commercial Activities

- BM # 8. Designate a bus parking area on Greys Well Road. This parking area 

will be built in conjunction with the interpretive area listed in BM # 4. The 

facility will have two pit toilets, and picnic tables with shade ramadas.

- BM # 9. Delineate a vendor area. 
102

Planning Area, Interface Area of ISDRA, WECO and NECO 

(Outside ISDRA recreational boundary but within the planning area boundary)

EXISTING CONDITION: The planning area provides a one-mile wide perimeter 

around the ISDRA boundary to the west, east and north. (The area to the south of the 

ISDRA is not included in the planning area since the boundary of the ISDRA ends at the 

Mexico / United States international boundary. Any planning area established to the 

south of ISDRA would be located in Mexico.) (See Map 15.) The planning area is an 

area where three BLM management plans verge. The three management planning areas 

are the ISDRA, the Western Colorado Desert (WECO) and the North Eastern Colorado 

Desert (NECO). The purpose of this planning area is to reduce the impacts of activities 

related to the ISDRA on land that is outside of the ISDRA boundary. Currently BLM 

manages 48,312 acres within this planning area. Within this area are approximately 

9,136 acres of privately owned land and approximately 1,758 acres of military owned 

land, which will not be managed by BLM. Lands within this planning area are currently 

managed as limited access or closed. The area encompasses sand and gravel mining, 

military bombing ranges, private lands, habitat areas for the desert tortoise and 

management areas for the flat-tailed horned lizard. It is used for OHVs, camping, 

hunting, rights of way (see Appendix 2), and military exercises.

In the area south of the road to Boardmanville, a privately owned store, and east of the 

railroad tracks there is relatively low use. The use that does occur is limited to the 

existing roads and trails.

The area west of the Dune Buggy Flats, and within the designated Area of Critical 

Environmental Concern was closed to camping in 2001 as mitigation for the construction 

of the Herman Schneider Memorial Bridge. An additional area, to the north of this 

camping closure is an additional camping closure. These closures are in support of the 

flat tailed horned lizard strategy. These areas are still open for limited use, which 

requires vehicular travel that is on open routes. The routes in these areas are used for 

accessing the bridge and Pair-A-Dice, a privately owned store.

DESIRED CONDITION: The desire for this area is to reduce the impacts from the 

recreational use of the ISDRA on nearby property. This area on the west side of the 

ISDRA would be managed under the WECO plan. The area to the east would be 

managed under the NECO plan. According to the decision records for WECO and 

NECO, motorized OHV recreation would be limited to designated roads and trails. No 

cross-country travel would be allowed anywhere within this area. No commercial or 

competitive activities related to OHV use and camping would be allowed anywhere in the 

management area, although existing commercial activities such as mining would 

continue. Informational and interpretive signing would be allowed to meet management 

objectives for the area. 

Most of the known cultural resources in the area of the ISDRA are located in the planning 

area. The planning area is also a very likely area to find cultural resources in the future. 
103

Early man used the area around the edge of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Cultural resources 

can be hidden in the layers of sand around the historic lake edge. As the sand shifts these 

resources may be located on the ground surface. Preservation of this area is important 

since it potentially contains unknown cultural resources. There are areas of the shoreline 

near the planning area that are so sensitive for cultural resources that they are managed as 

areas of critical environmental concern.

The planning area contains 21 known prehistoric sites and 7 known prehistoric isolates. 

Prehistoric sites are cultural resource findings of three items or more and are related to 

mankind’s early activities in the area, prior to European contact. These cultural resources 

are often stone tools or remains of habitation areas or temporary dwellings, but can also 

be areas that contain cremation remains. Prehistoric isolates are isolated items that are 

found alone that are related to man’s early activities in the area. They can be items like 

stone tools or pottery.

The planning area contains 13 known historic sites and 9 historic isolates. Historic sites 

are cultural resource findings of three items or more and are related to mankind’s 

activities in the area. Historic sites are at least 50 years old, but can go back to anytime 

after Europeans came to the area. These cultural resources are often debris scatter, 

railroad related, canal related, or related to the military encampment in the area. Historic 

isolates are isolated items that are found alone that are related to man’s early activities in 

the area. Historic isolates are also at least 50 years old, but can go back to anytime after 

Europeans came to the area. Many of the isolated historic finds in this area are related to 

Patton’s 1942 military encampment to prepare the military for the maneuvers in Africa or 

related to the railroad, which was constructed in 1874.

The NECO Plan overlaps the eastern side of the planning area. This is the management 

plan that actually manages the eastern side of the planning area. The NECO Plan 

addresses several issues, including: (1) recovery of the desert tortoise, (2) conservation of 

the variety of other species and habitats, and (3) public access and land uses. The 

microphyll woodlands located on the eastern side of the ISDRA is Class III desert 

tortoise habitat. The decline in the desert tortoise population is attributed primarily to 

disease, and habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation resulting from increased human 

population and urbanization in the desert and arid regions if the southwestern United 

States. To support the NECO Plan, and the desert tortoise recovery, the planning area 

should conserve the habitat of the desert tortoise.

The WECO Plan overlaps the western side of the planning area. This is the management 

plan that actually manages the western side of the planning area. The WECO ROT plan 

provides for a vehicle route network for recreation and other uses and addresses the 

conservation of cultural resources and the use of lands that are flat-tailed horned lizard 

management areas. Human activities have resulted in the conversion of approximately 

34 percent of the historic habitat of the flat-tailed horned lizard. The decline in the flattailed horned lizard population is attributed primarily to impacts from development of 

utility lines, roads, geothermal development, sand and gravel mining, OHV use, waste 

disposal sites, military activities, pesticide use, and Border Patrol activities. The impacts 
104

to the flat-tailed horned lizard due to vehicle use can be significant. Unlike many 

species, the flat-tailed horned lizard will freeze when a threat is perceived. 

Unfortunately, this results in the lizard freezing in place, rather than running away, when 

a vehicle is in the area. This can result in the lizard being crushed. To support the 

WECO ROT plan and to conserve the flat-tailed horned lizard and its habitat, the ISDRA 

plan should strictly support travel on designated roads, no off road travel and no camping 

in the areas previously closed to camping in the planning area.

Current Department of Defense activities within the planning area include flights to and 

from military training areas on the east of the ISDRA. Military activities also include 

several target areas. BLM and the Navy have developed a cooperative agreement for 

management of public lands in range safety zones surrounding Navy Targets 68 and 95 

on the East Mesa. An amendment to the cooperative agreement closes East Mesa lands 

between Target 68 and the old Coachella Canal to OHV use. It is important to remember 

that the planning area actually includes military owned property, which is managed by 

the military. This RAMP can not and will not change the military use of their property, 

but rather supports their use by ensuring that the RAMP is consistent with the military’s 

current land uses. 

The desired condition for the planning area is to provide for a limited network of vehicle 

routes and conserve the natural and cultural resources in the planning area. Since this 

area is a limited use area by both NECO and WECO: motorized recreation use is limited 

to designated roads. The NECO and WECO plans allow some camping along roads in 

some areas, ranging from no camping in areas of sensitivity to within 300 feet in areas of 

lesser concern. Since the vast majority of the roads in the planning area do not allow for 

camping due to their soil type (soft sand), the actual available camping along these roads 

is very limited. (One area outside the ISDRA that was previously utilized by ISDRA 

enthusiasts for camping has been included in the ISDRA. This is the 1200-acre gravel pit 

area on the eastern side of the ISDRA. It will now be managed under the Glamis 

Management Area. This decision was made to allow the recreational enthusiasts at 

ISDRA to enjoy the camping in this area. Because this area is already heavily impacted 

from the past mining, the potential impacts on natural and cultural resources are not 

significant for this area.) 

To facilitate obtaining the desired condition for this area, specifically to conserve the flattailed horned lizard and its habitat, to conserve the desert tortoise and its habitat, to 

conserve the known cultural resources, and prevent damage to the unknown cultural 

resources, to support safe land use near an active booming range, and to remain 

consistent with NECO and WECO route of travel designations, this area will allow 

camping within 50 feet of the centerline of an open designated route in lizard 

management areas, unless the area was previously closed to camping , and within 300 

feet of the centerline of an open designated route in non-lizard management areas. 

(Please see the WECO and NECO decision records for more information.) Also to 

facilitate obtaining the desired condition for this area, travel is limited to on-route travel. 

Off route travel is not allowed. This area is an OHV limited area, which is different than 

ISDRA, which is an OHV open area.
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MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Information and Interpretation Education

− PA# 1. Provide education about the camping status and vehicle use of roads 

through informational brochures, signs and enforcement actions.

