COMMUNITY
2009 BLACK ROCK CITY PLAN
We received a great deal of feedback critical of the expanded size of the 2008 city, so it's "deja vu all over again" as we return to nearly the same, smaller footprint of 2007, in the same BLM-mandated location of the Black Rock Desert. The distance from the inner-most road to the Man is down from 2700 to just 2100 feet. This means that a hop, skip, and a jump should get you from theme camp Esplanade frontage to the Man.
CENTER CAMP CHANGES
We had a Center Camp expansion in 2008 that allowed for the presence of larger interactive camps. However many felt the Center Camp intrusion into the Esplanade was too great, especially as it created sharp turns where "Wheel" - the 2008 road ringing Center Camp - intersected with the Esplanade. So Center Camp will be smaller than last year, but we're not throwing the baby out with the grey water: we are compromising precisely between 2007 and 2008 for the size of Center Camp.
PARTICIPATION
If you want to broaden your participation in the event, there are ample opportunities. Visit Playa Info in Center Camp. Ours is a society of activists. When we see a job that needs to be done, we are inclined to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Keep this in mind: there is no "they" in BRC. There is only "us." Burning Man is a 100% participant funded and staffed event. Sadly, there are always a few people who just don't "get it." These folks believe that the mystical "they" will appear to provide for their needs and clean up their mess. Help us instruct them. If you see someone acting irresponsibly, introduce yourself and speak up. Also, don't be a "participation snob". Just because someone isn't costumed or visibly participating doesn't mean they aren't contributing.
PROTECTION OF ART
If you witness anyone vandalizing artwork, please ask them to stop. Inform a Black Rock Ranger if necessary.
NO Early Arrivals
Our city opens on Monday, August 31st at 12:01 a.m. Do not come to the event site before that time. We are not ready to receive participants before the event begins because we haven't finished building the city, nor do we have our full public safety and sanitation infrastructure in place. By order of the BLM stipulations, those on site before the event starts must be part of the permitted set-up process. Early arrival passes will be issued at our discretion to a limited number of artists and theme camp construction crews.. Early entry pass holders must have an admission ticket as well, for entry. Do not arrive at our gate early without a ticket and pass. You will not be given early admission, and you risk placing needless stress on neighboring communities.
After Dark Arrivals
If you arrive in our city at night and do not know where to camp, we recommend you stay at the Greeter Station until morning. You are not likely to find your friends by cruising in the dark after your long journey and you are likely to inadvertently camp in a reserved space, and/or create a hazard for others. You can get information and find your way more safely by the light of day.
Finding Yourself and Your Friends
Use the Playa Info computers to register yourself and your camp location as well as to find your friends. Via the online Directory network you can exchange messages. There is no Internet access. Also use this service to find and post event schedules, ride shares, and other services. The Dynamic Board maps campsite coordinates. Bulletin Boards are always available for artful posting of events, messages, and general information.
Walk-In Camping
A marked area immediately behind the southeast side of Black Rock City will be reserved for Walk-In Camping. You will need to leave your vehicle and carry your belongings to your chosen spot. No vehicles or RVs will be allowed in the Walk-In Camping area. The sheer difficulty of this exercise will keep the area sparsely populated and your efforts will be rewarded with a solitude unavailable in other parts of the city.
In-and-Out Policy/ Shuttle Bus
Movement of cars or airplanes poses a safety hazard, and protection of the environment is of paramount importance to Burning Man. Therefore, casual traffic in and out of Black Rock City is strongly discouraged. Participants who leave and return by personal means will be required to pay $20 per person. For those anxious to drive into "town", the strongly encouraged alternative is our community shuttle service that travels between Black Rock City and the nearby towns of Gerlach and Empire.
New this year: In recent years, shuttle usage has been declining, as the expense of hiring full-sized coaches has increased. As our population has continued to become increasingly well prepared, the demand for shuttle service has declined. To better meet supply with demand, we are hiring smaller shuttle vehicles, as well as decreasing our schedule this year. Therefore, plan on arriving early to buy your ticket as some trips will no-doubt sell out quickly.
The $10 tickets and the schedule for the bus shuttle will be available at the shuttle ticket booth located at 6:00 and Evolution. You must be sober, dressed appropriately for town, and carrying your event ticket stub and wearing the wristband issued to you when you purchase a bus ticket. Shuttles run from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Noise Control
Sound travels on the playa and not everyone will want to sleep when you do. Be advised that the only reliable way to get a quiet, uninterrupted night's sleep is to bring earplugs. If you use an amplified audio system at your camp the volume must be held to reasonable levels. Speakers must be elevated off the playa surface and backed by a truck, RV or anything large and solid enough to prevent the sound from traveling backwards. The maximum power amplification is 300 watts, 90 decibels at 20 feet. If a problem with sound levels continues after sufficient requests and warnings, the source of power for such device or system will be disabled.
