WINNEMUCCA -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca District Office announced in the Federal Register on Aug. 14, 2012 temporary closure and the temporary restriction of certain activities on public lands immediately surrounding the site of the 2012 Burning Man event.

The temporary closure and temporary restrictions are necessary to provide for public safety and to protect public resources.

The temporary closure affects a small portion (14,153 acres) of the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA) Black Rock Desert playa between August 13 and September 17, 2012.  The temporary closure is necessary for that period of time because of the event activities in the area, starting with fencing the site perimeter, final setup, the actual event (August 26 through September 3), initial phases of cleanup, and concluding with final site cleanup.

According to Winnemucca District Manager, Gene Seidlitz, similar temporary closures for the Burning Man event in past years have been implemented with minimal disruption to other public uses.

The temporary closure reserves the 8-Mile entrance to the Black Rock Desert playa solely for Burning Man ticket holders, but all other playa access points and nearly 87 percent of the playa remains open to public use. 

Temporary restrictions are in effect for activities such as disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, under age use of alcohol, weapons, fires, and discharge of waste water within the closure area.

The BLM will post information signs and maps about the temporary closure and temporary restrictions at main entry points around the playa, at the BLM Winnemucca District Office, and at the Black Rock Visitor Center. 

The temporary closure and temporary restrictions notice and map is posted on the web at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo.html.  Questions may be directed to Cory Roegner at croegner@blm.gov or call 775-623-1500.