Health & Safety

- PA # 2. Strictly enforce the camping rules, limited use classification and routes of 

travel restrictions.
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Chapter IV

Implementation Schedule

This chapter presents the management actions identified in chapter 3 into a table format 

schedule. Each management action in chapter 3 is included in Tables 4-1 through 4-10. 

These tables include a funding source for the management action, a schedule for the 

management action and an estimated cost for the management action.
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ISDRA Wide Management Actions

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Mammoth Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the North Algodones Dunes Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Gecko Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Glamis Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Adaptive Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Ogilby Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Dune Buggy Flats Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Buttercup Management Area

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ISDRA Management Actions for the Planning Area

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1

Appendix 1

Monitoring/Study Plan Appendix 1

 

Appendix 1
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 3

Special Status Plant Monitoring and Management................................................................................ 3

Peirson’s Milk-vetch ........................................................................................................................... 3

Figure 1. Schematic of Milk-vetch Monitoring Plan .......................................... ............... .4

Peirson’s Milk-vetch Monitoring Surveys .............................................................................. 5

Ground Moisture/Precipitation Monitoring............................................................................. 8

OHV Use Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 8

Calibration Studies: OHV Use and Rainfall........................................................................... 9

Effects of OHV Use Studies

Correlative Study ..................................................................................................... 9

Experimental Study 1............................................................................................. 11

Experimental Study 2............................................................................................. 12

Peirson’s Milk-vetch Biological Studies............................................................................... 12

Development of Milk-vetch Models..................................................................................... 12

Management Options........................................................................................................... 13

Adaptive Management......................................................................................................... 13

Monitoring/Study Implementation Schedule and Cost .......................................................... 15

Algodones Dunes Sunflower Monitoring ........................................................................................... 16

Sand Food Monitoring....................................................................................................................... 16

Psammophytic Vegetation Monitoring............................................................................................... 17

Desert Microphyll Woodland Monitoring .......................................................................................... 17

Vegetation........................................................................................................................... 17

Bird Populations.................................................................................................................. 17

Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard................................................................................................... 17

Flat-tailed Horned Lizard................................................................................................................... 19

OHV Use Monitoring........................................................................................................................ 20

Visitor Use Monitoring...................................................................................................................... 21

Weather Stations 21

Additional Funding ........................................................................................................................... 22

Literature Cited 23
3

Introduction

This appendix provides the methodology that will be used to monitor species and habitats 

of concern in the ISDRA. Through research, monitoring, and analysis of the monitoring 

data, BLM will determine the impacts to species and habitats of concern due to 

recreational use of the ISDRA, and use this information to make management changes, if 

necessary. Management of recreational use throughout the dunes, especially in the 

adaptive management area (AMA), will be evaluated periodically in light of the results of 

this research and monitoring and revised as needed. The monitoring information will be 

used to make annual changes in the number of permits that will be issued for use of the 

AMA and to determine whether and when the management plan for the ISDRA needs to 

be amended. 

This monitoring/study plan is a dynamic document. Based on periodic reviews of the 

quality of the data collected and the usefulness of the data for making management 

decisions, it will be amended as necessary in order to ensure that the most important 

information is available to the manager for decision-making.

Special Status Plant Monitoring And Management

The Algodones Dunes support numerous dune-endemic plants. Of special interest in 

terms of conservation are species whose distribution is restricted to the Algodones Dunes 

or whose status indicates that special management is necessary to ensure the ongoing 

persistence of the species. Three dune-endemic plants will be the target species of an 

intensive monitoring effort in the Algodones Dunes: 

- Peirson’s milk-vetch - Astragalus magdalenae var. peirsonii (ASMAP)?

- Algodones Dunes sunflower - Helianthus niveus ssp. tephrodes (HENIT)?

- Sand food - Pholisma sonorae (PHSO)

Peirson’s milk-vetch will receive the highest level of attention, since this species was 

federally listed as threatened primarily due to threats posed by OHV activity in the 

Algodones Dunes. The monitoring and research pertaining to ASMAP will provide 

information that may be useful in managing all target plant and animal species in the 

dunes. 

Peirson’s Milk-vetch (ASMAP)

A flow chart of the general management scheme that will be used to adaptively manage 

the ISDRA to protect Peirson’s milkvetch while providing the opportunity for recreation 

activities is provided as Figure 1.
4

Figure 1. Schematic of Peirson’s milk-vetch monitoring and management plan.

Management Areas (Oval 1). The ISDRA will be managed in 9 units, 7 of which (listed 

below) support the target special status plants. This is the basis on which management 

will be applied. Each Management Area will be subject to an initial management option, 

which will be subject to change based on the status of milk-vetch in that unit and the 

results of studies. 1

Management Area Initial Management Option

Mammoth Wash Open to OHV use

North Algodones Wilderness Closed to OHV use

Gecko Open

Glamis Open

Adaptive Management Area (AMA) Open to 525 riders/day

Ogilby Open

Buttercup Open

Surveys and Monitoring (Box 2). The monitoring surveys will illustrate the “state” of 

system variables including ASMAP abundance and distribution, ground moisture/ 

precipitation, and OHV use. These three state variables will be analyzed to test 

predictions based on management options that are currently being implemented and to 

 

1 Changes to the Adaptive Management Area will be made annually (after an initial period of sampling—

see text), as necessary, through adjustments in the number of permits issued. If changes in OHV use and/or 

distribution are necessary in the other management areas, these would be made through the plan 

amendment process in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Surveys and Monitoring

Milk-vetch Number

OHV Use Index 

Precipitation/Moisture

Calibration studies

-OHV

-Rainfall

Management 

options i

Effects of OHV 

studies

Milk-vetch biology studies

Management 

Areas i=1 to 7

 1

2

3

4

5

1

Development of milk-vetch models 6
5

provide information on which management option should be chosen in the future. These 

surveys will allow a statistical inference to be made to each management area. The initial 

prediction, based on BLM’s understanding of current milk-vetch distribution and 

abundance, is that milk-vetch abundance and distribution in each management area will 

not change between years (that have comparable levels of rainfall above or equal to the 

long-term mean) given the proposed management options (see Box 1). 

ASMAP Surveys

For the first four years of monitoring plan implementation, annual estimates of density 

and population size will be made in each of the seven management areas that support 

ASMAP. These estimates can also be combined into a single estimate for the entire 

ISDRA using the appropriate formula for stratified random sampling. Milk-vetch 

sampling will be conducted in the spring of each year, beginning at the time most 

ASMAP individuals are in flower. Based on monitoring between 1998 and 2002, this 

period begins around the last week of March. 

Following the collection of four years of density estimates, the frequency of monitoring 

may be reduced to correspond to years in which the precipitation that occurs between 

July and November is sufficient to ensure precipitation levels that meet or exceed the 

long-term mean (see ground-moisture/precipitation section below) of precipitation levels 

between July and March. The reason for reducing the frequency of monitoring to goodrainfall years is that the abundance of ASMAP in any spring is highly correlated with the 

amount of rainfall in the growing season immediately preceding that spring (Willoughby 

2001; Willoughby, unpublished data). Between wetter years, the milk-vetch population 

declines as plants die and are not replaced due to lack of germination. Monitoring during 

poor rainfall years could result in a lower encounter rate for ASMAP plants that is not 

reflective of the species’ status. Monitoring during poor rainfall years could, however,

provide information concerning the persistence of adult plants and the relative 

importance of these plants to seed bank contributions. 

Sampling Objectives: Although all 3 target plant species will be sampled, the following 

sampling objectives are based on ASMAP. It is anticipated that similar precisions will 

also be obtained for the other 2 species (Algodones Dunes sunflower and sandfood). 

There are two sampling objectives, one for the yearly estimates and one for change 

detection. For the yearly estimates, sampling will be designed to achieve estimates that 

are within 30% of the true total population size at the 95% confidence level for each of 

these management areas. For change detection, the sampling objective is to detect a 

30% change between two average-to-above-average rainfall years with a statistical power 

of 90% and a false-change (Type I) error rate of 10%. 

Sampling methodology. The highly clumped nature of ASMAP makes the use of belt 

transects (long, narrow quadrats) mandatory in order to achieve reasonably precise 

estimates (Elzinga et al. 1998 and 2001). Pilot sampling was conducted on ASMAP and 

HENIT in 2001 and on ASMAP, HENIT and PHSO in 2002 using belt transects run due 

west-east across the dunes. The belts ranged from 5.8 km to 15.9 km long depending on 
6

the extent of the dunes crossed by each transect. In 2001 the number of plants of each 

species was recorded separately in 1m wide belts on each side of the transects, so that 

separate coefficients of variation could be calculated for both 1m and 2m wide belts. 

