WINNEMUCCA — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that it has issued a permit for 2015’s Burning Man at the Black Rock Desert.
The announcement comes after arduous negotiations between BLM and Black Rock City LLC, Burning Man’s organizing entity. BLM had previously requested a laundry list of amenities including a VIP compound estimated to cost $1 million.
U.S. Senator Harry Reid said at the time that the amenities list was excessive.
“Part of Burning Man’s philosophy is self-reliance, and living with the elements is part of the experience,” he wrote. “Flush toilets and laundry facilities can be found about ten miles away in Gerlach, Nevada, if BLM’s employees need such amenities.”
The BLM person behind the request was said to be BLM law enforcement agent Dan Love, who is also associated with a handful of other BLM PR blunders, including the Bundy showdown in southern Nevada last year.
BLM had accused Burning Man organizers of failing to address health and safety issues.
“BLM and BRC team members have worked hard over the past several weeks to get to this point,” said Acting Nevada State Director John Ruhs. “Throughout the process, our priority has always been to ensure the health and safety of the participants, volunteers and staff while on the playa. By working together, we’ve arrived at a common sense, cost-efficient plan that meets our core operational needs and paves the way forward for a successful event.”
BLM said the permit is “among the largest and most complex issued by the BLM. (It) allows up to 70,000 participants and includes updated public health, safety and environmental safeguards.”
This year’s event will take place from Aug. 30 through Sept 7.
