The facility includes an 800 sq. ft. utility building that provides vehicle storage, battery storage for the photovoltaic collection system, and a full restroom. An anaerobic septic system, water well, water storage tank, and two liquid propane gas tanks serve the utility building and the main building of the field station. The main building is a 2000 sq. ft. structure designed as a building within a building. The exterior shell is corrugated galvanized metal on a concrete slab with a solid back blocking extreme afternoon heat from the southwest. The front and both sides of the building feature covered porches for shade and shelter from precipitation. A screened porch on one side provides protection from pests for relaxation or outdoor sleeping. The building has no air conditioning, but does have ceiling fans. Windows are opened at night to draw in cool air with an exhaust fan. Windows are closed in the mornings, leaving the living space comfortable with the use of ceiling fans until the evening. In the winter this process is reversed so that sun-warmed air maintains comfortable temperatures in the building during daylight hours.
The main building facilities include two restrooms with showers, a dorm room, a conference/computer room, a laboratory, and a kitchen/dining area. The building is equipped with LP gas for cooking and hot water. Big Bend Telephone provides reliable internet access.
The DDRS is essentially a remote campus. The station is governed by the administrative policies of the main campus. These policies may be found the human resources policy manual.
Access to the DDRS by individuals or groups will be allowed only after each individual signs an “Agreement to Assume Risk and Release from Liability” form. It is the responsibility of the group leader to collect these forms and submit them to the Department of Biology at MSU prior to accessing the site.
Vehicles are permitted only on existing roads and parking must be in designated areas. No off road motorized vehicles of any type are allowed. No pack animals (burros, mules or horses) are allowed on the property. Travel must be by foot on established trails whenever possible.
Expenses for travel to and from the site and accommodations for time spent at the site will be borne by visitors and must be for approved or appropriate purposes only. Personal medical and vehicle insurance are the responsibility of visitors to the site. MSU strongly encourages all visitors to DDRS to have medical insurance to cover possible accident or illness. Damage to the facility, either the main structures, operating systems, or personal property present in the facility, are the responsibility of the party/parties causing the damage.
Removal of resources from the site is permitted only for the purpose of scientific sampling or the preservation of voucher specimens as part of an approved research project. Collecting of tribal artifacts, rocks, minerals, animals or plants for a personal collection is prohibited.
Every effort must be made to avoid disturbing existing research projects. When using the site (including looking for animals under rocks, dead cactus parts, decaying wood, etc.), all habitat must be restored as near as possible to its original condition.
All supplies, including food, drinking water, firewood and any other consumables must be brought to the site. Water is available in the field station for normal operation, but it has not been certified as potable.
All items transported to the site must be removed upon departure unless the DDRS Director has given prior permission for them to remain. If equipment or supplies are left at the site they must be labeled with the name of the owner and safely stored for future use in a pre-approved location. Equipment or supplies so stored should not be disturbed by parties other than those who stored them unless they represent a hindrance to reasonable use of the facility. Stored items must be removed promptly from the site at the end of an approved research project.
Fires are to be built in designated fire containers or fire pits only and extinguished before departing the fire site. No gathering of fire fuels is allowed, including dead vegetation such as yuccas, sotols, mesquite, oak, etc.
Fires should be extinguished following these steps:
- Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
- Pour water on the fire and drown all embers until hissing ceases.
- Stir the embers with a shovel to ensure everything is wet and cold to the touch.
- If water is not available use dirt. Mix dirt or sand with the embers and continue adding and stirring until all material is cool.
All refuse created while at the site must be stored in a closed and waterproof container and removed upon departure.
The septic system is limited in capacity and care should be taken not to overload the system with water or paper. Water-saving practices should be used in dishwashing, cleaning and bathing. Do not dispose of strong chemicals down the drains. Instead collect these chemicals in a waste container for disposal off-site. Solid wastes such as coffee grounds, food waste, paper towels, tampons, and grease should not be disposed of in the sinks or toilets, but should be removed and disposed of off-site
When away from the station all waste, including paper, packaging and food waste should be packed out and collected back at the station for removal from DDRS.
Away from the station, proper disposal of human waste is necessary to avoid pollution of water sources, inadvertent contact, and to maximize the rate of decomposition. Visitors to DDRS are required to bury any human feces in a cathole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet (70 paces) from water, trails and camp. Waste should be buried and disguised with natural materials when finished.
DDRS is an extension of the main MSU campus, and its policies on alcoholic beverages are applicable at the site per Policy 4.112 Alcoholic Beverages. In consideration of the remoteness of the site and in the interest of researcher safety, individuals using the research station will observe the following guidelines:
The use of tobacco products, including smoke and smokeless tobacco, is prohibited at DDRS.
- Only individuals 21 years of age or older are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.
- Dalquest’s express wish was for the site to be used for learning and research. The purpose of the station is to facilitate that goal. It should not be treated as a venue merely for relaxation, for excessive alcohol consumption, or for partying.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages to the point of visible physical or mental impairment is prohibited.
- Overconsumption of alcohol and any other activity that can interfere with the sanctioned research or comfort of other occupants of the station is not allowed. Individuals who consume alcohol to the point of impairment may be permanently barred from DDRS.
- Under no circumstances will illegal drugs be allowed at DDRS. Any individual observed using drugs will be permanently barred from the station.
Each instance of damage to the facility, associated infrastructure, stored equipment or personal effects of visitors should be recorded on incident report forms provided for that purpose. The director or the Department of Biology chair must be informed of damage requiring immediate or urgent attention.