Coefficients of variation (CVs) were unacceptably high for both belt widths, and samples 

of 34 belts yielded imprecise estimates of population size (Table 1 shows the CVs and 

precisions for ASMAP for different belt widths). Accordingly, in 2002 pilot sampling 

was expanded to add belt widths of 5m and 10m. The 2002 sampling included PHSO in 

addition to ASMAP and HENIT. In 2002 the number of plants of each species was 

recorded separately in 1m, 2m, 5m, and 10m wide belts on one side of each of the 

transects, so that separate coefficients of variation could be calculated for belts of all 4 

widths. As expected, CVs progressively decreased and precision progressively improved 

as the belt widths were increased, but even the 10m belt width still resulted in a rather 

high CV, and a sample of 34 belt transects resulted in a population estimate for ASMAP 

of +/- 62%. These pilot data indicate that even wider belt widths should be used if 

practical to reduce the CV even further and minimize the number of sampling units that 

will be needed to achieve sampling objectives. 

One generally strives for a sampling design that results in a CV of less than 1.0, but 

because of the very scattered nature of its occurrences this may not be a practical goal for 

ASMAP. It is important to note, however, that these pilot data were collected using belts 

oriented with their long sides in a west to east direction (they were oriented in this 

direction because the pilot data were collected ancillary to a different monitoring study 

that began in 1998). Belt transects are most efficient when they are oriented to follow a 

gradient that is known to be related to the attribute being sampled. Both ASMAP and 

HENIT occur in bowls at the bottom of SE facing slipfaces and on the gentle NW-facing 

slopes that run SE from the bowls (Phillips et al. 2001 and 2002; personal observations). 

The two species gradually disappear as the NW-facing slopes approach sand ridges. 

Thus, the plant species are responding to the NW-SE gradient consisting of a repeating 

pattern of relatively gentle NW-facing slopes, ridges, slipfaces, and bowls. Belts, 

therefore, that are oriented in this same NW-SE direction should prove to be more 

efficient in terms of reducing sampling error than W to E belts. 

Table 1. ASMAP coefficients of variation (standard deviation divided by mean) and 

precisions expressed as 95% confidence intervals from a sample of 34 belt transects. 

CVs and precisions for the 1m belt width are the average of two samples in 2001 and one 

sample in 2002. Those for the 2m belt width are the average of 1 sample in 2001 and one 

sample in 2002.

Belt width Coefficient of Variation

Precision (+/- percent of 

mean)

1 m 2.659 92.78%

2 m 2.320 80.94%

5 m 1.984 69.24%

10 m 1.769 61.73%

A belt width of 25m is likely the widest practical width for ASMAP. Although belt 

widths as wide as 25m are problematic for some species, particularly in dense vegetation, 
7

the size of ASMAP individuals, coupled with the sparse vegetation in the dunes, make 

belts this wide practical. 

Belt transects will be positioned using a restricted random design (Elzinga et al. 1998 and 

2001) within each of the 7 management areas listed above.

Transects will be traversed in a NW to SE direction corresponding to the dune gradient 

discussed above. Baselines will be established at the NW edges of each of the 

management areas. An initial sample of 10 belt transects will be taken within each of the 

management areas. To accomplish this, the portion of the baseline that lies above the 

population to be sampled will be divided into 10 equal-sized segments. Within each of 

these segments, a single belt transect will be randomly positioned. The resulting 10 

transects will extend the length (NW-SE) of the MA. The means and standard deviations 

derived for ASMAP will then be calculated and used to calculate the sample sizes 

required to achieve estimates of 30% of the mean. Additional transects will be added to 

the previous 10 to achieve this sampling objective. The additional transects will also be 

added using a restricted random design. This will be accomplished by dividing the same 

baseline used to position the initial 10 belts into the number of segments required to 

position the additional belts. Each additional belt will then be randomly positioned 

within each of the new segments, except that no additional belt will be placed in the same 

position on the baseline as one of the initial 10 transects (i.e., sampling will be without 

replacement). 

Once established, the same transects will be sampled in succeeding years. This will be 

accomplished by the use of global positioning system (GPS) units. Many waypoints for 

each transect will be entered into the GPS units to ensure that observers walk the same 

transects each year. 

Bias resulting from the edge effect associated with the use belt transects will be 

controlled by the following rule: plants with rooting parts touching the left (NE) side of 

the boundary of each belt transect will be counted in, while those touching the right (SW) 

side of the line will be counted out.

The following information will be collected for ASMAP: (1) total number of individuals 

observed; (2) number of flowering individuals; (3) number of non-flowering individuals; 

(4) number of individuals older than 1 year (this can be determined by the presence of 

basal leaf/branch scars); (5) number of individuals with apparent physical damage from 

OHVs; and (6) number of individuals with damage from other sources (e.g., insects). 

This information will be recorded in 25m segments along belts, which will allow 

comparison of information collected in 25m x 25m subplots with OHV use monitoring, 

discussed below. The GPS coordinates of the beginning of each 25m x 25m subplot 

containing plant species will also be recorded. 

Analysis of Peirson’s milk-vetch monitoring: The population estimates for ASMAP 

within each of the management areas will be graphed by year with error bars 

corresponding to 95% confidence intervals.
8

For each management area comparisons between densities in two average-to-aboveaverage rainfall years will be made by means of paired t tests. 

Ground Moisture/Precipitation Monitoring

Precipitation in the dunes will be measured by means of the two existing remote area 

weather stations (RAWS) and--once installed--by the additional five RAWS. 

Precipitation data for these stations will be collected for each month of the year. 

Ground moisture will be monitored in each 25 m plot along each transect during each 

plant survey. This information will be compared to milk-vetch abundance and 

distribution as well as to weather data.

OHV Use Monitoring

OHV use levels will be estimated by means of aerial photography, taken yearly. Sixteen 

air photo transects were established throughout the dunes in 1998 in order to obtain a 

sample of the distribution and intensity of OHV use in the dunes through the 

measurement of vehicle tracks. The aerial photographs obtained from these transects are 

at a 1:7000 scale, allowing the detection of vehicle tracks. These transects were flown on 

Easter weekend 1998 and re-flown on Easter weekends in 1999, 2000, and 2001 (because 

of the ephemeral nature of vehicle tracks in sand, it was necessary to take the 

photographs during a weekend of relatively high vehicle use). The location of these air 

photo transects is shown in Willoughby 2000, along with the results of vehicle track 

frequency measurements for 1998. 

The photographic information collected in 1999, 2000, and 2001 will be mapped and 

assessed for changes in use-levels and use-patterns.

In one year during the first four years following RAMP implementation, aerial 

photography will be obtained to achieve complete coverage of the dunes. This 

photography will be taken during three heavy OHV-use weekends in one recreation year 

(a recreation year begins in October of one calendar year and runs through Easter of the 

following calendar year). Photographs will be collected during Easter, Thanksgiving, and 

Presidents’ Day weekends, which are historically high-use weekends. OHV use will be 

measured on these photographs using the methodology discussed below. Following 

analysis of these data, a determination will be made as to which high-use weekend 

provides the best index of OHV use or whether future aerial photography should be 

rotated between two or all three of these high-use weekends. Following the initial fouryear period, aerial photography will be obtained for one high-use weekend per year.

Aerial photographs will be sampled by means of a grid of points to estimate the cover of 

vehicle tracks in the dunes. The size of the grid and number of points per transect will be 

determined based on pilot sampling to meet the sampling objective described below. 

Future aerial photographs will be registered so that sampling grids can be placed in the 

same area in each year. 
9

The transects and 25 m segments used during plant monitoring (described above) will be 

overlaid on aerial photographs to allow comparison of OHV-use levels and plant 

abundance and condition.

Based on the above analyses, the calibration study (see Box 3, described below) and 

general assessment of the photographs, aerial photographs will be used to produce GIS 

maps depicting areas of the dunes subject to high, medium, and low levels of use. These 

maps will be compared over time to allow assessment of changes in use intensity or use 

patterns over time.

Sampling Objective: Sampling will be designed to achieve yearly estimates of OHV 

track cover that are within 30% (relative) of the true OHV track cover at the 95% 

confidence level within each of the 9 management areas. Sampling will be designed to 

allow mapping and quantification of “high,” “medium,” and “low” use areas within each 

management area. A methodology for determining high, medium, and low use areas will 

be developed in coordination with the FWS. It is unlikely this sampling objective can be 

met for the wilderness area since the OHV track cover there will likely be extremely low. 

This sampling objective may be modified based on pilot sampling. 

