U.S. Department of the Interior March 2019 Bureau of Land Management Black Rock Field Office Burning Man Event Special Recreation Permit Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Volume 1 COSTS BLM: $280,000 Proponent: $922,468 MISSION STATEMENT It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT BURNING MAN EVENT SPECIAL RECREATION PERMIT LEAD AGENCY: US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca District Office, Black Rock Field Office COOPERATING AGENCIES: US Department of Homeland Security US Environmental Protection Agency US Federal Bureau of Investigation Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Nevada Department of Transportation Humboldt County Pershing County Pershing County Sheriff’s Office Washoe County PROJECT LOCATION: Pershing County, Nevada COMMENTS ON THIS DRAFT EIS Dr. Mark Hall, PhD SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: EIS Project Manager Black Rock Field Office 5100 East Winnemucca Blvd. Winnemucca, Nevada 86445 (775) 623-1500 [email protected] PROJECT WEBSITE: https://go.usa.gov/xnBTu ABSTRACT This Draft Environmental Impact Statement analyzes the potential impacts associated with a proposed multi-year Special Recreation Permit for Black Rock City, LLC to produce the Burning Man Event annually from 2019 to 2028. The Burning Man Event is an annual gathering in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada. The Event takes place on Black Rock Desert Playa 8.5 miles northeast of Gerlach, Nevada, and approximately 100 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. The primary component of the Proposed Action includes an incremental population increase of 5,000 per year, starting at 85,000 bodies on playa (including participants and BRC staff and volunteers, and excluding government personnel and vendors) in 2019, reaching a maximum population of 100,000 in 2022. The Main Event would occur for 9.5 days, ending at 6:00 pm on Labor Day. Site preparations for the event would take place up to 35 days in advance, and site cleanup would be conducted up to 35 days post-event. Event activities include technological displays, interactive events, social interactions, small- and large-scale art installations, and small and large burn events. In this Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the BLM analyzed the Proposed Action and four alternatives, including a No Event Alternative. Responsible Official for EIS: Mark Hall Black Rock Field Office Manager This page intentionally left blank. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................. ES-1 ES.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. ES-1 ES.2 Purpose of and Need for Federal Action.............................................................................. ES-1 ES.3 Scoping, Consultation, and Coordination ............................................................................. ES-1 ES.4 Management Alternatives ......................................................................................................... ES-1 ES.4.1 Alternative A (Proposed Action) ............................................................................. ES-2 ES.4.2 Alternative B (Reduced Population Alternative) .................................................. ES-2 ES.4.3 Alternative C (Alternate Site Alternative) ............................................................. ES-3 ES.4.4 Alternative D (No Population Change/Action Alternative) .............................. ES-3 ES.4.5 Alternative E (No Permit/Event Alternative) ........................................................ ES-3 ES.5 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................................. ES-3 ES.6 Comparison of Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives ................................ ES-3 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Event History ................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Purpose of and Need for Federal Action................................................................................ 1-1 1.3 Decision to be Made .................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.4 Issues Identified during Scoping ................................................................................................. 1-1 1.4.1 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4.2 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................ 1-2 1.4.3 Health and Safety ........................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4.4 Physical Resources......................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4.5 Social Values and Economics ....................................................................................... 1-2 1.4.6 Special Designations ...................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4.7 Visitor Uses ..................................................................................................................... 1-2 1.5 Summary of Permits for the Action ......................................................................................... 1-2 CHAPTER 2. ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Alternative A: Proposed Action ................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2.1 Introduction to Alternative A (Proposed Action) ................................................. 2-1 2.2.2 BRC Alternative A (Proposed Action) Components............................................ 2-1 2.2.3 Additional Components of Alternative A (Proposed Action) Identified by the BLM .................................................................................................... 2-8 2.2.4 BLM Identification of a Preferred Alternative ....................................................... 2-11 2.3 Alternative B (Reduced Population Alternative) ................................................................. 2-11 2.4 Alternative C (Alternate Site Alternative) ............................................................................ 2-11 2.5 Alternative D (No Population Change/Action Alternative) ............................................. 2-11 2.6 Alternative E (No Permit/Event Alternative) ....................................................................... 2-11 2.7 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis .................................... 2-12 2.7.1 Hold the Event on Another Playa or Other Location outside the Black Rock Desert ....................................................................................................... 2-12 2.7.2 Hold the Event during a Different Time of Year ................................................. 2-12 2.7.3 Analyze an SRP Length other than 10 Years ......................................................... 2-12 2.7.4 Require the Event be Age Restricted ..................................................................... 2-12 2.7.5 Hold the Event without Burning .............................................................................. 2-12 March 2019 Burning Man Event Special Recreation Permit Draft Environmental Impact Statement i Table of Contents 2.7.6 Hold the Event at an Alternate Event Site outside the National Conservation Area Boundary ............................................................................................................. 2-13 2.7.7 Provide On-site Sanitation Services ........................................................................ 2-13 2.7.8 Provide Alternative Transportation Options ........................................................ 2-13 2.8 BLM Land Use Plan Conformance .......................................................................................... 2-13 2.9 Comparison of Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives ................................ 2-14 CHAPTER 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................. 3-1 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2.1 Supplemental Authorities ............................................................................................. 3-1 3.2.2 Additional Affected Resources ................................................................................... 3-2 3.3 Biological Resources .................................................................................................................... 3-3