The Final Environmental Impact Statement: Black Rock City’s Future

The Bureau of Land Management published Burning Man’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Friday, June 14. We’ve spent the past few days reading it and assessing what the agency’s new requirements mean for Black Rock City. It’s going to take time to fully understand what impacts BLM’s changes will have, and we’ll bring more details to you in the coming weeks, but we want to give you an update now and share what we know about some of our biggest issues with the EIS.

Burning Man 2019

First, while there have been some questions about 2019 since the EIS was published, let’s be clear: Black Rock City 2019 is happening. Like you, we’re deep into planning for the event, so don’t hesitate to keep cranking on those amazing projects, art installations, mutant vehicles and theme camps. We’re looking forward to yet another incredible Burning Man event.

Our population for 2019 will be capped at a total of 80,000 people, which is almost the same as 2018. When we set out on this EIS journey, we had no immediate plans to grow, and that is still the case. We wanted to understand the potential impacts of growth before making decisions about whether to increase Black Rock City’s population or not. This EIS is designed to give data on how our activities affect the environment and surrounding communities. A possible population bump in the future is still on the table, but for 2019 we are satisfied to remain steady.

Dumpsters in Black Rock City

Many of you submitted comments in response to the Draft EIS challenging BLM’s requirement for dumpsters (NAT-2 and WHS-1) in Black Rock City. We strenuously objected in our comments as well (see Attachment 2 in Volume 2 of the FEIS). The agency’s proposed solution far outstripped any existing problem and they didn’t provide an analysis of the environmental impacts.

Outcome: BLM has now indicated they will impose this mitigation in the future ONLY IF it is needed to address unsolved issues identified by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe or Nevada Department of Transportation. What this means is that we have an opportunity to prevent having dumpsters on the playa, but to do this we must all dramatically change the way we manage our waste stream. While our actions in removing detritus from the playa surface are superb, we’re simply not doing a good enough job disposing of our trash after we leave Black Rock City. Trash can NOT be left in a pile on the roadside in the Paiute Nation; it can NOT be left at an I-80 or any other public highway rest stop or dumpster; it can NOT be left in the trash behind a business in Reno, Sparks, Winnemucca, Nevada City, Salt Lake City … or any spot on your drive home from Black Rock City.

We must all do better — even one person’s misstep affects us all — to prevent dumpsters in Black Rock City from becoming our new reality. Burning Man’s Survival Guide has helpful guidelines, tips, tricks, and a list of approved disposal locations, so you can do your part (and make sure your friends do too!), and the Leave Nevada Beautiful hang-tag given to every vehicle entering Black Rock City has the same list. Every one of us needs to participate in keeping public dumpsters out of Black Rock City.

Physical Barriers

Hundreds of you submitted comments to the Draft EIS in response to BLM’s recommendation that we place nearly 10 miles of impenetrable physical security barriers (PHS-3) around the perimeter of Black Rock City. We opposed this proposal in our official comments as well (see Attachment 2 in Volume 2 of the FEIS).

Outcome: This mitigation will likely not be required for 2019, and we have the opportunity to avoid it in the future. Securing the boundary of Black Rock City has always been a priority to Burning Man — while Radical Inclusion is one of our core principles, trespassing in Black Rock City without a ticket will not be tolerated. We will continue to maintain a secure perimeter, including working closely with law enforcement to enforce that perimeter. If we do so, there will be no need for impenetrable physical barriers around Black Rock City.

Vehicle Screening by BLM Security

This proposal is one of our gravest concerns. BLM has proposed employing a private security force at all points of entry into the event to screen vehicles, participants, vendors, contractors, staff and volunteers for banned or illegal contraband and (unsettlingly vague) “significant concerns.” Individuals found to be in possession of these items would be handed directly to law enforcement.

Outcome: This mitigation will likely not be implemented for 2019, and we may have the opportunity to prevent it in the future. This proposal from BLM represents a massive shift from Burning Man’s 30-year history running our own operations to BLM running certain Black Rock City operations, without our coordination, and without our control over the costs or implementation. It also subjects a peaceable gathering of people to searches without probable cause other than a desire to attend Burning Man. We’ve submitted our serious concerns to the BLM (see Attachment 2 in Volume 2 of the FEIS) about the significant constitutional, civil rights, environmental, cultural and operational impacts of this proposal. This is one requirement we are prepared to push back on, and we will keep you posted as we better understand the situation and what can be done about it.