Calibration Studies: OHV Use and Rainfall (Box 3):

Since we are not able to estimate OHV use or rainfall directly for the whole dune area, 

we must rely on indices: the number of tracks from aerial photos and a measurement of 

ground moisture in discrete areas throughout the dunes. To understand what these 

indices mean in terms of true OHV use, calibration studies will be performed. For the 

OHV index, a known number of OHV-hours will be run in a replicated sample of untracked areas. The area will then be aerially photographed to calibrate the track counts 

with a known number of OHV-hours. This study may be conducted concurrently with 

the experimental study on OHV Effects (below) to facilitate both studies. Using this 

methodology, low, medium, and high-use areas will be defined in coordination with 

FWS. Techniques for calibration of rainfall with ground moisture levels throughout the 

dunes have not been developed; however, ground-moisture levels will be measured 

during surveys and the potential for calibration studies be evaluated over time. 

The Effects of OHV Use on Peirson’s Milkvetch: Inferential and Experimental 

Studies. 

Correlative Study within the AMA

The densities of ASMAP, HENIT, and PHSO (number of plants/hectare) will be 

estimated for the entire AMA, for a 1 km2 control area within the AMA, and for a 1 km2

treatment area within the AMA in each of the three years following implementation of 

the RAMP. The treatment and control areas will be selected subjectively, subject to the 

following considerations. The treatment area will be selected to function in a manner 
10

similar to the key area concept in rangeland management. As defined by the Society for 

Range Management (1998), a key area is:

A relatively small portion or a pasture of management unit is selected because of its 

location, use or grazing value as a monitoring point for grazing use. It is assumed that 

key areas, if properly selected, will reflect the overall acceptability of current grazing 

management over the pasture or unit as a whole. 

Holechek (1988) and Holechek et al. (1998) point out that the key area concept 

has been highly useful to managers in evaluating the effects of grazing on 

rangeland vegetation. It is in wide use and is an accepted practice on Bureau of 

Land Management, Forest Service, and private rangelands (Habich et al. 1996). 

The concept should apply equally well to the evaluation of the effects of OHV use 

on ASMAP, HENIT, and PHSO. Just as for key areas in rangeland management, 

the treatment area will be selected to best reflect the effects of OHV use in the 

entire AMA. The control area will be selected to be as similar as possible in 

terms of habitat characteristics and weather to the treatment area.

The control and treatment areas will be rectangular in shape, with the long side of the 

rectangles oriented along the NW-SE dune gradient (discussed above under yearly 

monitoring for ASMAP, HENIT, and PHSO. The treatment and control areas will be 

200m x 5000m in size and shape. An area 220m x 5020m in size, encompassing the 

control area with 10m added to each side of the rectangle to eliminate edge effect, will be 

signed closed and patrolled on a regular basis by law enforcement personnel. The 

treatment area will remain open to OHV use. The NW-SE orientation will incorporate 

more potential ASMAP, HENIT, and PHSO habitat within the control and treatment 

areas than would other orientations. Belt transects will also be used within the 1 km2

AMA treatment and control areas, but an attempt will be made to completely census the 

treatment and control areas at least for ASMAP and HENIT. This would be 

accomplished by counting all plants of these species in contiguous 25m wide belts. If 

practical, PHSO will also be completely censused. Monitoring in the first year following 

implementation of the RAMP will determine whether complete censuses are practical.

Estimates for the treatment and control areas will be compared for each year. 

Comparisons will also be made between the responses of ASMAP, HENIT, and PHSO in 

the AMA as a whole and in the treatment area. These comparisons will be used to 

determine if the treatment area is adequately reflecting the effects of use in the AMA. If 

not, then a new treatment area will be selected or another treatment area added.

An attempt will be made to conduct actual censuses of the three species in the 1 km2

control and treatment areas of the AMA. If this proves to be practical, then there will be 

no sampling error associated with the population sizes measured for these two areas. If 

this is not practical, sampling will be designed to achieve yearly estimates that are within 

20% of the true total population size at the 95% confidence level for each area. The 

objective for change detection will be to detect a 30% change between two average-toabove-average rainfall years with a statistical power of 90% and a false-change (Type I) 
11

error rate of 10%. The use of the control and treatment areas within the AMA is 

discussed further under a separate heading, below.

Comparative Evaluation Between Milk-vetch Surveys and OHVUse Surveys

As described in the ASMAP survey section (Box 2) 25m x 25m subplots will be 

established along milk-vetch survey belt transects. These subplots will subsequently be 

identified on aerial photographs developed for OHV monitoring. Milk-vetch abundance 

will be compared to OHV use levels.

The correlative studies described above allow inferences to be made regarding effects of 

OHVs on ASMAP. In addition to the correlative studies described above, a manipulative 

study is necessary to quantify the effects of OHV use on the reproductive capability and 

persistence of milk-vetch plants. 

Experimental Study 1

Experiment number 1 will conducted during on two separate occasions: (1) in the spring

of a year that experiences rainfall at or above the long-term mean, and (2) in the spring of 

a year that experiences rainfall below the long-term mean. The experiment will be 

conducted twice under different conditions to ascertain whether the effects of OHV use 

are different under different weather regimes. At least eight 200 m x 200 m plots will be 

selected and sub-divided into four 100 m x 100 m treatment plots. Four treatments (no, 

low, medium, and high OHV use) will be applied, with 8 replications for each treatment.

The definition of use categories will come from the OHV correlative study (described 

under Box 3) to make sure these are relevant treatment levels. Each plot will be censused 

for milk-vetch, before and after treatment is applied, and two months following 

treatment. During the census, the following variables will be measured: (1) the number 

of ASMAP individuals and ratio of seedlings to adults and (2) the number of plants with 

evidence of vehicle damage.

Analysis of data:

The null hypothesis is that there will be is no treatment effect. The alternative 

hypothesis is that there will be an ordered treatment effect. 

A randomized complete block design will be used, with eight 200m x 200m plots, each 

sub-divided into four 100 m x 100 m sub-plots placed in different areas of the dunes. The 

reason for blocking is to remove spatial variability between blocks from the analysis. 

Analysis will be on the before-after differences in the three variables (number of ASMAP 

individuals, ratio of seedlings: adults, and number of ASMAP plants with evidence of 

vehicle damage). Results will be displayed graphically showing mean difference by 
12

treatment with error bars corresponding to 90% confidence intervals. Effect sizes will be 

measured and evaluated for a difference. Each variable will also be analyzed using an 

analysis of variance (ANOVA) that accounts for the effects of blocking. The experimentwise Type I error rate will be set at 0.10. A P value from the ANOVA less than 0.10 

would also indicate that there is a treatment effect. Post hoc tests will then be conducted 

to determine which pairs of treatments differ. These post hoc tests will control for the 

experiment-wise error rate.

Experimental Study 2

The second experimental study will quantify the impact on individual plants from being 

run over by a vehicle. The study will follow the general guidelines of a previous study 

conducted by Pavlik (1979) but will be conducted with a larger sample size.

Milkvetch Biological Studies (Box 5): 

Additional biological information regarding the life-history of ASMAP is necessary to 

model the population, predict the population response to management options, and 

effectively manage the population. Information that is necessary to determine the effect 

of management options on this species include studies that address the questions listed 

below. These studies will be conducted by BLM, other Federal or State agencies, nongovernmental organizations, or universities as funding is secured. These studies will 

address the following questions:

- What are the relative contributions of adult and seedling milk-vetch plants to the 

seedbank? 

- Are seeds produced by milk-vetch seedlings viable? 

- How much ground moisture is required to stimulate germination of milk-vetch 

seeds?

- How long do milk-vetch seeds remain viable?

- For how many years do adult milk-vetch plants remain reproductive?

Development of Milk-vetch Models (Box 6): 

Our current understanding leads us to believe that two key variables, rainfall (moisture) 

and OHV use contribute to ASMAP dynamics in the Algodones Dunes. The information 

obtained from the surveys and studies listed above will be used to evaluate several 

models of ASMAP dynamics as they pertain to these variables. The area occupied by

ASMAP may increase or decrease in response to OHV use, precipitation, or a 

combination of these factors. Each model will predict the impact of an action, which will 

result in some expected return in terms of the objective. Initially, each model will be 

given equal weight. Over time, each model of ASMAP dynamics will receive different 

weight based on monitoring and study results. 
13

Management Options (Box 1):

The initial management option for the RAMP will be unlimited OHV use in 5 

Management Areas, continued closure of the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness to 

OHVs, and 525 vehicles per day permitted use in the AMA. This management option 

will be assessed by studies and monitoring of milk-vetch populations to better understand 

the dynamics between moisture (precipitation), varying levels of OHV use, and milkvetch reproduction, numbers, and distribution. In the future, management of each of 

these Management Areas may change in response to identified changes in the milk-vetch 

status in each unit and information gained from the aforementioned studies. Possible 

management options include those based on a permit system that would allow a specified 

level of use (high, medium, low, no use), temporally based closures or limitations (open 

during some months or years, closed in others), recognition and management of subunits 

within a management area, and/or increased education and outreach to OHV users to 

avoid certain areas. Most of these changes to management areas other than the Adaptive 

Management Area, discussed below, would require an amendment to the ISDRA Plan. 