Art cars with sound systems are subject to the same standards, and must cut their sound when approaching art installations and performances.
The hum of generators can become annoying over a long period of time. Please keep your neighbors in mind. We recommend generators that are sound insulated. DO NOT dig a trench to sound-insulate your generator.Rather, enclose it in a wooden box. Do visit Generators at Burning Man for more detailed information.
Information and Lost & Found
Questions should be directed to the knowledgeable Playa Info volunteers in Center Camp. The info crew can answer questions about theme camp placement, events, and volunteering. Hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted. If someone is answering questions after hours, accept or believe them at your own risk. Check out the white boards at any time for answers to "Top Ten" questions plus the hottest information.
Items found in Black Rock City are not "playa gifts" to keep nor to give to anyone other than their rightful owners. Turn in found items to Playa Info so that they might be reunited with their owners. Post event, the remaining Playa Info found items travel to BMHQ in San Francisco.
Many items found at Burning Man are not turned in to Playa Info, but there's still a chance they might be reunited with their rightful owners. The ePlaya, our online discussion board, has a lost and found area where the community can connect. We encourage you to post partial descriptions of your lost OR found items to see if anyone has a match. See http://eplaya.burningman.com/ select "year-round connections" then go to "Lost and found". Also, send descriptions to lostandfound (at) burningman (dot) com .
After Burning Man we will post to and scan the ePlaya for descriptions of Playa Info's found items to attempt "happy reunions". But act quickly. Our official lost and found efforts end when ticket sales begin in mid-January for our next Burning Man.
Burning Etiquette
The burning of public structures (such as lampposts or bulletin boards) is prohibited. Likewise, the burning of other people's artwork is forbidden. Individual artists have the sole right to burn their own creation, subject to burn guidelines. Do NOT burn other people's property! If you witness such vandalism, please inform a Black Rock Ranger. You may burn your art on provided Public Burn Pyres located at the front of our city, at the end of every third latitudinal street. Don't forget to collect and remove your own ashes. See Protecting the Environment for more information.
Telephone Service
Cell phones do not work in the Black Rock Desert. Public telephones are available in the town of Gerlach, 12 miles away. Bring a calling card and take the BRC Shuttle to town.
RC Hobbyists
If you are planning to bring any sort of radio controlled model, vehicle, or art installation to BRC this year, please contact rchobbyist (at) burningman (dot) com with the radio frequency and channel number under which you will be operating. Radio channel conflicts must be avoided to prevent loss of control of an RC project. An out of control model/vehicle/art piece can cause serious damage to people or property, so it is important that RC'ers help us organize regarding radio use. If you have an RC art piece, please inform the Art Team, art (at) burningman (dot) com, or contact a team member at the Artery in Center Camp.
Freedom & the Media
The media are a part of our experience on playa. Freedom of the press dictates that we cannot exclude them, nor would we want to-they are our opportunity to affect the world by illustrating what we do together as a community. Reporting and documenting is a form of expression. However, we do limit the number of video crews that we approve to film at the event. Those approved to film are pledged not to interfere with your experience. Should you feel that someone toting a camera is creating a nuisance, contact a Black Rock Ranger.
Commercial use of all imagery taken at Burning Man is forbidden without express permission. All professional photographers with intent to receive compensation for a Burning Man image (including editorial or gallery) must check in at Media Mecca. Pre-event or post-event photographers should register at: http://www.burningman.com/press, contact the hotline at 415-TO-FLAME, or write:press (at) burningman (dot) com for permission.
ALL motion-capturing video and film cameras must be registered, whether they are to be used for personal or professional purposes. There is no filming without express permission. Professional media will receive a specific camera tag, indicating that they've registered with Media Mecca and have been informed of our community expectations for filming. However, you have ultimate responsibility for your image and should ask photographers or videographers how your image will be used. Should you encounter a problem, approach and ask for their tag number, and report it to a Media Mecca volunteer or a Black Rock Ranger. Those filming or videotaping for personal use must sign a Personal Use Agreement, which indicates the footage will not be professionally distributed. This protects the privacy rights of participants. This Agreement can be obtained at the Gate, or obtained and turned in at the Greeters Station, Playa Info, and Black Rock Ranger Outposts in the Civic Plazas. All participants are encouraged to visit Media Mecca to familiarize themselves with the various types of camera tags.