Other BLM Requirements That Can Affect Your Burn

There are a few other mitigations that may directly affect your Burn. If you want to bring a lodging structure over 10 feet tall that wasn’t expressly manufactured for that purpose, we’ll need to inspect it. If you’re planning to transport a large art installation through BLM-managed lands outside of our closure area, you will need to get prior authorization from the BLM. Burning Man Project will be made to pay “a reclamation bond sufficient to remove large art installations and theme camp materials left behind after Exodus.” We’ll be conducting an oil drip survey to assess how much, if any, oil is deposited on the playa surface during the event. There may be additional restrictions imposed on light emissions, and you will see BLM personnel and contractors monitoring many aspects of Black Rock City (Final EIS Volume 2 Appendix E), including the local brachiopod population.

We Already Do This

While it may be confusing for EIS readers, many of the mitigations and monitoring listed in Appendix E that appear to be new requirements are, in fact, brief descriptions of our existing operations in Black Rock City (some of which were taken from our original EIS proposal). You should know that we pioneered and created our own playa restoration operation and fuel prevention and response plan. Our Black Rock Rangers enforce speed limits on the playa, and for six years we have limited the number of vehicles entering Black Rock City. And, of course, for over 20 years we have been patrolling area hot springs to prevent degradation from increased visitor use over the Labor Day weekend.

Future Steps

We still have questions for BLM and will be working with them to understand their new requirements when the Record of Decision is published in the middle of July. We will also be working to ensure that concerns expressed by BLM, members of the public, and our cooperating agencies are addressed in future years.

We want to thank you again for your continued interest in the EIS process and for your incredible support. We have been reminded again and again that our community is articulate, well-read, driven to help create change, and can eloquently defend the event and the culture when put to the test. Thank you.


Top photo by Wayne Stadler

About the author: Burning Man Project

Burning Man Project

The official voice of the Burning Man organization, managed by Burning Man Project's Communications Team.

95 Comments on “The Final Environmental Impact Statement: Black Rock City’s Future

  • Nexus says:

    Thank you for this breakdown!

    Report comment

    • D. Patrick Eyre says:

      One way of thinking about this is as a problem of “radical inclusion” beyond the bounds of Burning Man. How are others, and their concerns (no matter how poorly formed) included in the Burning Man process?

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    • Matt says:

      Thanks for this detailed update! To me this is all great news! It’s another Burn and a whole year in between to show how our event already complied with their wishes…it’s an opportunity for us to walk the walk. The trash and other impacts by a very small percentage of the population of Burning Man puts us and our event at risk. The survey that you have to do about living by the 10 principles when you sign up for the WWW guide is great! We need to collectively self enforce (somehow). The BLM clearly is giving us a chance.

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  • Randy says:

    I say it now as I have before. Find a piece of land, maybe a tribe, give them the money and keep BLM off our backs. And, oh by the way, I do not say this because of drugs, I don’t use, and I don’t think people should.

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    • Crissa says:

      It’s not BLM, it’s conservatives. Do you think conservatives will just go away if we try to avoid them?

      Remember to vote. It hasn’t been Democrats trying to screw with Burning Man, so they’re the most likely ally.

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      • Poot says:

        Democrats will just as likely fuck with Burning Man if it wins them elections.

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      • Workerbee says:

        Plenty of conservatives attend BM, I bet it’s at least 35 percent

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      • Fluttermuffin says:

        Yeah you are not too far off with 35% conservatives. I’ve volunteered for census and it’s def higher than you’d think. But think about it…it’s a fully functioning diverse city. And conservatives and libertarians like the whole safety third, let’s blow some shit up game too! I remember in 2015-2016 I saw so many trump stickers and signs on the playa, especially walk in camping. Hmm? The surrounding towns are all super conservative as well. I don’t think the issues we are facing can be blamed solely on politics. It’s money in the end!

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      • Mark says:

        as if Burning Man is the one issue that determines whether on votes Democrat or Republican

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      • Fuckerpants says:

        Please dont blanket blame conservatives – thats just stupid closed minded thinking – there are way more of us attend BM than you think.

