RENO, Nev. (AP) — Federal Bureau of Land Management officials are defending their request for special housing accommodations for agency officials during the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada.
They dispute comments by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, and others that the plans are unnecessary and extravagant.
Burning Man organizers have refused the request, saying amenities such as flush toilets, washers and dryers, showers, air conditioning and refrigerators at the bureau's on-site camp in the Black Rock Desert would cost $1 million and hike its permit fees to about $5 million.
Gene Seidlitz (side-litz), the bureau's Winnemucca district manager, said Sunday that the cost of the portable units is being exaggerated by organizers and the special compound will offer basic amenities only for top agency officials who oversee the event held the week leading up to Labor Day.