Following the release Burning Man‘s final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), organizers have great news — Black Rock City 2019 is most definitely happening, though any expansion is not.
Burning Man says it’s going to take time to fully understand what impacts the changes put forth by the Bureau Land Management (BLM) will have on the annual event. However, the important thing is, Burning Man will move forward as usual, with its “amazing projects, art installations, mutant vehicles and theme camps.”
That being said, here are some things Burning Man wants to address for 2019.
Capacity
Burning Man’s 2019 event will be capped at a total 80,000 attendees, nearly the same as last year. Organizers have interest in growing the event up to 100,000 people, but not before understanding the potential impacts such growth. The EIS fers data on how Burning Man’s activities will affect the environment and surrounding communities — and what changes need to be made.
Dumpsters
Burning Man has the opportunity to avoid having dumpsters on the playa. However, their latest journal article says, “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 our trash after we leave Black Rock City.” No leaving trash at public rest stops or businesses — or anywhere on the drive home.
Physical Barriers
“This mitigation will likely not be required for 2019, and we have the opportunity to avoid it in the future. Securing the boundary Black Rock City has always been a priority to Burning Man — while Radical Inclusion is one 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
Screening by BLM has been one Burning Man’s gravest concerns, after 30 years running its own operations. However, this initiative will not move forward in 2019 and there may be a chance to prevent it from ever happening. “We’ve submitted our serious concerns to the BLM about the significant constitutional, civil rights, environmental, cultural and operational impacts this proposal.” This is one requirement Burning Man is prepared to push back on, especially following last year’s “aggressive” traffic stops.
With this, Burning Man reminds its future attendees that many the mitigations and monitoring that seem to be new requirements are actually brief descriptions existing operations. Read all the BLM requirements that may affect your Burn here.
By working together, the culture, community and environment in Black Rock City should continue to thrive.
Source: Burning Man Journal