The 'Rainbow Accommodation' & Heavy Caveats

    The 2008 Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes proceeds upon renewed negotiations in the off-season -- between a few longstanding gatherers and top USFS & LEI officials in Washington.  USDA Undersecretary Mark Rey has taken the lead in certain 'accommodations', upholding the "Noncommercial Group Use" regulations (36 CFR 251.54, et seq.), but waiving the permit signature requirement in light of the history of good-faith performance on the land, and the persistent confrontations and legal strife over this issue for years.

    After months of correspondence and a series of conference calls on the concerns of gatherers, Rey issued his final letter of policy intent on May 8, 2008.  To many, it is a hopeful sign renewed cooperation with the Forest Service and relief from draconian police tactics of recent years.  It is a significant step in one regard, acknowledging the discretion (and duty) of USFS officials to regulate such special uses in an 'alternative manner' where appropriate in the public interest.

    Yet to others, and in the analysis of PCU_/Free Assembly Project, it is a perilous deal -- vesting the "Rainbow Family" as a fictional 'Group' party to an Operation Plan, with vicarious liabilities and other permit terms still in effect... and leaving the 'National Incident Management' regime still intact, with Federal law enforcement agencies controlling policy as-applied to the gathering, by Delegation of Authority from USFS officials.

    As prelude events unfold, we are watchful of outcomes...

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Other Links on the 2008 Gathering & Rainbozo Affairs:

www.welcomehome.org/

The 2008 annual Gathering will be in Wyoming at "Big Sandy" which is south/southeast of Pinedale, Wyoming. This link contains all the information I have on the 2008 on this page gathering, and will be updated as I gwet more information.

Info on this years Gathering

The Pinedale news has a Rainbow Information page on the web.
Some useful information:
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/news/2008/06/RainbowFamilyGatheri.htm

Karin's info site, in San Diego:
http://wyominggathering.blogspot.com/

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