Federal Government Relations
The 2013 event operated under a multi-year Special Recreation Permit (SRP), granted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Under this SRP, Burning Man was authorized for a peak population of 68,000 participants. BLM and BRC jointly developed an Environmental compliance team that paired volunteers from the Earth Guardians with BLM scientists. The team educated participants about the importance of environmental restrictions in the Closure Order such as preventing oil drips, elevating burn barrels, and preventing spills of grey and black water.
This year BLM law enforcement focused its efforts on community policing and traffic enforcement. Community policing included the presence of Law Enforcement Camp on the Esplanade next to the Black Rock Ranger station. This gave participants the ability to file police reports directly. It also provided a forum for participants to just drop in and say hello.
Also new in 2013, BLM and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office integrated their operations and command structure. This facilitated better communication and a more efficient use of shared resources such as vehicles and radio equipment. Officers from both agencies went on patrol in vehicles together. BLM handled federal issues, while the Sheriff’s Office handled state issues.
Other Agency Relations
The list of government agencies cooperating to produce the Burning Man event has grown, so it’s worth mentioning and thanking them all: Bureau of Land Management, Pershing County, Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Highway Patrol, Freeway Service Patrol, Nevada State Health Division, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Reservation, Humboldt General Hospital, CareFlight, Washoe County Public Works, Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department and the Federal Aviation Administration.
External Relations Team
Thanks to the help of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers and staff, the Burning Man External Relations Team (XRT) had an exceptional year. The team welcomed guests who directly or indirectly influence the success and impact of Burning Man beyond the trash fence, and provide a great number and variety of guests with an educational on-playa experience they will hopefully never forget. XRT rocked the socks off Burning Man 2013.
Along with the efforts back at Burning Man headquarters to contact and invite people from Nevada, the Bay Area, across the US and beyond, this year’s most notable contributions to XRT tour invitees were made in Reno. Thanks to their efforts this year and in previous years, as well as many other contributions Burning Man has made in that area, the city of Reno has begun to open its eyes and ears to the many benefits Burning Man provides their local economy and culture, and expressed interest in visiting our fair city.
Guests in 2013 featured the Chairman of the Pyramid Lake Piaute Tribe and their spiritual leader, who arrived before the event opened to bless the Temple this year! Guests throughout the week also included master trainers from the Leave No Trace organization, the University of Reno, the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Grand Sierra Resort, Lovelock Business Owners, Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno Entrepreneurs Organization, Whole Foods, Cedarville Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Bikes, Fallon Chamber of Commerce, Lovelock Chamber of Commerce, Hawthorne Facilities, and the Gerlach seniors. We’re happy to report that all visitors had a positive experience, and many hope to return to Black Rock City in 2014.
Submitted by,
Raymond Allen & Rosalie Barnes