But, but, but officer ...
It's all fun and games at the Imperial Sand Dunes - but there are rules and regulations you need to know before you hit the sand.
"California state law applies on all state lands, particularly DUI laws and drug laws," said U.S. Ranger Ted Penninger. "A DUI off-road is the same as a DUI on road."
Penninger said two to three rangers patrol the dunes, along with deputies from the Imperial County Sheriff's Office. On holiday weekends, he said, there are 50 federal officers at the dunes and ICSO increases its dune patrols with officers from throughout the state.
"Even though they are out there in the middle of nowhere, all the laws apply, even off-road," Penninger said.
There are two sets of laws to follow when playing at the dunes: Federal Bureau of Land Management rules and California state off-highway vehicle laws. The following are the main rules.
BLM REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE IMPERIAL SAND DUNES
*FIREWORKS: Any and all fireworks are prohibited on BLM land.
*RECREATION PERMIT: A permit is required for all vehicles used for transportation to the recreation site. Permits must be purchased on arrival and visibly displayed in the windshield of the vehicle with the date side facing out.
*SAFETY FLAGS: These are required for all vehicles in the recreation area, including two-wheeled motorcycles. All vehicles must be equipped with a whip mast and a 6-by-12-inch red/orange flag or pennant, triangle, square or rectangular shape. Masts must be securely mounted on the vehicle and extend 8 feet from the ground to the mast tip. Safety flags must be attached within 10 inches of the tip of the whip mast with club or other flags mounted below the safety flag or on another whip.
*15 MPH SPEED: An off-highway vehicle must be driven 15 mph on public lands within 500 feet of Highway 78, Gray's Well Road, Gecko Road and access roads within the Gecko and Roadrunner recreation sites.
*NO SAVING SPACES: Reserving of camping spaces is prohibited. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
*FIRES: Burning of potentially hazardous materials such as gas, oil, plastic and magnesium is prohibited.
*NO GLASS BEVERAGE CONTAINERS: Possession or use of any full or empty glass cup or bottle is prohibited.
*NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Drinking or possessing alcoholic beverages, including open containers, while operating in or on a motor vehicle or off-highway vehicle is prohibited. No one under 21 is allowed to be in possession of alcoholic beverages.
*USE OF AUDIO DEVICES: Radios, televisions, musical instruments or other noise-producing devices or motorized equipment cannot be used between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in a manner that disturbs other visitors.
*PUBLIC NUDITY: Public nudity is prohibited.
*UNAUTHORIZED ORGANIZED EVENT: Bands, videos, movies and other events that are not authorized cannot be participated in or sponsored.
*RIDING IN PICKUP BEDS: Riding in the bed of a pickup truck or any part of a motor vehicle not designed for passengers on or off-road is not allowed.
*AIRCRAFT: Taking off or landing of aircraft, including ultralights, is prohibited within one mile of Gecko Road.
*DUMPING: Dumping of sewage and gray water is prohibited.
*CAMPING LIMITATIONS: A 14-day camping limit is in effect.
*PARKING RESTRICTIONS: There is no parking or camping within 10 feet of pavement on Gecko Road.
*SHOOTING: Shooting is prohibited within a half-mile of formal campgrounds and should be conducted well away from other concentrations of people and property.
*LEASH LAW: Animals must be kept on a leash six feet or less and secured to a fixed object or under the control of a person.
*Violation of any of these rules is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a jail term of up to 12 months.
CALIFORNIA OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE LAWS
*HELMET USAGE: Everyone who operates or rides all-terrain vehicles on public lands in California must wear an approved safety helmet.
*PARENTAL SUPERVISION: Children under the age of 14 cannot operate all-terrain vehicles unless they have a California safety certification and are under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.
*REQUIRED RIDER SAFETY TRAINING: No one under the age of 18 can operate an ATV unless he/she has received the safety course in California or another state or is under the direct supervision of an adult who has the appropriate safety certification in his/her possession. For ATV certification information, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-949-727-3727.
*NOISE RESTRICTIONS: Noise from off-highway vehicles cannot be more than 96 decibels if the vehicle was manufactured on or after Jan, 1, 1986, and not more than 101 decibels if manufactured prior to Jan. 1, 1986.
*SIRENS: No off-highway motor vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, can be equipped with a siren.
*CARRYING OF PASSENGERS: No operator of an all-terrain vehicle may carry a passenger when operating on public lands.
*OPERATING AN OHV UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS: It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug to drive a vehicle. Drivers with a suspended or revoked license cannot drive off-road.
*SPEED LAWS: Do not operate an off-highway vehicle faster than is safe for conditions. The speed limit within 50 feet of any campground, campsite or concentration of people or animals is 15 mph.
*REGISTRATION: Vehicles operated on federal and state highways, county roads and Gecko Road, Gray's Well Road and McCain Valley must be licensed for highway use.
Off-highway vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles
and display a valid green sticker or red sticker vehicle identification tag in a clearly visible location on the vehicle.
Off-highway vehicles that do not have a valid registration or permit from the owners' home state will be required to purchase a California nonresident permit through selected vendors or from California Department of Parks and Recreation. Call 1-916-324-4442 for information.
*REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: Any off-highway vehicle must be equipped with an approved muffler, brakes and spark arrester. Headlights and taillights are required for operation at night. Taillights must include at least one red light .
*LIGHT PROHIBITION: A flashing or steady burning red or blue warning light on an off-highway motor vehicle is not permitted, unless an extreme hazard exists.
*ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: Off-highway vehicles cannot be driven in a manner likely to cause environmental damage.
*FIREARMS: Firearms cannot be discharged within 150 yards of recreational areas, campsites, occupied areas, residences, buildings or domestic livestock. No shooting from or across any road or from a vehicle is allowed. Loaded weapons are not
allowed to be carried in vehicles.
*FIREWORKS: They are prohibited on all public land in California and will be seized.