Adaptive Management

Adjusting the number of permits in the Adaptive Management Area: 

No change in the number of riders permitted to use the AMA will be made until 4 years 

of monitoring and research data have been collected and analyzed. It is anticipated that 

differences in density of 30% percent between a baseline year and a subsequent year with 

comparable rainfall would be both detectable and biologically significant. If this level of 

change in milk-vetch abundance, distribution, or density occurs within the AMA, the 

BLM may adjust the management option in this Management Area. If a decline of this 

magnitude is observed, BLM may adjust management to a management option that 

provides increased protection for ASMAP. If an increase of this magnitude is observed, 

BLM may adjust management to a management option that allows increased recreational 

use of the area. No change in the number of riders permitted to use the AMA will be 

made until 4 years of monitoring and research data have been collected and analyzed. 

Several sources of information will then be used to determine if and when to adjust the 

number of OHV permits within the AMA: (1) comparison of the densities of ASMAP, 

HENIT, and PHSO in the control and treatment areas (correlative study within the 

AMA); (2) between-year comparison of the use patterns and use levels within the AMA; 

and (3) results of OHV impact studies described above. 

Adaptive Management in other Management Areas:

Monitoring and studies will be conducted during the first four years of ISDRA Plan 

implementation in accordance with the Implementation Schedule below. After this fouryear period, BLM will reinitiate Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation 

with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service so that scientific information collected as part of 

this monitoring/study plan can be fully integrated into the ESA Section 7a(2) analysis for 
14

this action. This consultation will also allow revision of the interim threshold, identified 

below, if sufficient information has been obtained and identification of the adaptive 

management strategy to be used if milk-vetch populations decline below threshold levels.

Interim threshold: If the population of Peirson’s milk-vetch in any of the management 

areas declines by more than 50% in two years of average to above-average growing 

season precipitation, BLM will re-initiate Section 7 consultation with FWS.

If BLM is unable to conduct monitoring and studies scheduled during the first four 

springs of RAMP implementation, BLM will re-initiate consultation with FWS.
15

Peirson’s Milk-Vetch Monitoring/Study Implementation Schedule and Cost

 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008

Precipitation monitoring (installation 

of weather stations and development of 

data base)

X

$125,000

ASMAP Monitoring Surveys* X

$140,000

X

$140,000

X

$140,000

X

$140,000

*

$140,000?

Dune-wide aerial survey (OHV usepatterns)

and analysis (including mapping)

X

$186,000

X

$62,000

OHV Use Calibration Study (cost 

included with Experimental Study 1) X

Experimental Study 1 (OHV Use) ** X

$30,000

**

$30,000

Experimental Study 2 (OHV Use) X

$15,000

AMA correlation study (OHV Use) X

$10,000

X

$10,000

X

$10,000

X

$10,000

X

$10,000

Survey/aerial photography comparison 

(OHV Use vs. Milk-vetch Abundance 

in 25m Sub-Plots

X

$10,000

X

$10,000

X

$10,000

Compilation and mapping of 1999, 

2000, 2001 OHV use data

X

$10,000

Development of Milk-vetch Models X

$20,000

Coordination with FWS Regarding 

Threshold Adjustment X

Estimated Cost for Fiscal Year $160,000 $305,000 $346,000 $175,000

$102,000 

or 

$242,000

* After the first three years, dune-wide ASMAP surveys will be conducted during 

“wet” years, likely every 4-5 years.

** The “dry year” repeat of Experimental Study 1 will be conducted in the first dry year 

after 2007.

Note: There is flexibility over which studies are funded during which fiscal years. The 

table above assumes that Experimental Study 1 will be conducted in FY 2005, that dunewide aerial surveys will be flown during Thanksgiving weekend, Presidents’ Day 

weekend, and Easter weekend of 2005-2006, and that Experimental Study 2 will be 

conducted in FY 2007. Other combinations are possible depending on funding 

availability for particular fiscal years.
16

Algodones Dunes Sunflower (HENIT)

Algodones Dunes Sunflower will be monitored in conjunction with Peirson’s milk-vetch (ASMAP). 

Estimates of population size and the other parameters listed under the description of ASMAP surveys will 

also be made for HENIT using the same methodology described for ASMAP, including a belt transect 

width of 25m, except that different stage classes than those employed for ASMAP will likely be necessary 

due to the different morphology of HENIT. The OHV use monitoring described under the ASMAP section 

of this monitoring/study plan will also be used to determine correlations between levels of OHV use and 

abundance of HENIT. Experimental studies 1 and 2 described under the ASMAP section are primarily 

directed toward determining the effects of OHV use on ASMAP, but to the extent HENIT can be included 

in these studies it will be. In other words, the same measurements performed on ASMAP will also be 

performed on those HENIT individuals present in the ASMAP study plots. It may not be possible, 

however, to locate these study plots in a manner that incorporates sufficient numbers of both species to 

achieve similar levels of statistical confidence in the results for both species. These studies will be 

designed with the primary objective of determining the effects of OHV use on ASMAP (see study 

objectives in the ASMAP section), with the result that statistical confidence in the results for HENIT may 

be lower (perhaps much lower) than those for ASMAP.

Biological studies of HENIT would also yield valuable insight into the ecology of this species and BLM 

will work with universities, other agencies, and non-governmental organizations to encourage the funding 

and implementation of these.

Sand Food (PHSO)

Sand food will also be monitored in conjunction with Peirson’s milk-vetch (ASMAP). Estimates of 

population size will be made for PHSO using the same methodology described for ASMAP, except that a 

narrower belt width will likely be necessary for PHSO owing to its more cryptic nature (it is anticipated 

that a belt width of 5m or 10m will be used for this species) and the identification of stage classes is not 

possible for this species (the counting unit is an inflorescence; the rest of the plant is hidden below the 

surface of the sand). The OHV use monitoring described under the ASMAP section of this 

monitoring/study plan will also be used to determine correlations between levels of OHV use and 

abundance of PHSO. Experimental studies 1 and 2 described in the ASMAP section will not be applied to 

PHSO because— for the most part--the latter species does not occupy the same areas of the dunes as the 

former.

Biological studies of PHSO would also yield valuable insight into the ecology of this species and BLM will 

work with universities, other agencies, and non-governmental organizations to encourage the funding and 

implementation of these.

PSAMMOPHYTIC VEGETATION

Both the cover and density of perennial plants will be estimated annually by means of 

line intercept transects run perpendicular (or, along the left edge of the belt transect, if 

desired) to each of the belt transects described above at systematic intervals along each 

belt. A line intercept transect length of 50m will be used during pilot sampling; this 

length is subject to change depending on how well a transect of this length intercepts the 

variety of perennial plants present at each sampling location. These transects will be 

positioned systematically with a random start at 1 km points along each of the belt 

transects. Along each transect, the distance intercepted by the line will be recorded by 

species. This will result in an estimate of cover for each species as well as an estimate 
17

for total vegetation cover. Additionally, the width of each species intercepted will be 

measured by means of a meter stick or other measuring device placed perpendicular to 

the line intercept transect at the plant’s widest point. These widths will be used to 

estimate the density of each perennial plant, using methods described in Lucas and Seber 

(1977). 

Sampling Objective: Sampling will be designed to achieve yearly estimates of cover 

that are within 50% (relative) of the true vegetation cover at the 95% confidence level 

within each of the 5 sampling areas. This sampling objective may be modified based on 

pilot sampling.

Analysis: Changes in total vegetation cover and the cover of at least the most dominant 

species will be analyzed in a manner analogous to that described for special status 

species, above.

DESERT MICROPHYLL WOODLAND VEGETATION

Monitoring of Desert Microphyll Woodland vegetation will be conducted annually, but 

monitoring of specific areas will be done on a five-year rotation using the protocol 

attached at the end of this appendix. 

BIRD POPULATIONS IN MICROPHYLL WOODLAND

Monitoring of bird populations in microphyll woodland will be conducted in accordance 

with the protocol attached at the end of this appendix.

COLORADO DESERT FRINGED-TOED LIZARD

In 2001, 50 survey transects were completed for spring and fall in order to estimate the 

density of Colorado Desert fringe toed lizards (Uma notata) in a comparison of open and 

closed areas in terms of OHV use. The Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area was used as a 

control, while the open area to the south was used as a treatment. Using the grid 

established by the WESTEC Study of 1977 (WESTEC 1977), 0.45 mile square cells on 

the grid were selected using simple random sampling after the elimination of habitat not 

entirely consistent with Uma notata, i.e., microphyll woodland, creosote bush scrub, and 

any cells within 0.45 miles of a road (Gecko Road and State Highway 78).