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      • Duuude says:

        Foolish response.
        I’m a conservative who doesn’t give a rats ass who marries who, am pro-marijuana, and wants this country and it’s people to be secure, fairly treated individually and internationally. And a burner each year since 07′. I’ve been a BM volunteer several years.
        Foolish Response.

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      • Maurice J Tierney says:

        What’s a “conservative” anyway? Only a word used to divide people. Same with “Liberal”

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      • Glo says:

        You obviously haven’t seen Joe Biden’s speech on targeting and shutting down “raves” of any kind, even “in the middle of the desert “. You can find it on you tube. Pretty sure he’s a Dem.

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      • beljar says:

        i don’t think it’s ordinary conservatives. i think it is the current ultra conservative administration trying to get rid of burningman.

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  • Superguru says:

    ✌❤️
    Jia You!!!

    Report comment

  • Samson says:

    Thank you! Hopefully now people will stop saying g the BLM wants to take urine samples at the gate

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  • JasoFett says:

    I agree with Randy.

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  • Shitlord says:

    Building inspections to allow us to sleep in something more than 10 feet tall? Fuck them. I can’t believe you are prepared to let them do this to us. In what possible universe is this an environmental concern? If the BLM is going to start guaranteeing the health and safety of everyone using public lands, they are idiots. Let the injury lawsuits begin. I’m pretty sure I fell off an un-inspected rock in the Owyhee Desert last year. Apparently that’s their responsibility.

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    • Lordoftheshits says:

      If you have a problem, maybe step up yourself, rather than sit on the internet and cry that a bunch of volunteers aren’t making your vacation spot as nice as you like. (Or maybe the 12th principle is radical entitled whinging?)

      Report comment

      • Mobiusknots says:

        has got to be too big . now they see profit to be made . Government is the same everywhere .Now the local .The end is coming .Will be there this year to say goodbye .

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      • Shitlord says:

        What are you proposing I personally do? I tried commenting on the Draft EIS. I explained nicely to BLM that building inspections have zero to do with the environment and were out of scope for an EIS. They ignored me, just like they ignored the ORGs objections. What’s the next step I could personally take? Do you want me to send a letter bomb to Washington?

        No, I prefer to suggest that we tell them to fuck off. On site if necessary. What people aren’t getting here is that this makes someone other than the builder of janky shit liable for the collapse of janky shit. And that, my friend, is truly the end of Burning Man. No person or entity or idiot government agency can afford to accept that massive responsibility during a week long camp out with 80,000 people. This entire event is built on Radical Self Reliance and this is diametrically opposed to that.

        Burning Man’s insurance company cannot insure everyone’s health and safety. That’s why is says what it says on the ticket. And if the BLM says they take responsibility for the health and safety of people using public lands, they are smoking dope. Impossible. Bankrupting. Do you see the problem? This is an open-ended catastrophe.

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    • Capt Wade says:

      I think their concern is for preventing anyone from getting hurt, from some poorly constructed platform collapsing and hurting people. I have personally seen people sleeping in portable structures that were three stories tall, and weaving about in the wind, when one of their guide-wires pulled up and it almost fell.

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      • Robert X. Planet says:

        The good Captain is probably right about some of those flimsy, towering structures we’ve all seen, sometimes used for sleeping, waving about in a howling windstorm! As long as it’s Burning Man’s own officials doing the inspecting–as they do for proposed fire features–I don’t see the problem with that rule. (BTW, the correct term is GUY WIRES! Let’s end nomenclature abuse now!)

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    • Capt'n Clipboard says:

      Come on guys.. Safety 3rd.

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  • Spacecat says:

    Can you have people at exodus who are already
    there helping with traffic flow take all those hours
    we are pulsing and check loads? The hefty bags
    strewn all over the road do not help our cause
    and it is not because they throw the trash out the window.

    Report comment

    • Pyrate says:

      I think that is a good idea. Inspecting loads on the way out would be much more productive than inspecting vehicles on the way in!

