Glamis: Ted Kipf Road still blocked to off-highway vehicles
Source: Ted Kipf Road to Glamis dunes not open to off-highway vehicles
By ELIZABETH VARIN, Staff Writer
Thursday, November 26, 2009
GLAMIS — With the largest visitation weekend here, the road that allows off-roaders to travel along the eastern dunes will only allow street-legal vehicles.
Ted Kipf Road is not open for off-highway vehicles, said Dunes Manager Neil Hamada. It is a matter of safety and conservation. It is illegal to drive parallel to a highway or to cross railroad tracks in an off-highway vehicle, like an ATV or dune buggy, he said. In that area, it’s unsafe to do so.
A few years ago, three minors died while trying to cross the railroad tracks, he said.
“We don’t want to see that happen again,” he said.
The area is also not an open area, like the rest of the dunes, he said. There is a problem when trying to conserve natural resources if off-highway vehicles are there.
“We’re not doing it just to do it,” he said. “We have a reason why. We don’t want to see anyone hurt.”
Thanksgiving weekend is usually the largest visitation weekend, he said. People have been arriving since last week.
The county has been working to make the area a combined-use road, said Public Works Director Bill Brunet. However, some issues have arisen with the California Highway Patrol that has put a stop to the plans. Part of the problem is connectivity, he said. There is no way to get to the road without crossing railroad tracks or driving on a small portion of highway.
The county has put a lot of time and effort into trying to make the change, but it may be at a standstill, he said.
“The county has gone as far it can,” he said. “Right now they have some issues that are going to hold us off.”
The county is not giving up, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Wally Leimgruber.
“We are still exploring what conditions need to be in place for the road to have a combined-use designation,” he said.
More information on the Imperial Sand Dunes:
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