The first 60 Cells were then numbered (south to north in closed area, north to south in 

open area) in a snaking pattern before simple random sampling was applied. Transects 

were 0.45 mile long and 10m wide belts. Surveyors were evenly spaced, and navigated 

the transects using Garmin III global positioning system units on NAD 83 Map Datum 

from west to east using the northwest to northeast grid lines. Transects were alternated 

from open to closed areas in order to avoid weather bias, and were also completed when 

surface temperatures were at or between 35-44 degrees Celsius. Transects were not 
18

completed if (1) OHV activity was observed on the transect or (2) high wind speeds and 

lifting sand obstructed surveyors’ ability to detect the lizard. 

Two surveyors tapped the ground with 2.5m bamboo sticks in front of them while 

surveying in order to flush lizards. Microhabitat data was collected in addition to lizard 

numbers; this data included type of cover used, type of escape cover used, surface 

temperature, physical habitat (bowl, slip-face, dune ridge, sandy flat), habitat (active 

dune, psammophytic scrub), aspect, age (adult, sub-adult, hatchling), substrate the lizard 

was on, slope (degrees), and species. Approximately 99% of lizards observed were Uma 

notata. Results from these surveys are currently being analyzed. 

A similar monitoring protocol will be implemented following plan completion. In 

addition to applying this protocol to the wilderness area and the open area immediately 

south of Highway 78, monitoring transects will also be established in the Adaptive 

Management Area and in the open area south of the Adaptive Management Area. Fewer 

transects per area will be read than the number read in 2001, since preliminary analysis of 

the 2001 data indicate that sufficient precision can be obtained with a lower number of 

transects. For those areas sampled in 2001, a subset of the transects run in 2001 will be 

selected according to a random design (i.e., either simple random sampling, systematic 

random sampling, or restricted random sampling) for future measurement. For those 

areas not yet sampled, the WESTEC grid will again be used as described above, with 

transects positioned using a random design.

Sampling Objective: Sampling will be designed to achieve yearly estimates of lizard 

density that are within 30% of the true lizard density at the 95% confidence level within 

each of the 4 sampling areas. This sampling objective may be modified based on pilot 

sampling.

Analysis: Lizard densities in each of the five sampled areas will be compared over time 

to determine if there is a trend in density over time. The densities for each of the four 

areas may also be compared to determine if there are significant differences in density 

between areas, but this difference will be difficult to interpret given the variability in 

topography and probably climate throughout the entire dune system. It may be possible 

to use a multivariate repeated measures analysis of variance, as described under the 

analysis section for special status plants, to see if the responses of the lizards in each of 

the areas are parallel over time. The power of this analysis, however, depends upon the 

degree of correlation between years of each of the sampling units (belt transects). It is 

quite possible that this correlation will prove to be low with an organism this mobile, but 

pilot sampling should provide an answer.

Once more than 10 years of data are available, the parallel response hypothesis, even for 

independent samples, can be tested through regression analysis, treating density as the 

dependent variable and year as the independent variable.
19

FLAT-TAILED HORNED LIZARD

There have been approximately 20 sightings of the flat-tailed horned lizard (FTHL) in the 

Algodones Dunes, some well out in the dune interior. Foreman (1997) summarized 

existing information on FTHL habitat, concluding, “Flat-tailed horned lizards are 

probably rare in the unvegetated portions of major dune systems, such as the Algodones 

Dunes and the dunes of the Gran Desierto. (Luckenbach and Bury 1983, McCalvin 1993). 

However, much of the ISDRA is vegetated. Large areas of psammophytic scrub occur in 

the ISDRA. The only known surveys directed specifically toward the FTHL were 

conducted by BLM. These surveys looked at portions of the dunes near their perimeter 

(i.e., near roads) and consisted of 2.5 mile long belt transects that were 50 inches wide 

(Wright 2002). During the 77 hours spent walking these transects, two lizards were 

sighted (a rate of 0.026 lizards/hour). This sighting rate of 0.026 lizards/hour is much 

lower than sighting rates for other areas in California. West Mesa, for example, an area 

known to provide good habitat for the species, has a sighting rate of about 0.2 

lizards/hour, while the California range as a whole is about 0.1 lizards/hour. These data 

appear to indicate that the FTHL is less abundant in the dunes, but the fact remains that 

the majority of the dunes have not been surveyed for the species.

The monitoring planned here is to search for FTHL on a randomly selected subset of the 

belt transects used for the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard. The FTHL will not be 

surveyed during the same time as the fringe-toed lizard transects because the FTHL will 

require considerably more time to read and because the FTHL must be surveyed 

following a wind event that erases previous lizard tracks (see below), a constraint not 

shared by the fringe-toed lizard monitoring.

Belt transects 724m (0.45 mile) long by 10m wide will be surveyed by teams of 2-

3 observers. Observers will carefully walk the transects looking for either lizards or 

lizard tracks. If tracks are found, they will be followed in an attempt to find the lizard. If 

found the lizard will be counted as being in the belt transect. The parameter estimate will 

be the number of lizards detected per hour of survey. A separate estimate of this 

parameter will be obtained for each of the areas surveyed (Mammoth Wash, wilderness 

area, open area north of the Adaptive Management Area, Adaptive Management Area, 

open area south of the Adaptive Management Area). 

Sampling Objective: No sampling objective is planned at this time. Studies in nondune habitat (Wright 2002) have shown that detection rates of this cryptic animal can be 

very low and variable, leading to rather imprecise estimates of detection rate. The dune 

substrate allows observers to use tracks to locate lizards (something they were unable to 

do on other substrates), and this may result in lower coefficients of variation and more 

precise estimates of detection rate. On the other hand, the possible lower abundance of 

the lizard in the dunes may result in many zero values, leading to less precise estimates. 

Because of these unknowns, there is no reasonable means of estimating the potential 

coefficient of variation for FTHL data. Therefore, no sampling objectives will be set 

until pilot sampling yields an estimate of detection rate and its standard deviation.
20

Analysis: Analysis of FTHL detection rates will be conducted in a manner similar to that 

discussed above for Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard density. Because FTHL estimates 

may not be very precise it may not be possible to detect other than drastic changes in 

FTHL abundance, but the monitoring will at least answer questions concerning whether 

psammophytic scrub supports many FTHL and, if so, what the FTHL distribution in the 

dunes is.

OHV USE

OHV use will be estimated by means of aerial photography. Sixteen air photo transects 

were established throughout the dunes in 1998 in order to obtain a sample of the 

distribution and intensity of OHV use in the dunes through the measurement of vehicle 

tracks. The aerial photographs obtained from these transects are at a 1:7000 scale, 

allowing the detection of vehicle tracks. These transects were flown on Easter weekend 

1998 and reflown on Easter weekends in 1999, 2000, and 2001 (because of the ephemeral 

nature of vehicle tracks in sand, it was necessary to take the photographs during a 

weekend of relatively high vehicle use). The location of these air photo transects is 

shown in Willoughby (2000), along with the results of vehicle track frequency 

measurements for 1998. 

During the first four years of RAMP implementation, aerial photography will be obtained 

for the entire ISDRA during three heavy-use weekends (Thanksgiving, Presidents’ Day, 

and Easter) in one of these years and during one heavy-use weekend every year 

thereafter. The data from the three heavy-use weekends will be used to determine the 

timing of the yearly aerial photography. 

Aerial photographs will be sampled by means of a grid of points to estimate the cover of 

vehicle tracks in the dunes. The size of the grid and number of points per transect will be 

determined based on pilot sampling to meet the sampling objective described below. 

Future aerial photographs will be registered so that sampling grids can be placed in the 

same area in each year. 

Sampling Objective: Sampling will be designed to achieve yearly estimates of OHV 

track cover that are within 30% (relative) of the true OHV track cover at the 95% 

confidence level within each of the 9 management sampling areas. It is unlikely this 

objective can be met for the wilderness area since the OHV track cover there will likely 

be extremely low. This sampling objective may be modified based on pilot sampling. 

See the section for Peirson’s milk-vetch for more information on how these estimates of 

OHV use will be used to make inferences concerning the effects of different levels of 

OHV use on particular species.
21

VISITOR USE

In order to obtain better estimates of visitor use on holiday weekends, the following 

three-part monitoring study is planned:

- Personnel will collect the following data at major dune entry points: types of 

vehicles entering the dunes, number of people in vehicles, and the types of OHV 

vehicles they are bringing into the dunes.

- Electronic vehicle counters will be used to count vehicles coming into the dunes. 

Local regressions on the data collected in Part 1 will be used to extrapolate the 

estimated population and the type and number of vehicles.

- Conduct demographic studies to obtain data on the willingness-to-pay and actual 

expenditure data by OHV recreation visitors under different adaptive management 

regimes. These elements respond to the need to account for the economic impact 

of OHV recreation visitors to communities.

