" The protection our dunes need is from the anti-access environmental extremists. It is one thing to want to ban snowmobiles from yellowstone park, but to reduce acreage in an arid dune for not better reason than a plant (weed) with no discernable link to the food chain is absurd. Too the people who think these out of towners don't spend a lot of money here, you must turn a blind eye during busy weekends, I have already had discussions with cinoreah, and no she can't see the duners at restruants, but they are there. Vons parking lot; packed on a friday. Those so-called price gouging gas stations at the edge of town seem to have a steady line-up at their pumps, etc, etc. "

" A quote from Nicole Gilles:“I believe that it is a very positive aspect to the tourism here in Imperial County,” she said. “The desert is a tremendous asset we have, and that’s why we go to great lengths to protect it.” A question for Ms. Gilles: How does she propose that inviting increasing hordes of pollution-spewing, dust-raising, ear-splittingly noisy machines across the beautiful deserts of Imperial County is going to protect the desert? Does anyone want to consider the impacts to the already deplorable air quality of Imperial County and to the health of its citizens and the impacts to the plants and animals that take a hit from all this profitable recreation? "

" No matter what, bucks do make the world (our world) go round. And all the local businesses welcome the out of towners with open arms. So a negative attitude never crosses their minds, as long as the long green keeps coming in! "

" rich people spend alot--other people bring what they need and the out of town desert rats trash the valley,clog the roads and think the locals owe them. "

" cinoreah...I doubt if that was any intelligent person who made that quote, it was probably some teenager who goes to the desert on his parent's dime who doesn't have clue about what makes the Valley's economy hum. "

" I saw a comment earlier about "if not for us duners, Brawley and Westmorland would be ghost towns with closed businesses" but I can't find it now. My response to that is...typical big city mentality. Wonder how it is we maintain during the off season? Haven't seen any grocery stores, restaurants, fast food joints or gas stations closed recently. To this commenter...don't presume to think 'you' duners support this Valley the 3 or 4 months months you come down here. We do just fine during the summer months when you wimp out and don't come down. Arrogance at its best...get over yourselves. "

" lucylls.....I tend to agree with you. Yes, there are those who stop at various stores/restaurants, but it is a stretch to think even a small majority of the estimated 150,000 stop at the local businesses. Most are just trying to get in or out of Dodge. Like you, it makes sense that most come with their own supplies. "

" We just want to get to the desert & avoid lines at the stores...gas stations etc..so we come prepared. I agree more with like $100-250 spending range. Usually we already have the trailer fridge full with food, snacks etc... Sometimes we will stop at a grocery store & buy less than $100 for a family of 4. Hauling the toy box doesn't really waste that much more gas for our 2 hour trip. We take extra gas cans, but usually make it with a full tank-round trip. "

" with gas prices what they are, i believe it. the RV's they bring, the trailer full of toys they pull right behind them. these are the type of people who have money to spend. let's say they need some ice. you know when they go to the stores they just don't buy ice especially if you have kids and teens wanting everything else and a quick drive thru mcdonalds or jack in the box. and that is just when they are getting here. then when they leave its the same thing, "can we stop at jack in the box, or mcdonalds? i'm hungry." "we need gas." uh oh we got a flat, our battery went dead, etc,etc,. the things we go through in a month here they(the duners) probably go through in that weekend. money well spent. "

" I like the idea of the Valley hosting a major off road event like the Baja series. A major televised event counting towards National Championships would bring in huge revenue. However, unlike Mexico, in the USA we have more restrictions such as BLM, environmentalists, anthropologists, insurance liability issues, etc etc that would have to be addressed before a profitable event could be pulled off...but the Valley Board of Directors and the Economic Commission should absolutely look in this if it hasn't been already! It could be a windfall for the Valley and what better place to have it then within 3 hours of metropolitan Los Angeles? "

" ThinkAboutIt...I fully agree with you. Hard to imagine a 5-15 year old family member would be spending that much money while in the desert. Even if they come into town to eat, that's still a HUGE stretch. The majority of expenses would, I think, be in the form of the gas guzzlers they drive and the amount of fuel the duners purchase. I am NOT buying the $1000.00 per family of 4 while here. Not at all. "

" I think Imperial Valley is wasting opportunities to create more revenue. We have such big open areas that invites to create a mini baja race maybe a 250 baja. We have the terrain and if we invite proffesional races I think It will be a possitive impact to our economy. Every Year I see many people heading to baja score races to Mexico, maybe its time to create a baja style offroad race in the Imperial Valley. "

" I have a hard time believing they are spending $300 per person in Imperial Valley, but who knows. "