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Burning Man’s future threatened by Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Increased running costs would have to be shifted onto attendees...

Burning Man's future and core principles have been put into jeapordy according to organisers of the event after the publishing of a new Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Despite the event pushing key values around environmental responsibility, particularly with regards to its 'Leave No Trace' policy, the statement calls for Burning Man "to pay for maintenance of County Road 34, which leads to the event’s entrance", though event organisers say that taxes already go towards its maintenance.

Burning Man would also be expected to hire a local government-approved private security firm to "screen for weapons and drugs in all vehicles, and to search participants, vendors, contractors, staff, and volunteers at all points of entry" to the site. Organisers may also be expected to pay for certain barriers to be installed around the perimeter fence of the site, and cover the cost of bins being placed around the city despite their existing 'Leave No Trace' policy. 

This may lead to an increased cost of $286 per person planning to attend Burning Man, according to the team running the event. Organisers are calling upon family and regular attendees to voice their concerns about the Environmental Impact Statement while it is still under consideration. The deadline is 29th April, and you can find out more here.

In February, Burning Man revealed that it was aiming to cut luxury packages for 2019. Late last year, the event also revealed its new temple design for this year's event.

Check out Carl Cox's b2b with Joseph Capriati from Burning Man 2018.