WEATHER STATIONS

Long-term weather stations in the region do not completely capture the actual growing 

season precipitation occurring in the dunes. These weather stations are some distance 

from the dunes, the seasonal precipitation totals vary greatly between stations, and there 

is strong indication that precipitation varies considerably within the dunes during the 

same growing season (Willoughby 2000 and 2001). For these reasons, two Remote Area 

Weather Stations were set up in the dunes in fall 2000, one at the Cahuilla Ranger Station 

in the northwest part of the dunes and one at Buttercup Campground in the southern part 

of the dunes. These stations began collecting weather data on November 16, 2000. The 

Buttercup Station recorded significantly higher precipitation than the Cahuilla Station 

between November 2000 and December 2001. Because of this variability and the 

importance of precipitation in controlling the abundance of special status plants, the 

Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard, and the flat-tailed horned lizard, more weather 

stations are necessary to enable good interpretation of the monitoring data collected. If 

adequate funding is secured, five additional remote area weather station facilities will be 

installed in the dunes. These new stations will be located approximately as follows: (1) 

in the extreme northern part of the dunes in the vicinity of Mammoth Wash; (2) at the 

wildlife viewing area just northwest of Glamis; (3) along the Wash Road west of the 

junction of Ted Kipf and Vista Mine roads; (4) along the Wash Road west of Cactus; and 

(5) along the sand highway west of Tube 1.

Precipitation data gathered by the remote area weather stations will be compared to the 

results of monitoring to assist in determining whether a detected increase in the 

population of a special status species can be solely attributable to precipitation variability. 
22

This evaluation will assist in determining what, it any, management action is required in 

response to a detected change in population size. 

Additional Funding Required to Support Monito ring

Additional funding will be required to accomplish the monitoring described above. This 

funding includes both one-time and yearly costs, as detailed below. Also see the 

monitoring/study implementation schedule and costs for special status plant monitoring, 

included in the section on Peirson’s milk-vetch monitoring.

Need One-time Cost Yearly Cost

Personnel (monitoring, analysis, and GIS 

support) $250,000

Vehicle maintenance 5,000

Remote Area Weather Stations (5 @ 

$25,000 each) 125,000

Weather Station Maintenance 5,000

Aerial Photography and analysis costs in 

first 4 years of plan implementation $186,000

Aerial Photography and analysis yearly 

after first 4 years of plan implementation

62,000

Total 311,000 322,000

Personnel: Monitoring will be accomplished using a combination of full-time 

employees, seasonal employees, contractors, and volunteers. In addition to actually 

reading transects, two employees will provide logistical and safety support during 

monitoring periods (e.g., waiting at the end of transects with a vehicle, monitoring radio 

and telephone transmissions from monitors, etc.).

Remote Area Weather Stations: The need for these is discussed under the section on 

weather stations, above.

Aerial Photography: Sixteen air photo transects are currently being flown each year. 

The planned monitoring calls for complete coverage of the ISDRA during three heavyuse weekends (Thanksgiving, Presidents’ Day, and Easter) in one of the first four years, 

and once every year thereafter. The exact location of each aerial photograph will be 

registered and incorporated into a GIS.

Literature Cited

Anderson, D. R., and K. P. Burnham. 1997. A monitoring program for the desert tortoise. 

Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Fort Collins, CO

Anderson, D. R., K. P. Burnham, B. C. Lubow, L. Thomas, P. S. Corn, P. A. Medica, and R. 
23

W. Marlow. 2001. Field trials of line transect methods applied to estimation of desert 

tortoise abundance. Journal of Wildlife Management 65:583-597.\

Barneby, R. C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus. Memoirs of the New York 

Botanical Garden 13:953-954.

Elzinga, C. L., D. W. Salzer, and J. W. Willoughby. 1998. Measuring and monitoring plant 

populations. Technical Reference 1730-1, Bureau of Land Management, Denver, CO.

Elzinga, C. L., D. W. Salzer, J. W. Willoughby, and J. P. Gibbs. 2001. Monitoring plant 

and animal populations. Blackwell Science, Malden, MA.

Foreman, L. D., ed. 1997. Flat-tailed horned lizard rangewide management strategy. 

Working Group of Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Interagency Coordinating Committee. Report 

available at Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District Office, Riverside, CA.

Habich, N., et al. 1996. Sampling vegetation attributes. U.S. Interagency Technical 

Reference, Bureau of Land Management, Denver, CO. 172 pp.

Holechek, J. L. 1988. An approach for setting the stocking rate. Rangelands 10:10-13.

Holechek, J. L., R. D. Pieper, and C. H. Herbel. 1998. Range management: principles and 

practices, 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Lucas, H.A., and G. A. F. Seber. 1977. Estimating cover and particle density using the line 

intercept method. Biometrika 64:618-622.

Luckenbach, R. A., and R. B. Bury. 1983. Effects of off-road vehicles on the biota of the 

Algodones Dunes, Imperial County, California. J. Applied Ecology 20:265-286.

McCalvin, C. 1993. Surveys for seven rare plant species, the flat-tailed horned lizard, and 

the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard. Report to Bureau of Reclamation, Boulder City, 

NV.

Pavlik, B.M. 1979. The biology of endemic psammophytes, Eureka Valley, California, and 

its relation to off-road vehicle impact. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, California Desert 

Planning Staff, Riverside, CA. On file at Bureau of Land Management, California State 

Office. 

Phillips, A. M., III, D. J. Kennedy, and M. Cross. 2001. Biology, distribution, and 

abundance of Peirson’s milkvetch and other special status plants of the Algodones Dunes, 

California. Final report prepared for the American Sand Association. Hemet, CA.

Phillips, A. M., III, and D. J. Kennedy. 2002. The ecology of Astragalus magdalenae var. 

peirsonii: distribution, reproduction and seed bank. Final report prepared for the American 

Sand Association. Flagstaff, AZ.
24

Society for Range Management. 1998. A glossary of terms used in range management, 4th 

edition. Society for Range Managment, Denver, CO.

Tabachnick, B.G., and L.S. Fidell. 2001. Using multivariate statistics, 4th edition. Allyn 

and Bacon, Boston, MA.

von Ende, C.N. 1993. Repeated-measures analysis: growth and other time-dependent 

measures. Pp. 113-137 in: S.M. Scheiner and J. Gurevitch, eds. Design and Analysis of 

Ecological Experiments. Chapman & Hall, New York and London.

WESTEC Services Inc. 1977. Survey of sensitive plants of the Algodones Dunes. 

Prepared for Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District. On file at the BLM 

California State Office, Sacramento, CA.

Willoughby, J. W. 2000. Monitoring of special status plants in the Algodones Dunes, 

Imperial County, California: Results of 1998 monitoring and comparison with the data 

from WESTEC’s 1977 monitoring study. Bureau of Land Management, California State

Office, Sacramento, CA.

Willoughby, J. W. 2001. Monitoring of special status plants in the Algodones Dunes, 

Imperial County, California: 1977, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Bureau of Land Management, 

California State Office, Sacramento, CA.

Wright, G. 2002. Draft flat-tailed horned lizard monitoring report. Bureau of Land 

Management, El Centro, CA.
1

Appendix 2

Authorized Land Uses / Status 
2

Mammoth Management Area

 1. Cathodic Protection Unit Site R/W (LA 0158160)

 2. BLM Windmill and Wildlife Water Tank Sites (2) R/W (CA-8714)

North Algodones Management Area

 1. LM Windmill and Wildlife Water Tank Site R/W (CA-8714)

 2. State Highway 78 R/W (CA-14630)

 3. Contaminated Military Area - Surface Use Only (R 05657)

Gecko Management Area

 1. Contaminated Military Area - Surface Use Only (R 05657)

 2. Old Coachella Canal R/W (LA 056654)

 3. Withdrawal Yuma Reclamation Project - New (Realigned) Coachella Canal

 4. BLM (Gecko Road) Easement (CA-2551)

 5. Glamis Known Geothermal Resource Area (CA-17575)

 6. Fiber Optic Line (AT&T) R/W (CA-41690)

 7. Underground Telephone Line R/W (CA-19125)

 8. Temporary Use Permits for Apiary Sites along Coachella Canal

Glamis Management Area

 1. Underground Telephone Line R/W (CA-19125)

 2. Road R/W (CA-40791)

 3. State Highway 78 (Realigned portion) R/W (CA-17922)

 4. Fiber Optic Line (AT&T) R/W (CA-41690)

Adaptive Management Area

 1. Contaminated Military Area - Surface Use Only (R 05657) 

 2. Cathodic Protection Unit Site R/W (LA 0158161)

 3. Glamis Known Geothermal Resource Area (CA-17572)

Dune Buggy Flats Management Area

 1. All American Canal R/W (LA 077775)

 2. Proposed Withdrawal, All American Canal Lining Project (CA-34475)

 3. Old Coachella Canal R/W (LA 056654)

 4. Withdrawal Yuma Reclamation Project - New (Realigned) Coachella Canal 

 5. Contaminated Military Area - Surface Use Only (R 05657)

 6. Temporary Use Permits for Apiary Sites along Coachella Canal

Ogilby Management Area
3

 1. Interstate 8 Highway R/W (LA 0165008)

 2. State Highway (Grays Well Overpass) R/W (CA-17911)

 3. Transmission Line R/W (LA 055613)

 4. Transmission Line R/W (CA-5865)

 5. County Road (Ogilby) R/W (CA-19171)

 6. Communication Site, Access Road and Transmission Line R/W (CA-17182)

 7. Railroad R/W (east boundary of management area)

 8. All American Canal and Well Sites R/W (LA 077775)

 9. Proposed Withdrawal, All American Canal Lining Project (CA-34475)

Buttercup Management Area

 1. Utility Corridor J (2 miles wide)

 2. All American Canal and Associated Telephone and Transmission Line R/W (LA 

077775)

