United States Forest Big Piney P.O. Box 218
Department of Service Ranger Districe 33700 Ochoco Ranger Station
Agriculture Prineville, OR 97754
_________________________________________________________________________
Reply to: 2300
Date: July 29, 1994
The Rainbow Family:
Your cleanup and rehabilitation efforts following the 1994
National Rainbow Gathering on the Big Piney Ranger District has
exceeded our expectations! We want to thank all of you Family
Members who stayed and worked with us on the cleanup efforts these
past two and one-half weeks. You all gave complete cooperation
in meeting the objectives of the rehabilitation plan.
Working with the advance Rainbow Family members proved
particularly effective. It enabled us to cover concerns that would
need to be addressed throughout the Gathering. Together we identified
sensitive areas and agreed to mitigation measures. Protection
of the historic Lander Trail was particularly important and with
your help, it was not impacted. In addition, Bus Village, parking,
water systems, and kitchens were located in areas resilient to
heavy use.
On our walk-through inspections, we specifically were concerned
about:
Trash - We saw no trash remaining. Thanks for also removing
trash that had been on site before the Gathering.
Stream Crossings - Your protection efforts of the five
major stream crossings and the main meadows were successful.
All bridges and flagging have been removed.
Sanitation - All kitchens have been reclaimed, ovens dismantled
and disintegrated, and compost and gray water pits filled. We
found no evidence of latrines.
High Use Areas - Scarification and seeding of the main
trail head entrance (welcome camp), large social trails and concentration
areas in and around the main circle will be needed. Some of this
scarification has already been done around kitchen areas and
Kiddie Village. In addition, because of the heavy traffic, mechanical
scarification and seeding will be needed in Bus Village. As we
discussed with some of the remaining family members, because
of the drought conditions here now, some crews will return in
late September to complete this final phase of rehabilitation.
Although not directly connected to the cleanup and rehabilitation
efforts, a concern about the actual size of the July 3 fire has
been expressed to me and my staff by numerous members of the Family.
I did not witness the actual fire fighting efforts, but have visited
the site on two subsequent occasions, walking the entire perimeter.
I estimate the size to be about two acres.
We are very pleased with the overall cleanup effort. All
of us on the Forest and the District enjoyed working with both
the advance Rainbow Family members and those who remained to clean
up. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
/s/ Greg
GREG CLARK
District Forest Ranger