Matthew Finley

Publisher: American Sand Association (ASA)

A United States Border Patrol agent was killed recently while attempting to stop two alledged smuggler's vehicles in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) near Yuma, Arizona. The incident prompted the publication of an article which falsely claims that dune users would strongly support closure of the area in order to reduce illegal activity.

On Saturday, January 19, 2008 while attempting to stop the two fleeing vehicles in the ISDRA, 32 year old Senior Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, a husband, father and six-year veteran of the agency was laying spike strips across the road when he was fatally struck by one of the speeding vehicles. Both vehicles escaped into Mexico; the investigation is ongoing.

The Los Angeles Times published an article by reporter “XXXXXXXXXXX”, titled "XXXXXXXXXXXX", which argues that closure of the dunes south of Interstate 8 is the most effective means of inhibiting the trafficking of drugs and illegal immigrants in the area.

The reporter falsely claims that dune users support a proposed closure. He makes this claim because, during the course of an interview with a Border Patrol official in the dunes, a group of dune recreationalists approached the BP official and the reporter to express their sympathy for the loss of the agent and to express their appreciation for the service of the USBP in the dunes. The reporter asked the recreationalists if they would be concerned if the dunes south of I-8 were closed to assist in border issues. The recreationalists responded that they did not want to lose the riding area, but that if it would help to control the issues at hand they could live with such a closure.

While most any steward of the dunes would answer the reporters question in the same manner, the LA Times takes a stern slant towards the closure of these dunes. Simply put, an expression that we are law abiding recreationalists is not to be construed into a Duners call for closure. Further the eyes of thousands of dune visitors serve as a valuable tool in reporting suspicious activity to the USBP, 'closure' of this area would be a step of digression towards enforcement. Contrary to the reporter's claim, dune users are not in support of closure of the area until other more logical steps are taken.

The USBP has increased their enforcement to address the smugglers in this area. Last month, the USBP enacted a Zero Tolerance policy for dune traffic that crosses over the Border, citing fines, arrest and / or vehicle seizure as potential penalties. In addition, the USBP has increased in the number of agents and added the new South Dunes Operation Center [scheduled for completion by March 1st].

The American Sand Association (ASA) with 50,000 members vehemently oppose any closure of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The ASA and its members have set up a Memorial Fund for Agent Aguilar.