 3. Transmission Line R/W (CA-5865)

 4. Transmission Line R/W (CA-18904)

 5. Transmission Line R/W (LA 055165)

 6. Transmission Line R/W (LA 0164553)

 7. Powerline Extension (to All American Canal) R/W (CA-35934)

 8. Underground Telephone Line R/W (CA-26357)

 9. Underground Fiber Optic Line (Level 3) R/W (CA-41192)

10. Barrier (U.S. Border Patrol) R/W Reservation (CA-34052)

11. Road (Grays Well Road) R/W Reservation to BLM (CA-19131)

12. Interstate 8 Highway R/W (LA 0165008)

13. State Highway (Grays Well Overpass) R/W (CA-17911)

14. Interstate 8 Highway and Ancillary Facilities R/W (R 07237)

15. Interstate 8 Highway and Ancillary Facilities R/W (R 01737)

16. Proposed Withdrawal, All American Canal Lining Project (CA-34475)

Planning Area

 1. Strip of Land Acquired by and Under Jurisdiction of BOR (CA-19902)

 2. Old Coachella Canal R/W (LA 056654)

 3. Underground Fiber Optic Line (AT&T) R/W (CA-41690)

 4. Cathodic Protection Unit Site R/W (LA 0158162)

 5. State Highway 78 (Realigned Portion) R/W (CA-17922)

 6. Railroad Spur R/W (CA-29617)

 7. Mineral Material Site (LA 0164722)

 8. Cathodic Protection Unit Site R/W (R-374)

 9. Easement to U.S. for Gordons Well Road (CA-37234)

10. Barrier (U.S. Border Patrol) R/W Reservation (CA-34052)

11. County Road (Old Hwy. 80) R/W (R 01737)

12. Underground Telephone Line R/W (CA-26357)

13. Road R/W (LA 0165008)
4

14. All American Canal, Telephone Line R/W (LA 077775)

15. Transmission Line R/W (LA 055165)

16. Transmission Line R/W (LA 164553)

17. County Road (Old Hwy. 80) R/W (R 01737)

18. Road, Pipeline, Wells, Transmission Line (CA-21618)

19. Mineral Material Site (LA 0133909)

20. RS 2477 County Road (Vista Mine Road and Zappone Road) R/W (CA-19169)

21. State Highway (Portion of Hwy. 78) R/W (CA-14630)

22. Underground Telephone Line R/W (CA-19125)

23. Road R/W (CA-8503)

24. Road R/W (CA-40791)

25. All American Canal R/W (LA 077775)

26. Seismographic Monitoring Site R/W (CA-2953-22)

27. Transmission Line R/W (CA-5865)

28. Underground Fiber Optic Line (Level 3) R/W (CA-41192)

29. State Highway R/W (R 137)

30. Surveillance Camera and Access Road (U.S. Border Patrol) R/W Reservation (CA- 

 40000)

31. Telephone Line and Road R/W (CA-18904)

32. Temporary Use Permits for Apiary Sites along Coachella Canal
1

Appendix 3

Acronyms 
2

AM: Adaptive Management

ASMAP: Peirson’s milk-vetch

AW: Area Wide

BLM: Bureau of Land Management

BM: Buttercup Management Area

CDCA: California Desert Conservation Area

CDPA: California Desert Protection Act

DM: Dune Buggy Flats Management Area

EIS: Environmental Impact Statement

FTHL: Flat-tailed Horned Lizard

GLM: Glamis Management Area

GM: Gecko Management Area

HENIT: Algodones Dunes Sunflower

IC: Incident Command

ICSO: Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

ISDRA: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area

MA: Management Area

MM: Mammoth Management Area

NA: North Algodones Management Area

NECO: North Eastern Colorado Desert Plan

OHMVR: Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

OHV: Off-Highway Vehicle

OM: Ogilby Management Area

PA: Planning Area

PHSO: Sandfood

RAMP: Recreational Area Management Plan

TRT: Technical Review Team

SUV: Sports Utility Vehicle

WECO: Western Colorado Desert Plan
1

Appendix 4

Literature Cited 
2

Barneby, R. C. 1964. Atlas of North American Astragalus. Memoirs of the New York 

Botanical Garden 13:953-954.

Baskin, C. C., and J. M. Baskin. 2001. Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and evolution of 

dormancy and germination. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.

Bowers, J. E. 1996. Seedling emergence on Sonoran Desert dunes. Journal of Arid 

Environments 33: 63–72.

Caswell, H. 2001. Matrix population models, 2nd edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., 

Sunderland, MA.

Elzinga, C. L., D. W. Salzer, and J. W. Willoughby. 1998. Measuring and monitoring 

plant populations. Technical Reference 1730-1, Bureau of Land Management, Denver, 

CO.

Elzinga, C. L., D. W. Salzer, J. W. Willoughby, and J. P. Gibbs. 2001. Monitoring plant 

and animal populations. Blackwell Science, Malden, MA.

Foreman, L. D., ed. 1997. Flat-tailed horned lizard rangewide management strategy. 

Working Group of Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Interagency Coordinating Committee. 

Report available at Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District Office, 

Riverside, CA.

Lucas, H.A., and G. A. F. Seber. 1977. Estimating cover and particle density using the 

line intercept method. Biometrika 64:618-622.

Luckenbach, R. A., and R. B. Bury. 1983. Effects of off-road vehicles on the biota of 

the Algodones Dunes, Imperial County, California. J. Applied Ecology 20:265-286.

McCalvin, C. 1993. Surveys for seven rare plant species, the flat-tailed horned lizard, 

and the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard. Report to Bureau of Reclamation, Boulder 

City, NV.

Pavlik, B. M. 1979. The biology of endemic psammophytes, Eureka Valley, California, 

and its relation to off-road vehicle impact.

Pavlik, B. M. 1994. Demographic monitoring and the recovery of endangered plants. 

In: Bowles, M. L., and C. J. Whelan. Restoration of Endangered Species: Conceptual 

Issues, Planning and Implementation. Cambridge University Press, New York.

Pavlik, B. M., and M. G. Barbour. 1985. Demography of endemic psammophytes, Eureka 

Valley, California. I. Seed production, dispersal and herbivory.

Pavlik, B. M., and M. G. Barbour. 1986. Demography of endemic psammophytes, Eureka 

Valley, California. II. Survivorship, seed bank dynamics and frequency of establishment.
3

Pavlik, B. M., and M. G. Barbour. 1988. Demographic monitoring of endemic sand dune 

plants, Eureka Valley, California. Biological Conservation 46:217-242.

Tabachnick, B.G., and L.S. Fidell. 2001. Using multivariate statistics, 4th edition. Allyn 

and Bacon, Boston, MA.

von Ende, C.N. 1993. Repeated-measures analysis: growth and other time-dependent 

measures. Pp. 113-137 in: S.M. Scheiner and J. Gurevitch, eds. Design and Analysis of 

Ecological Experiments. Chapman & Hall, New York and London.

Willoughby, J. W. 2000. Monitoring of special status plants in the Algodones Dunes, 

Imperial County, California: Results of 1998 monitoring and comparison with the data 

from WESTEC’s 1977 monitoring study. Bureau of Land Management, California State 

Office, Sacramento, CA.

Willoughby, J. W. 2001. Monitoring of special status plants in the Algodones Dunes, 

Imperial County, California: 1977, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Bureau of Land Management, 

California State Office, Sacramento, CA.

Wright, G. 2002. Draft flat-tailed horned lizard monitoring report. Bureau of Land 

Management, El Centro, CA.