Water quality was also a constant concern for the Rainbow Family. Health
Department officials repeatedly advised Family members that all natural
waters should be considered contaminated and boiled or chlorinated before
we. However, Family members persistently asked officials to test their
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water supplies, insisting that the crystal clear waters in the area must be
pure. Health officials tested the water for bacteria early on. The results
confirmed that it was contaminated. Agency officials remained firm in their
advice to treat all water. Gatherers heeded this advice and no water-borne
illnesses were reported.
In mid-June local residents voiced concerns about the impacts the large
Rainbow crowd might have on the area's rivers and streams. In response, the
Forest Service and Vermont Health Department monitored the fecal coliform
levels in the White River at several points downstream from the gathering.
The first site was located .2 mile north of "A" Camp on FR 55. Three other
sample points were located on Route 100 in Oranville, Hancock and Rochester.
A control point was also monitored in Binge Brook along FR 46. Water samples
were taken each week day, except July 4, between June 25 and July 15.
Monitoring results indicated that fecal coliform levels remained below the
Vermont Department of Health's safety standard for recreational water use
until July 5 when all sample sites. including the control, rose sharply; At
that time all sites, except the control, exceeded the safety standard.
Although it can be assumed that increased human activity at the gathering
played a role in the bacteria's rise, the dramatic increase at the control
site indicated that other natural factors were also responsible. Until July
5 the weather had been very dry and resident fecal coliform in the river -
would have been concentrated. Heavy rains fell on July 5 morning which
churned up this heavy concentration of bacteria. Following the rains, :
increased drainage from nearby pastures would have also added more fecal
matter into the rivers.
Results for the July 5 sampling were reported to the Forest Service on July
6 evening. The following morning the Forest Service posted the White River
from the gathering site to the town of Stockbridge with "No Swimming - Water
Is Contaminated" signs. The Forest Service and Department of Health
officials advised the Rainbow Family, local town health officials and the
media of the situation. The agencies continued monitoring the river through
July 16 when test results indicated that fecal coliform had returned to safe
levels.
LATRINES - The Forest Service draft operating plan outlined construction
standards for the pit latrines used at the gathering. Forest Service and
Health Department officials monitored the Family's progress and compliance
with the standards. Health officials asked the Family to construct 70-75
latrines, based on need estimates of one latrine per 200 people. Progress
towards this goal was slow. In the last week of June the Family had
constructed only five or six latrines. By July 2, however, there were 138
well-constructed latrines scattered throughout the gathering.
Latrines were located at least 200 feet from any water and kitchens. They
were slit trenches dug at least 3 feet deep, covered with plywood and Sealed
at the edges with dirt. Buckets of lime or wood ash were located at each
site, to be added to the trench after each use. A hand washing statioNwas
provided at each latrine. When latrines filled to within 15 inches of the
ground surface they were filled in with soil and closed to further use.
While conducting inspections during site clean-up and rehabilitation, Forest
Service officials found a large amount of human waste scattered throughout
the woods. It was especially pervasive in the "A" Camp area. Even the
Rainbow clean-up crew was alarmed by the degree of latrine non-use.
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GARBAGE AND TRASH - The Rainbow Family sorted all garbage generated on
site. Biodegradable materials were composted St. kitchen sites. Recyclable
materials were sorted at kitchen areas and camps and later transported and
stored at the main recycling center on FR 55. Other trash was stored in
large garbage bags, boxes or in open heaps. garbage and trash thus stored
accumulated during the gathering. Most was not removed until after the
gathering was over.
Beginning the week of July 8, clean up crews consolidated all garbage and
trash from the gathering site along FR 55. They sorted through these piles
separating out recyclable materials. The Family made all the necessary
arrangements for hauling the trash to local recycling centers and landfills.
IV. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Sixteen thousand people traveled to Vermont's White River valley to attend
the 1991 Rainbow Gathering between June 29 and July 7. The impact of their
visit was felt in the communities of Granville, Hancock, Rochester and
throughout the state. For the most part, the social impacts of the
gathering were temporary in nature, lasting only as long as the Rainbows
stayed in the area. Some impacts were very intense and stress inducing.
But the gathering caused no serious, long lasting or permanent effects
within the communities or the state. There were no life threatening
incidents, no personal injuries, no property damage and no perceivable
changes in the area's social structure or values. The memories left behind
may prove to be the one long lasting impact. But these didn't really change
the fabric of people's lives, they simply added to the texture a little.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES - The towns of Granville, Bancock and Rochester
(populations 400, 300 and 500 respectively) were the most heavily impacted
by the gathering. The thought alone of 16,000 people descending on their
tranquil communities caused anxiety in some. They were concerned about
crime, substance abuse, nudity, disrupted peace and quiet, and whether
Rainbow gatherers would interfere with town festivities on July 4. In
reality, most of these concerns never materialized into real problems.
Rainbow gatherers coming and going from the event caused traffic congestion
along State routes 100 and 125, especially between July 2 and 7. During the
gathering there was a steady flow of pedestrian traffic along Route 100.
including many hitch hikers on their way to local towns to use phones and
purchase food, supplies or restaurant meals. The congestion was a nuisance
and safety concern, but no accidents or injuries occurred.
Some local citizens were irritated by the increased law enforcement presence
on the State highways and in towns. Some felt it was an unnecessary show of
authority that turned their community into a police state for a week.
Others expressed gratitude for the presence. stating they felt it helped to
keep peace and order in the area and deterred potential criminal activity.
In general, most local businesses experience unprecedented sales as a
direct result of the gathering. Gathering attendees purchased food, beer.
tobacco products, socks, camping supplies, personal hygiene products, etc.
Gas stations also did good business. Restaurants and cafes were often
packed with customers. Such crowds were an unfamiliar sight to many local
citizens. They were also unaccustomed to having to wait in line to buy a
loaf of bread.
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Many businesses were bothered by gathering attend>
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