Comments on: Burning Man, BLM and Happy Times

By: Onehand Clapping

Onehand Clapping — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:16:23 +0000

Oh, also the geo-textiles can be used under vehicles too. they will absorb any spills and are easily found at local gardening stores. Not to mention tranporting them and recycling them is easier than cardboard.

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By: Onehand Clapping

Onehand Clapping — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:13:17 +0000

Perhaps an easier solution that could improve sevearl issues is to use geo-textiles on the BRC roads. By using relatively cheap geo-textiles as road surfaces (which are reusable and easily deployed) in BRC, we can mitigate our impacts and increase sustainability in several facets:

Water: the use and reliance on local water resources (to spray the roads daily) could potentially, if not actually be reduced, while growing the BM population.

Infrastructure: The impact on local roads and traffic patterns will be reduced as the transportation of water will decline or stay relatively static. This reduction in traffic also includes a significant reduction in hydrocarbon use and pollution overall.

Air Quality: With the use of geo-textiles on the city roads (maybe not the playa avenues – for esthetic reasons), the amount of disturbed playa cover will be reduced which will likley decrease the effects of the dust storms affecting both BRC and the local ecosystems and communities. More people means more dust for everyone – not to mention the effects on the playa surface itself.

Safety: the travel surface within the city would be much easier for riding bikes as the terrain wouldn’t be hollowed out or get as soft in spots – the geo-textiles can transfer the loads more evenly onto the ground. This in turn would potentially reduce the incidents of people flying over the handle bars and injuring themselves…..yes we’ve all done it…

Well, that’s my 7 cents worth.

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By: Steve Apker

Steve Apker — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:12:08 +0000

We’ve all seen the dark spots on the freeway where there is a bump – vehicles deposit oil drops ready to fall when encountering the jolt. Smoother driving surfaces inside the fence means less drips on the way to the site and the cardboard protection.

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By: Steve Apker

Steve Apker — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:09:55 +0000

You’ve all seen the freeway where there is a slight bump – dark spot from oil knocked off as the vehicle encounters the jolt. Smoother roadways within the fence (or anywhere) means less oil drips as folks make their way to their sites. Just a thought.

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By: Philip Demers

Philip Demers — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 01:44:00 +0000

Drip…drip…oil drips…at the very feet of Burning Man!
A cardboard drip pan…could burn with Burning Man?

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By: rosalie

rosalie — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:18:44 +0000

oo ooo Zhust– we have just been talking about *messages* that could be attached to someone’s email signature, or tweeted, or posted or whatever so that we could all be spreading the word… Especially with the Cardboard under the car. We need to come up with a sentence or two and then a URL that links to a blog post all about it. The blog post is forthcoming, as we (Dave X and I) are going to do one all about keeping hydrocarbons off the playa surface floor, but then we will need to get really smart about distributing the message through all the channels..!! YES YES and YES!~

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By: Zhust

Zhust — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:04:41 +0000

I just wanted to jot this down so i don’t forget: one more thing to pack is one or two large pieces of cardboard (if you’re coming by motorized vehicle). Two thoughts:

1. Anchor it down with those shitty tent stakes that came with it. If it’s flat on the ground, it won’t get much wind load so it’ll stay put with just those.

2. If your cardboard is big enough, you can roll the wheels over the edges. Note that in rear-wheel drive cars you’ll need one under the rear differential as well.

… now, to write this somewhere more prominent …

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By: rosalie

rosalie — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:12:31 +0000

Hey Peace, For sure additional options for growth are being explored. We want to grow, but we’ve got to do it with everyone on board with us: the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Department of Transportation and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Although the event is in the middle of the desert, the roads that lead to that desert impact many communities. We are working with traffic planners to figure out a way to expand sustainably. And while traffic is one angle, our impact on neighbors vis a vis trash and economy is another. We are also studying the impacts of hydrocarbons on the playa surface. Every person who carpools makes a difference in this struggle to grow. Every person who puts a drip pan or cardboard under their car makes a difference on oil drips. There are no spectators here. (we all have a role in sustaining and growing this event).

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By: The Devil X)

The Devil X) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:01:14 +0000

How about opening the gates at noon on sunday instead of midnight. A lot safer driving in daylight. And it might spread out influx a little.

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By: Peace

Peace — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:58:11 +0000

I agree with everything said. The only isse I can see is the plan of growing to 70,000 in five years is clearly insufficient. Ticket shortage is having a terrible effect on the community, so I hope additional ideas for expansion are being explored.

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