Black Rock Station/Ranch
As
the Work Ranch has evolved from a depository of materials toward
becoming a professional facility for the production of Black Rock
City and related arts projects, we have learned better ways to
organize and manage resources to meet the growing demands of our
expanding mission. Every year, building and removing the city involves
more people for longer periods of time, bringing more skills and
experience to bear on the challenges we face. This development
has resulted in more streamlined protocols, better systems, and
higher efficiency on the ranch and throughout DPW.
The most significant improvements in infrastructure this year
were achieved in the public area on the ranch, affectionately known
as the Beach Club. A higher capacity, more efficient diesel generator
with a 500-gallon fuel tank was installed to provide cleaner, more
reliable power to the kitchen, office, and camping areas as well
as for general use. The kitchen area was expanded with more equipment,
and a wooden floor was installed for improved utility in inclement
weather and easier cleaning. The water system, which still operates
as a temporary installation much like that on the playa, took another
leap forward with the addition of a pressure tank, hard plumbing,
last year’s on-site dish room, and the long-term loan of
a 3,250-gallon potable-water tank trailer. These improvements in
particular diminished the demands on general maintenance—from
two water runs per day to two runs all month—and they eliminated
the need for continuous troubleshooting of temperamental extension
cords or fetching of gasoline for the generator. A large, donated
mobile home was placed as the northern wind block, which freed
up a travel trailer for housing and prompted the construction of
a larger stage. Other improvements include a fence to keep dogs
out of the main eating area, reconstruction of tables and shade
structures, expansion of the office, a larger bar area, and installation
of wireless ethernet equipment.
We also moved another step closer to a comprehensive materials
storage and tracking program. The inventory database was expanded
to include most large assets such as vehicles, buildings, equipment,
and so on. Tracking has improved through the introduction of property
use agreements. Artists and other participants have taken increased
responsibility for securing and winterizing materials and vehicles.
A map of the ranch has been developed with corresponding signs
marking rows of materials. These rows are increasingly organized
by criteria, such as type of material or whether it is privately
owned or property of the Project. Individual projects now each
have their own cache of tools, which makes inventory easier and
prevents loss of tools. Another year’s data on fuel consumption
is helping to establish usage patterns, create recharge protocols,
and eliminate abuses. A heroic clean-up effort on the ranch both
before and after the event has removed much of the abandoned junk
and helped to expose useful materials and to free space for other
uses. The acquisition of more shipping containers and tractor-trailer
box vans improves our weatherproof storage capacity and simplifies
transportation, and a more compact placement configuration now
allows easier access and will expedite load-out. All of these small
accomplishments work in concert to create a more manageable and
user-friendly facility.
DPW undertook a remarkable effort this year to promote safe practices
and to improve our ability to deal with emergencies on the ranch.
Our intake forms were revised to better capture health information
on participants, and a new liability waiver reinforces the individual
responsibilities assumed by volunteers and other participants during
their stay. An orientation talk was developed and delivered outlining
the specific hazards and risks of working and living in the challenging
environment of the desert, and production began on a safety video
as a tool to improve this communication process. More fire extinguishers
and smoke detectors were installed, and availability and access
to first-aid kits and personal protective equipment such as gloves
and goggles was improved. Black Rock Rangers stationed on the ranch
before, during, and after the event helped establish clear communications
in case of emergency and increased security, and they aided in
the resolution of disputes. A taller antenna tower and more communications
equipment also have made it easier to keep in touch with participants
within and vendors outside our production area. Roles such as safety
coordinator and ranch medic have been formed to manage and inform
our practices and guarantee compliance with safety standards. Developing
protocols for documenting accidents and identifying potential hazards
will be vital in creating a safe living and working environment
for all work ranch participants.
The involvement of artists and of other departments within the
Project increased this year, suggesting an expanded role for the
facility in the future. The Earth Guardians used the ranch to meet
and get oriented for their Leave No Trace training activities in
the spring. The Man was again built on the ranch, and the large
tent used for the on-site commissary was recovered and set up to
determine that it was complete. The involvement by groups such
as the crews of the Center Camp Café and Recycle Camp began
earlier and lasted longer than ever before. We supported the production
and transportation efforts of several large art projects, and the
ranch hosted dozens of artists working on site for extended periods
of time. We also have many works of art from past years’ events
stored on the ranch, and many more stored vehicles, materials,
and equipment. 
Office spaces were expanded on the ranch by staff,
and the grounds were upgraded by planting trees, recycled sod,
and a garden. We were literally fed by the fruits (usually vegetables,
actually) of our effort. The Bureau of Land Management has borrowed
cones and burn barrels for some of their events, and the ranch
has often hosted visits by various officials. In general, the ranch
has become more comfortable, more organized, and more accessible
to a wider variety of groups working to produce Black Rock City.
The next year will see even greater infrastructure improvements
to provide more professional support for crew and staff, as the
challenges we face today become tomorrow’s triumphs.
Submitted by,
Matthew Ebert aka Metric,
BRC-DPW Work Ranch Manager
Click here to read the 2001 ranch report. 