You play, you pay
You play, you pay - but it's so you can keep playing.
All duners going to the Imperial Sand Dunes need a permit per primary vehicle or otherwise they'll get a citation, according to Neil Hamada, Bureau of Land Management outdoor recreation planner.
The fee revenue collected each year is used to keep up maintenance and operations in the dunes recreational area.
The Bureau of Land Management, the agency that oversees the dunes, collected $3.5 millions from permit fees in the 2007 fiscal year, Hamada said.
The money duners pay goes for such purposes as paying the Imperial County Sheriff's Office for selling and enforcing the permit regulations, the hiring of extra law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel to cover busy holidays and to pay for the permanent staff and rangers at the dunes.
Another portion of the money is used for trash collection, toilet cleaning, road grading in the dunes area, purchase and maintenance of patrol and rescue vehicles, and general operations.
The permit is required immediately upon arrival at the recreation area, which consists of the Imperial Sand Dunes recreation area and its one-mile planning area boundary.
Seven-day permits cost $25 and are valid for seven days upon entry in the area, while season permits are $90 and are valid from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
THE LIST
Here are some rules to remember about permit usage, according to the Imperial County Sheriff Permit Enforcement Division Web site:
*Permit valid only for one primary vehicle and cannot be shared.
*Permit must be displayed at all times while in dunes.
*Good at Imperial Sand Dunes only.
*Permits from other areas are not valid in dunes.
*Owners of vehicles not having a permit or those using a permit unlawfully, will be ticketed and will face a fine.
*Always secure your vehicle and permit.
Duners can buy permits in the following ways:
*Over the phone by calling the toll-free number 800-278-0165.
*On site where Imperial County Sheriff's Office personnel will be available near the recreation area's major entry points.
*Online at www.imperialsanddunes.org.
Permits can also be purchased from these area merchants:
*American Sand Toys, 2786 E. Highway 95; phone 344-5380. Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*Ultimate OffRoad, 2766 S. Avenue 3E; phone 341-1158. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon.
*KD Enterprises/ KD Cycle, 2341 E. 16th St.; 329-1908. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
