10.8.1999
EMERGENCY!!!

From: "Harley K. Bierman <hramazon@burningman.com>
Subject: CLEAN UP & BLM for BM
Sender: staff-owner@burningman.com

Update on Clean up:

BLM

The BLM looked at our site yesterday, Wednesday, October 6th, and were not happy. They looked at well over 200 burn scars that still need to be cleaned up. The North side of camp was the worst. They have given us two more weeks to finish the job, with the threat of not giving us a permit for 2000. The current crew is burnt out and many are leaving. The winter rains have just begun. It is cold. Sorry that this sounds so much like my last post.

Our community has not really gotten the importance of the impact burns scars have on the playa. The BLM used to be able to look the other way when the scars were few. The Earth Guardians began cleaning up scars from the 1996, '97 and '98 last year. For 1999 the BLM have decided that they that can not be ignored. We have always had every intention of cleaning them all and within the amount of time the BLM gave us, but we knew it would be difficult. The amount of scars produced is overwhelming. We will need more help to get it done in the next two weeks.

LNT

Our Leave No Trace environmental training (LNT) is really heightened the awareness of how much of an impact burn scares make. We started pushing the concept of being responsible and cleaning scars to the general community last year, but the message did not go deep enough. There were many cases where people thought they were doing the right thing, saying things like " I thought this was what you were supposed to do, get rid of your stuff before you go by burning it. Isn't that Leave No Trace?".

People were also adding things to other people's fires, not realizing that it was their responsibility to come back and clean up. Those that started the fires did not feel the responsibility to clean up someone else's mess and consequently much got left. The Burning Man organization will continue to educate the participants as we move toward 2000, helping to resolve these kinds of grey areas, but for NOW, we still need help.

VOLUNTEERS

Past Volunteers -

I write this second plea for help with difficulty because so many have already contributed so much. Please do not let this request diminish the feeling of accomplishment and generosity for those that have already worked hard. A warm thank you to all of you that went up last weekend. It was a great effort. We very much appreciate your efforts! THANK YOU!!!

New Volunteers -

If you were considering going, GO! There are only two weeks left to help and we may lose the BLM's support for another permit if we do not get this work done. It is not too late and help during the week is needed as well.

Any time between now and the end of October feel free to drive or fly to Gerlach.
HOW TO CLEAN A BURN SCAR

In order to clean a burn scar you must first bag and haul all superficial debris. Then you brake up the surface of the playa a quarter to half an inch deep. This is most easily done by dragging a screen behind a pick up truck. Rakes also work well. Next you pick up all glass and metal debris.

Lastly the playa is smoothed over and returned to an even normal level. Sometimes this must be done two or three times in the course of a few years to have the scar completely disappear.

Do not dig the playa up or shovel down deep. It is critical to break the surface, clean out foreign material and lay the playa back where it was picked up.

SUPPLIES TO BRING

Magnets cost about $40.00 at Northern Tool and Equipment. They can be purchased at www.Northern Tool.com. This is useful while planning for next year. For now, please bring:

shovels
magnets
leaf rakes
dirt rakes
winter sleeping bags
binoculars
garbage bags
rain gear
food to share
gloves
goggles
winter jacket

DIRECTIONS

Please call Will at the office before leaving for the playa at (775) 557-2200.

During the day go to the site off of the three mile entrance like you did for the event. Please check in at the Burning Man office in town or at the Texaco station about conditions on the playa before you heading out. Don't get stuck!

At night go to the "80 Acres". Take highway 34 all the way out past the 3 and 12 mile entrances, past the 1997 site and past Fly hot springs. The paved road turns to gravel. Check your odometer here! Go .7 miles (a bit more than half a mile) and take the right onto the dirt road. (There is an irrigation ditch on your left as you head down the road.) The next right, about half a mile down, takes you down to the gate to our winter storage site. Follow the road in.

Thank you again to all who have already helped us. I will keep you all posted!

Harley

Harley K. Bierman
HR Amazon (Human Resources)
Burning Man Project, LLC, 1999