APPENDIX F

FOREST SERVICE WELCOME FLYER


1991 NATIONAL RAINBOW GATHERING
GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST
ROCHESTER RANGER DISTRICT

Welcome to the 20th annual National Rainbow Family Gathering from Addison County, Vermont and the Green Mountain National Forest.

The land you will be gathering on is National Forest land that is part of the Rochester Ranger District. District Ranger Rob hwamoto is the administrator. He and Sheriff Jim Coons share responsibility for public health, safety and for the protection of property, natural and social resources, and environmental values in and around the Gathering area To redeem this responsibility they will maintain a presence at the Gathering. it is their intent to be unobtrusive, and with your cooperation, they will work with you to make this Gathering:

AN EXAMPLE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE RAINBOW FAMILY, THE FOREST SERVICE, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS AREA RESIDENTS AND OTHERS THAT WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR FUTURE RAINBOW FAMILY GATHERINGS.

We want your experience here to be a good one. The following thoughts should help you achieve this. You'll find they are very similar to the philosophies and practices of the Rainbow Family.

SANITATION - During the Gathering, several thousand people will be living in a relativly small area that does not include modem sanitation facilities. For the welfare of all, it is important that everyone use the provided latrine facilities. 8 is also important that dish and other waste water be disposed in designated dry wells or other posted disposal areas.

GARBAGE AND OTHER SOLID WASTE - If it can be recycled, please deposit it at the recycling stations that are scattered throughout the Gathering site. Dispose other materials by taking it with you when you leave. Buming refuse in Vermont is not allowed.

Throughout the area you may come across old 'debris' that is either laying on the ground or partially buried. You may be urged to pick up these items in order to clean up the site. Please let these items lie as they may have historic value. You need only be concemed with the garbage you or other Rainbows bring in.

WATER - Water available at the Gathering site should be considered contaminated. Treat all water before using it for drinking, cooking or dishwashing. A simple and effective way to treat water is to bring it to a full rolling boil for at least fnre minutes. If you do this you'll be safe from giardia and water-bome bacteria.

Several brooks are located in and around the Gathering area You're welcome to swim there. However, please don't use soap or shampoo in the streams, or use them to soak or wash dishes, pots or pans. NOTE that Texas Falls, located south of the Gathering site, is CLOSED TO SWIMMING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS!

INSECTS - You will find a host of stinging and biting insects in the woods, as well as wood and deer ticks. Insect repellents have some effect, but in general the bugs are something you'll have to put up with. Deer ticks cany Lyme's disease. They're small, ranging up to the size of this 'o', and hard to detect. More information about ticks and Lyme's disease will be available at information centers in the Gathering site.

CAMPFIRES - Campfires should be located on bare soil, away from travel routes and fiammable materials, including shelters. FIREWOOD - You're welcome to collect dead and down wood from National Forest land for use as firewood. If you need help finding an area to collect from, please let us know.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL - Some of you will need material for the construction of shelters, kitchens and other things. Again, you're welcome to use dead and down wood from National Forest land. If you need green material let us know and we'll work with you to find 1 and issue needed permits.

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ILLNESS - if you become ill during the Gathering we suggest you seek medical assistance as soon as posslDle. We recommend that anyone not feeling well retrain from helping with food preparations to prevent the spread of diseases that can be transmitted through food handling.

MEDICAL SERVICES - Medical services are available in several nearby towns. The Rainbow Family has contacted the providers of these services and can advise you concerning them.

EMERGENCY MESSAGES - We will work with the Rainbow Famity volunteer team to deliver emergency messages to the Gathering as soon as we can. In addition, they will be posted within the Gathering area at information centers.

ROAD CLOSURE - In order to help the Rainbow Family and to provide for user safety, the road leading to the Gathering from Vermont Route 100 (Forest Road 55) is closed. All access to the Gathering site will be from Vermont Route 125 through the Texas Falls Recreation Area The Rainbow Family Welcome Center is located about 2 miles north of the Texas Falls picnic area.

PARKING - Parking near the Gathering site is VERY limited. We ask that you observe the NO PARKING | NO CAMPING signs posted along access routes and other area roads. In addition to Forest Roads, there is NO PARKING along State Routes 100 and 125. Illegally parked vehicles WILL BE TOWED AT OWNERS' EXPENSE. Please cooperate with Rainbow Family parking crews and others directing traffic. The Rainbow Family will provide shuttle services from the parking areas to entrances leading to the main Gathering site.

GROCERIES AND SUPPLIES - These things will be available in all nearby communities. The Rainbow Family will contact local merchants and make arrangements for many of the things you will need. We urge you to patronize the local businesses. They are willing and waiting to serve you.

SPECIAL AREAS - Special areas within the Gathering site will be marked and signed. They will include things such as research areas and cultural sites. We're sure you'll want to help us protect them by leaving them undisturbed.

PRIVATE PROPERTY - There are many areas in and around the Gathering area which are private lands and camps. Please respect the rights of private landowners and their properties. if you have any question about the lands being National Forests or private lands, ask first; we are here to help you.

HELICOPTER LANDING AREAS - With the cooperation of Rainbow Family members, a helicopter landing area has been identified to serve the Gathering site. We need your help in keeping it available for emergency use. Please don't encumber or camp within its marked perimeter.

PHOTOGRAPHS - You may encounter Forest Service folks taking photographs of Gathering activities and features. Their purpose is to develop a record that can be used to give others an understanding of the event. and for resource protection purposes. They will ask permission before a photo is taken.

PETS - if your pet is with you, please keep a on a leash or otherwise restrain them, and clean up after it. when exposed to large crowds or children, even the friendliest animals can misbehave. Like people, pets can be infected with Lyme disease. Flea collars and sprays available from veterinarians will reduce the possibility of the tick bites that spread the disease.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS - We will appreciate your support and cooperation to protect all National Forest, State, private landowners' and residents' resources. Please help us by complying with all State and Federal laws and regulations which local officials will be coordinating to enforce.

AGAIN, WELCOME! WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO PROVIDING YOU AND OTHERS WHO ATTEND THIS YEAR'S RAINBOW FAMILY GATHERING WITH A PLEASANT AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.

TERRY HOFFMAN
Forest Supervisor

ROB IWAMOTO
Rochester District Ranger

JIM COONS
Addlson County Sheriff


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