Civic Plazas
Two Civic Plazas are located on either side of the city at 3 and 9 o'clock. These Plazas are mini civic centers designed to serve the same community functions as Center Camp. They are public gathering spaces, inviting art, performance, installations, and community interaction. In 2007 we added ice sales to the 3 and 9 o'clock Plazas. The theme camps encircling the Plazas are encouraged to participate creatively in making the Plazas inviting. Nearby, participants will find Emergency Service Stations and Black Rock Ranger Outposts.
Hot Springs
Our numbers have grown and, with that, the potential for strain on the surrounding environment has increased. During Burning Man, BLM stipulations forbid participants from using the local hot springs. A special environmental team of Earth Guardians working with the BLM will be assigned to patrol and protect these fragile resources. Email earthguardians (at) burningman (dot) com for more information. Hot Springs: Stay out! Stay alive! Keep Burning Man compliant with its permit!
Rental Trucks & Corporate Logos
Corporate advertising is not allowed at Burning Man. Participants with rental trucks are enthusiastically encouraged to cover or decorate prominent logos. The display or distribution of corporate banners, corporate logos, giveaway items, samples, and other such promotional paraphernalia is strictly prohibited.
RVs
You are welcome to bring a recreational vehicle. Be aware, however, that there is no dumping station on-site and you will not be allowed to dump on the playa. The BLM issues citations for the dumping of grey or black water. There is no location for scheduling RV servicing appointments. If you see a truck designated 'RV Servicing', you can flag them down for service. RV servicing will be available for a $50 fee for trailers up to 24' in length, and $60 for one grey and one black tank for RVs that are 25'-35' in length. Each additional or oversized tank is $30. Please note that our potty vendor only accepts cash so plan ahead. You must have a contact person available to meet the pump-truck at your RV. Keep a space clear for the truck to access your RV because pump hoses cannot reach beyond 30 feet. On-playa pumping services only include removal of grey and black water. NOTE: servicing does NOT include a water fill. There is NO potable water sold on playa, so plan accordingly. Also, use only one-ply toilet paper. Finally, be considerate of your neighbors when running your generator. For additional information, read RV Survival Tips.
Our Neighbors
As you arrive within sight of the Black Rock Desert, you will pass through the communities of Empire and Gerlach. Empire boasts a grocery store. It is your last chance to purchase provisions! Hours for the store are extended during Burning Man, but it's not typical to find it open after 10:00 p.m. Gerlach amenities include a gas station, a car repair and towing service, one restaurant (Bruno's), and Burning Man's roadside office. The gas station closes at 9:00 p.m., as does Bruno's restaurant. Please remember that these twin towns are NOT extensions of Black Rock City.
DO NOT replenish your water supply from a local spigot. Water is precious in the desert. This water belongs to local residents.
DO NOT deposit any form of garbage here or by the roadside.
DO NOT speed through these towns.
DO avoid blocking driveways if you park your car.
The citizens of Gerlach and Empire welcome us, but bad behavior on your part can undermine this relationship. Behave as you would in any small community. Life moves at a slower pace in Black Rock Country. Local merchants are unaccustomed to crowds of customers. Be courteous and patient, dress appropriately and do not impart a party atmosphere. We are guests here. Be courteous and friendly to all local residents.
Paiute Tribal Land & Pyramid Lake
On your way to Burning Man you will pass through the Paiute tribal land. Every year we affect the Paiute tribe's resources, whether it's a car accident or a swim in Pyramid Lake. Please be respectful. Most times there are no services for the 76 miles between Wadsworth & Empire. This means no gas and no water.
It is true; a store in Nixon has begun to appear during regular daylight hours. However, event organizers don't count on it. Project organizers are working closely with Paiute leadership and have encouraged their citizens to organize and offer services to our participants like a car wash, sales of food and other goods. Do support the Native American community in Wadsworth and Nixon.
PERMITS ARE REQUIRED while on tribal land in and around Pyramid Lake.
Pulling off the road to swim, hike, take a break from driving and/or overnight camping requires a permit. Do not EVER pull off the road into the soft sand on the east side of Pyramid Lake. You WILL get stuck. Permits are only $5. Please do your part and purchase a permit before using the Paiute land. The I-80 Smoke Shop in Wadsworth is the most convenient location for northbound Burners to purchase a permit. You can purchase permits in other Nevada towns including Reno, Sparks, Fernley, Nixon, and Sutcliffe. Please see the Travel Info in the Preparation section for locations. For more information about the Paiute tribe and their land, please visit www.plpt.nsn.us.
