Editor's note: Sam Gross is a breaking news reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal who covers wildfires, emergencies and more. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com right here.

The Bureau of Land Management released a draft report Friday analyzing what would happen to the Black Rock Desert and surrounding region if Burning Man increased its total event population from 80,000 people to 100,000 people.

The analysis, formally known as an environmental impact statement, was triggered by Burning Man's request for a ten-year special recreation permit starting in 2019 that would increase the total amount of staff, volunteers and event participants from the current cap of 80,000 to 100,000 over a five year period.

Jim Graham, Burning Man Project spokesman, said the organization is still reviewing the report, but there are early concerns.

"Our staff is reviewing the document and accompanying 11 special studies, and our initial review revealed serious concerns with parts of the proposed stipulations," Graham said in a statement. "At this time it is premature to provide an assessment until we have completed a thorough review. We will then provide a more detailed response."

The ten-day gathering on an alkali lake bed includes artists, musicians and people looking to get away from the "default world," has been granted permits on BLM land since 1991.

This year's event is currently scheduled for Aug. 25 through Sept. 2, but no permit has yet been issued from the BLM.

"This is a very high-profile event; a very high-profile project," said Mark Hall, field manager for the BLM's Black Rock Field Office "It's the largest special recreation permit for the BLM and it's one of the largest special recreation events on federal land. Period. "

Hall has been designated as the BLM's authorized officer for the 2019 Burning Man event, meaning he likely has final say on if the event's permit request is granted or not.

We have received the draft Environmental Impact Statement published earlier today by the Bureau of Land Management.

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What's in the report?

In its 150-plus pages, the report delves deep into how the event affects — or would affect — the people, plants and land of the Black Rock Desert and surrounding region in five different scenarios, including the organizations current request for a population increase.

Those scenarios are:

If the BLM granted Burning Man's current permit request, with the population increase.

If the BLM reduced the event participant cap from the current 80,000 people to 50,000 people.

If Burning Man's request for a population increase was granted, but the event location was moved further north on the Playa (to stave off occasional flooding that occurs at the current location).

A "status-quo" alternative where no changes are made and the current permit was re-issued for the next ten years.

If no permit was issued and the event was not officially allowed to take place on BLM land.

No final decision until public comment is done

Readers of the report will find lengthy analysis of how each scenario impacts a host of variables ranging from the economic balance of the region to air quality impacts, but what they won't find is any sort of recommendation for how BLM officials should proceed.

That won't come until public comment on the draft report, scheduled to go from now until April 29, is finished.

A "preferred alternative" guiding BLM decision-makers on what scenario should be chosen will be included in the agency's final report after the public has had time to weigh in on the draft, according to Hall.

Public meetings to discuss the current draft environmental impact statement are scheduled to happen in Reno on April 8 and again in Lovelock on April 9.

Exact details on those meetings are still being ironed out, according to Hall.

As the likely decision-maker for Burning Man's request for a population increase, Hall said he's not leaning one way or another — he's waiting to hear what people have to say during the public comment period.

He stressed how important it is for people to look at the report and weigh in.

"Right now I have an open mind and I'm very curious to see what the public has to offer in terms of our analysis," he said.

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Sam Gross is a breaking news reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal who covers wildfires, emergencies and more. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com right here.