Date: October 12, 2002

CONTACT: BLM - Diane Hendry at (775) 623-1500

BURNING MAN COMPLIES WITH PERMIT

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Winnemucca Field Office (WFO) has found that the post-event cleanup efforts of the Black Rock City organization were successful in meeting permit requirements. This is the first of two detailed site inspections to assure that no evidence remains of the event. A second inspection is conducted in the spring to look for any small, hidden items that might be brought to the surface by freezing and thawing during the moist winter and spring seasons.

The 2002 event reached a record 29,083 participants with activities lasting 7 days and with support from 20 cooperators. Even with a 14% increase from last year, Burning Man employees and volunteers efficiently and effectively cleaned up the area. Dave Lefevre, Outdoor Recreation Planner for the NCA, said, “The Black Rock City cleanup was an outstanding effort by an organization that is committed to protecting the playa.” The three inspection transects accumulated less than 2 square feet of debris in 300,000 square feet (6.9 acres), which is well within permit cleanup requirements. According to BLM staff, after some moisture to the playa, visitors will not be able to tell there was an activity of this proportion on the playa.

Dave Cooper, Manager of the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA), said, “The BLM found no evidence of environmental damage caused by Burning Man.” Therefore, Black Rock City is in compliance with cleanup stipulations required by the permit. 

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