      Report comment

      • A-bomb says:

        Or how about radical self-reliance. It isn’t the job of GPE staff and volunteers to hand-hold participants on how to properly stow/rig their loads. The job of GPE staff and volunteers during exodus is to get people off-playa and onto the highway in an orderly fashion, and to not overload CR34 and all roads downstream. Expecting a burning man department to do any hand-holding in this respect runs against the principles of the event and creates more room for people to be flaky. Packing it out is not that hard. Raise your hand if you almost had a major accident during exodus because some fucking hippie didn’t secure a load and you almost crashed into a loose bike or a bunch of garbage on the middle of the highway. That is not now, nor should it ever be, the responsibility of anyone running the event in any official capacity. every camper should have a solid exit strategy to get themselves and all their shit home. Full stop.

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    • gotcha! says:

      Sounds like you just volunteered to start a team. Don’t ask for any resources for 3 years.

      Report comment

  • Doug T says:

    One way to reduce roadside trash would be to work with the local county authorities to open regular landfills that are normally closed on Sunday and Memorial Day. I maybe we can pay them enough to stay open full time for the 72 hour stretch from Sunday till Tuesday. Or hire our own people to staff it.

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  • Foghorn says:

    Thank you for sharing this, and for everything you’re doing to reasonably resolve these BLM conversations!

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  • John Barleycorn says:

    Basically, the chickens are coming home to roost in our trash. I can’t believe it’s taken this long with all the littering and dumping that has been going on. Unfortunately, dumpsters are probably inevitable, but I fear that even they won’t solve the problem, which is, in fact, a “cultural” problem every bit as pernicious as PnP, Sherpas, and “Influencers. It seems like the compulsion to produce and scatter trash is a deep-rooted trait among homo consumerensis.

    Cheers everybody, and have a good night. (Don’t forget to take out the trash!)

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  • Confused says:

    some of this is about the 747, isn’t it

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  • Greg Briggs says:

    I bet there are a bunch of you that wish you got in on the BM ground floor, before the event got all political and full of rules. Here is your chance…find your favorite regional that has extra tickets and things aren’t quite ridiculously amazing. Those are the events where our attention should turn.

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    • Lazer Eraser says:

      /\ THIS! /\

      80,000 people? Come now, nobody rational can think that an event with that many people, in a sensitive desert environment, is a sensible idea. There’s no sense in an event based on ethics that are fundamentally environmentally aware, anarchic and civic-minded being that size, none whatsoever. Not when it has inevitable negative commercial, cultural and environmental impacts.

      Nothing about the event’s history or culture ever indicated or encouraged rampant growth as the direction it should grow in – the original ethos was always about independent creative clusters – and those are THE REGIONALS. It’s the Regionals that can and do grow to the appropriate size, and – sorry Marian, Danger, Harley, Ra$pa, Megs and everyone else but it’s true – it’s the Regionals where the true ethos lives on, and is thriving. BRC is becoming a hollow shell, increasingly filled up with the wrong kinda influencers, drunk assholes and peacocking projects that are funded by patrons who come with terms that ultimately mean compromises when it comes to the ethics of this culture. At least, this is my understanding of the Regionals I have been to: they don’t explode into 40 and 50 000 people (even those that have been around a long time) and because of that, they face way less challenges in terms of keeping shit real. Hell – and this is gonna hurt some folks, but screw it, it’s time for tough love:

      the regionals are more Burning Man than Black Rock City.

      And then there are those huge megabucks dancefloor brands… don’t get me wrong (I’m a DJ, and have been for 20 years) but take it from me: world-class stadium-size rigs attract world-class headline egos… and world-class headliners attract stadium size assholes. And the shitshow of influencers and social media portrayal of BRC and Burner culture just follows in that wake… and we all know how that’s playing out these days. BRC in the mind of party lovers is Party Central. But it’s not a party. It was never just a party. And it should not be just a goddamn party: if it’s a party you want, hey, Google is your friend, and there are many many many options out there with world-class sound systems, world-class headliners and stadium-size commodification aspects that will wipe your ass, give you a soft bed and happily take your cash for overpriced booze and a good time. But the burn was never about that – though it now attracts people who look for that, and have expectations that someone will provide it. And they do – and those are the compromises I’ve been referring to. Those are the offsets of the patronage network and the ‘pragmatisms’ that Outside Services exemplifies.

