Black Rock Field office now accepting applications for Commercial Activity Permits at the 2023 Burning Man Event

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Black Rock Field Office

Media Contact:

WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – Persons or businesses interested in providing commercial services during the 2023 Burning Man Event will need to apply for a Special Recreation Permit with the Black Rock Field Office.

“Special Recreation Permits are issued to businesses, organizations, and individuals to allow the use of specific public land for commercial use and provide resource protection measures to ensure the future enjoyment of those resources by the public,” said District Manager, Anne-Marie Sharkey.

Vendors will need to submit their application by the close of business, 4:30 PM (PST), on April 7, 2023.

Returning applicants must be in good standing with the Bureau of Land Management to be considered for the 2023 renewal process. Returning businesses’ standings were provided in their 2022 evaluations and should be reviewed before applying.

Persons or businesses that wish to provide commercial aviation services to the event must also apply to the Black Rock Field Office by April 7, 2023.  Once Burning Man Project identifies an Aviation Contractor to manage airport operations, those applications will then be forwarded to the contractor for concurrence and final processing by the Black Rock Field Office. 

New or returning applicants may apply by filling out and returning a 2930-1 Form (Special Recreation Permit
Application) and mailed to-

Attn. Burning Man Vendor Permit 2023

Black Rock Field Office

5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd.

Winnemucca, NV 89445.

The form can be downloaded from https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2021-03/2930-001-2020.pdf

A commercial use is defined as, “recreation use of the public lands and related waters for business or financial gain.” The activity, services, or use is commercial if – “(i) Any person, group, or organization makes or attempts to make a profit, receive money, amortize equipment, or obtain goods or services, as compensation from participants in recreational activities occurring on public lands led, sponsored, or organized by that person, group, or organization; (ii) Anyone collects a fee or receives other compensation that is not strictly a sharing or actual expenses, or exceeds actual expenses, incurred for the purposes of the activity, service or use. (iii) There is paid public advertising to seek participants; or (iv) Participants pay for a duty of care or an expectation of safety.”

Applications submitted after their due date will be denied. The BLM recommends applicants sending physical

applications by certified mail to ensure the application is received by the due date. Applications may also be emailed to the Black Rock Field Office at blm_nv_br_srp@blm.gov.

For additional information or questions, please contact James Boerigter at 775-623-1500.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.