      I love BRC, but I’ve been to other Regionals, and man – they’re where it’s at and it’s them that you’ll find me at. I can’t justify my personal contribution to the annual BRC ratrun any longer. I will always love every single person I’ve met on the way, on DPW, Resto, and also across the whole of the organisation (apart from a couple of true fuckdoodles that play the corporate game) but I can’t and won’t picture it as sunshine and love in the dust when I know first-hand how much money’s involved and how fucked over the Pauite and surrounding communities get, every year. And in the process, a long list of truly solid and worthy people have seen their dreams drained and stomped on by party lovers who trash the desert, the art and the culture. Nah. I’m out – out there, on the frontier, on the perimeter, at a regional.

      I love you BRC, but you won’t see me any more. It’s not me, it’s you – and if you wanna see me again, come and join me at a regional. That’s where the magic’s at now.

      Too big, too much, too far gone. Bye.

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  • Cindy says:

    Why does everyone ignore the rebar that gets hammered into the playa every year? Newbies don’t know how to remove rebar, so thousands of them hammer it down. Leave no trace – that can be seen. That entire region needs to be combed by metal detectors. If you think BM leaves no trace, you’re full of S.

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  • Vera Ginzbourg says:

    What about additional $10 “garbage disposal” ticket fee that results in a “2bag” voucher that people can use to get rid of their garbage as soon as they leave or even at exodus? ( there are plenty of people collecting for $5, but somehow people still dump it for free). Perhaps if it was included, this problem would be solved? No one wants to bring garbage home with them…

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    • Alex Novosad says:

      +1 Taking garbage home is a cute idea, but the smell is terrible for long drives and gets imbedded into cars. Absolutely dumpsters along the road should be provided, at minimal cost or just added to ticket price. Hauling garbage back is like holding your pee for 8 hours – not very practical. Better that than dumpsters on the playa, a minimal compromise. Yes, it’s not as “pure” as before but change is part of life and this is a practical compromise to prevent much worse things.

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  • tony says:

    I agree with RANDY..

    ps. Keep your comments here brief. No one want to read a lengthy diatribe on what you think…you’re not that important or interesting.

    Report comment

  • Blue Coyote says:

    Thanks for the update, but the words “will likely not be required” (for 2019) is less than reassuring. “Not likely” is not a resounding “Will not occur” so what are the odds of these issues actually affecting the 2019 burn? 50/50? 60/40?
    Of course, 2020 is anyone’s guess. But, I’ll hazard a guess, the 11th BM Principle will now be: Acquiescence, the principle that the BLM will impose its will at will and participants will either accept the changes or or stop attending.
    Welcome to the Playa Police State.
    It’s a Brave New World where
    Limits=Freedom, Restrictions=Flexibility, and most importantly, Control=Happiness.
    Metamorphosis? Be careful what you ask for!

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  • Southern AZ Desert says:

    We have an administration attempting to build a wall (much of which is completed) from San Diego to Brownsville without so much as concern about flora fauna, water movement or species encroachment. This is a political issue for which BRC has been targeted by someone that wants it to go away and has the authority over BLM.

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    • BurnedOut says:

      Agreed!
      Burning since 2003 and I’ve said it ever since that BLM is and never was our friend. We’re not going this year and perhaps never will again.
      BM is turning into a Repressive Holiday Campout.
      Fuck it !

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  • SinglePly says:

    BM: Can you please add more streets? It’s getting too dense and overcrowded out there.

    Report comment

    • Hunter says:

      I believe they are adding a street this year as more pre-placed camps; theme, art support, BM department camps etc utilize more Black Rock city space. The MAN will be moved approximately 100ft to the north to accommodate this extra street/open camping area thus reducing the general Playa permit acreage out to Point 3 which means there will be Art placed on a ‘smaller’ Playa.

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  • Meat Hunter says:

    I suspect that my recommendation most probably will not be possible; It would be nice if BM owned a large enough piece of property so that we would not have to use BLM or other Government land.

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  • Dapper says:

    One thing that occurs to me regarding trash is all of those “$5 a bag” roadside stands along the highway. Though I certainly wouldn’t make blanket assumptions about the folks running those “businesses,” I think it reasonable to guess that some percentage of them are not the most reliable chaps.

    Is there good reason not to fear that at least some of them deposit said trash in some of the places under complaint? Of course burners would get blamed, so there’s reduced incentive for them to pay dump fees.

    That is not to say that no participants dump illegally, but even if we miraculously eliminated all of our bad apples, I am concerned that we could still look pretty guilty.

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  • David says:

    An H-15 Hexayurt is 10′ high at its center. Does that mean the Org will be inspecting half the yurts on the playa?

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    • Diesel Liesel says:

      They said it only needs to be inspected if it’s over ten feet and not made for that purpose to begin with. Since a yurt is made to be that tall, it doesn’t need to be inspected.

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  • Fearless says:

    To all those that are dealing with this scenario – Thank You. Regardles of whether you are paid, volunteering or a humble reticant participant, it’s got to be a PITA. And you are handling it nobly.

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  • OBi says:

    Bman should just hire a few dump trucks or and or dumpsters near the exit and allow burners to dump there free of charge. Its a small price to pay and a solution to people needing to dispose of their trash.

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  • Obi says:

    I think the majority of us are most turned off by the blanket vehicle searches. That turns this event upside down as far as what we choose to enjoy. For many partaking in certain situations is the greatest part of the burn. Having that wiped away or so dangerous its not possible would alter this event to the point that its not itself anymore.

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    • roissy says:

      Just wait until the body cavity searches begin…

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    • burningJohnDoe says:

      On our way in, we were all harassed last year on 447 and 34 by flying canine units. Stopped and searched even in the middle of the night.
      BM volunteers are now trained like security guards[I know what I’m talking about].
      It’s going to be real fun once they start airport style searches at the entrance of the Man.
      After 16 years not going this year. Considering South Africa in 2020.

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      • Queen M says:

        Not sure why they think they have the right to ignore all of our civil rights, just assume that we are all breaking laws. Search first, ask questions later. Not to mention the nightmare this scenario would create.

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  • Boyscout says:

    *faceplam*

    Your links in the “Dumpsters in Black Rock City” to the Guide sorta don’t work. It doesn’t let us read anything, and says “the 2019 guide is coming”. Doesn’t do us any good for right NOW, reading this.

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  • Bruce Hansen says:

    Don’t forget that some people are flying out, and cannot take their trash on the plane.
    One burn I went to had huge trash bins for everyone to use. That was very nice, not having to take your trash home with you, smelling it all the way. This might also help with
    People making sure they picked up all their trash.

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  • Karen Murphy says:

    If Dumpsters, Physical Barriers and Security Screenings are on the horizon as “options under discussion” how about the option of “radical dispersion” instead of inclusion? Make Burning Man a non-location-specific event by linking ad-hoc satellite groups (with same principles) via Internet/Skyping – find a different way to gather? go smaller-scale to become even larger?
    -Case

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  • Echo says:

    Burning Man says the screening of participants for contraband likely won’t happen in 2019, but the BLM says it will. I for one, will not allow an unconstitutional search, simply because I plan to attend a private event. Burning Man needs to let us know soonest if the BLM is going to implement this decision. We need time to get the lawyers ready.

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  • Scar butt says:

    You don’t have to haul garbage out that you don’t bring in. Last year I had approximately 1 paper safeway bag to dispose of after the event containing mostly paper and flattened tin cans. Proper packing before the event and eating like you are back packing instead of staying at a hotel with room service to take away the dishes will eliminate about 90 percent of your waste. Think before you cram that kiddy pool and over stuffed couch in the back of your corolla and you will be righteous . Also it is entirely possible to spend 2 weeks in the desert without any ice. Dry salami and velveeta cheese(unlimited shelf life without refrigeration) is your friend here along with dried fruit, mixed nuts and crackers. Tea and coffee don’t need ice and you can put booze in both of them.

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  • Vernburner says:

    Vehicle searches… “will and not” separated by “likely” in the verbiage… I assess contracts and similar BS all the time, let this be a warning to all cause it’s gonna happen. It doesn’t effect me in the realm of a Drug arrest, but it will because the wait time getting in will be dramatically increased.Pack like this is imminent, this works in everyone’s best interest. Don’t bring stinky drugs to begin with, become a more proficient packer/traveler, minimize the hideous wait at the gate so we can get on with the show!

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  • Victor Stevens says:

    It is hard to see “searches for contraband” as anything but harassment. And how is this an environmental issue?

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  • Jersey jon says:

    When I see BLM wants boarders, searches, and inspections, I ask myself the most simplest of questions; Why? On the surface it appears for our safety. We’ve accepted these risks. Read the back of the ticket. We’re all ok with that, so should they. Not acceptable. We’re self policing and I will say pretty good at it. Go rangers.

    On the trash. We need to step up our game. Dump seems best idea. We’re creative, let’s solve this problem.

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  • Doug says:

    One word: MOVE !

    Maid Marion recently said in writing that BLM security at the gate would not be acceptable and a new location had already been identified. So, execute, rather than backtrack on that pledge. With a 4-lane road it will be easy to bump the population cap to cover the cost for relocating from Nevada to Utah, and/or pocket the amount currently being taken as the Nevada State Entertainment tax to cover relocation costs.

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  • Quickwit says:

    Less than true statements like this leave little doubt as t which arrogant assholes are responsible for burners getting searched upon entry.

    “While BRC shares BLM’s concern for event safety, there is no evidence in the PHSR or elsewhere that either firearms or illegal drug use present a health and safety issue of any significance at the Burning Man event.” – Burning Man Project, K2-63, FEIS

    Thanks, Burning Man Project.

    P.s. the person that wrote this should be fired. At the very least, cease and desist speaking as if you represent the good people within the BRC community. You don’t; you are the problem.

    Quickwit

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  • David says:

    Leave no trace! Your garbage is stinky. You agreed to pack it out when you bought your ticket. Now you and your garbage get to take the ride.

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  • Bob says:

    I agree with BLM when it comes to the trash situation. One only needs to drive a few miles outside of Black Rock to see that Leave No Trace is a joke. There has to be a better way to ensure people radically limit the waste they create while providing a way to properly dispose of waste that will inherently be created. Maybe have an option where you want to ride your bike to the edge of the playa where you can drop off trash and pay $5 per bag. Or have camps that collect and separate/burn/haul trash.

    Also, Black Rock does not define Burning Man. The people do. The organization should consider purchasing land for the event and not be beholden to BLM and the local Tribes.

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  • Lederhosen Juergen says:

    “Leaving stuff at the side of the road” is not a big issue – it should be easily mitigated by BRC Staff. I observed only This is the 5 in 70,000 burner issue – which means a less than 1/1000 percent are still BAD burners.

    Let us continue as is and pay the Indian Nation for trash services on the way out… individually ! It’s a win-win.

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  • lederhosen juergen says:

    Thank you for keeping us informed. It is appreciated for all those other burners with normal jobs

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  • Safety Commander says:

    The $5/$10 garbage places on the road out are allowed, correct?? Given ticket prices and general cost, why on earth are people taking the risk dumping garbage? Split between friends, the cost to dispose garbage is less/equal to home garbage fees.

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  • splat says:

    The fucking garbage along the highway blows.
    I hope that’s succinct enough.

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  • Eagle Eye says:

    Crazy question… because I really don’t have enough information to make an intelligent assessment. Many municipalities now have garbage incinerators that have little to no negative output to the air, and which also create electricity. Is it even remotely possible, and feasible, that a portable unit could be utilized on the Playa or in Gerlach?

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  • Kfox says:

    Thank you for the breakdown! About leaving no trace along our routes home: I just popped over to the online Survival Guide like this post suggests, and there’s nothing new in it about the BLM stipulations in the EIS that we *must* not leave any garbage by the side of the highway or in neighboring towns as we exit to avoid having dumpsters in out future. Sure, theres the “Leave Nevada Beautiful” network (in operation since 2007 but I’ve been Burning since 2011 and this is the first time I’m hearing of this network…), but nothing in it that suggests how critical this part is for our sustainable future. I suggest that we put this is the survival guide, afterall, virgins are the ones who get the most from that guide, and the ones most likely to make an error in judgement while on the road home.

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  • 2 Big says:

    The org needs to stop with this ridiculous and quite frankly foolish push for 100k. The local infrastructure cant handle it and the locals dont want it. The amount of regulation required for the proposed size increase at that site has done enough damage to the event and it now threatens its very existence. Do an about face, cap it at 50k or else risk losing it all.

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  • Tempo says:

    Good to hear that agencies are willing to keep moving forward and support BM. Improvements can only help make the events reputation increase for the good and give clarity for those who don’t know how to make the experience their best!

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  • Jems says:

    Hello – this link in your blogpost doesn’t work. Thanks!!

    http://survival.burningman.org/leave-no-trace/pack-it-out/

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