here is a electronic copy of the last version of the operation plan for the wyoming gathering. the operation plan was never consensed to but is a good jumping off point.
PDF Version
or
Word version
Unfortunately, neither of those links work for me. My PDF reader says the first is not valid Postscript, while the server seemed to be down when I tried to get the Word doc. Maybe you will have better luck.

Fortunately, somebody translated for us.  – Webmaster


Here's the text only version for those who loathe running a second application to read text only content:

PS: I personally don't approve of the following OP plan as it includes WAY too many details, if we open the door to be regulated, what is to stop it? And IMHO an OPS plan should include the gov't's obligations as much as it includes ours.

There's also many minor details we could spend weeks talking about.

I suggest following the KISS method (keep it simple, stupid) for drafting any of these docs.


OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN
2008 RAINBOW GATHERING
30 June 2008

This Operations and Maintenance plan has been developed to mitigate potential resource impacts associated with the 2008 Rainbow Gathering. This Plan has been developed in lieu of a permit for Non-Commercial Group Uses. It is designed to follow the Standards and Guidelines of the appropriate Forest Plan, and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR's) applicable to National Forest Service System Lands. Copies of existing Forest- Wide and local closure orders will be included as part of this Plan.

These closure orders will be enforced by the Forest Service. The Rainbow Gathering will maintain a volunteer liaison crew (which can and will change on a daily basis) for administrative agreement matters and resource concerns between the Forest Service and the gathering participants. The Forest Service will attempt to ensure daily meetings occur to address concerns that arise.

HEALTH and SAFETY

  1. Individuals are responsible for their own health & safety.
  2. CALM will identify the vehicles to be used for emergencies to the Forest Service. These vehicles will be allowed to egress quickly without unnecessary delays. Calm will be notified of any non life threatening illness discovered by FS personnel at the gathering. People have the right to refuse medical assistance by any entity.
  3. The proper health agencies and the Forest Service will be notified of any contagious outbreaks.
  4. Biological Hazards generated at the CALM tent will be disposed of at an appropriate medical waste disposal facility. No biological hazardous waste may be buried/remain on the site.
  5. Trash will be removed from the site in accordance with State/County sanitation requirements. Only paper and wood trash will be burned, if allowed by State or County regulations. The assigned vehicle for trash removal is 028LNC Arkansas.
  6. Drinking water should be filtered or boiled or treated. Daily water testing for total coliform and fecal e-coli should be performed as County or State requirements dictate.
  7. The gathering will maintain at least one functioning latrine per 100 people. The treatment of human waste is dependant upon numerous factors. Therefore, to assure the health and safety of visitors to the gathering, the following actions should be followed:
    1. Portable toilets should be utilized when feasible. The toilets will be pumped and cleaned as needed.
    2. As an alternative to portable toilets, Slit trenches or earth pit privies may be used. The trenches or privies must meet State or County requirements.
      1. Slit trenches should be constructed on upland sites. They should be located at least 300 feet from surface waters and down slope from any drinking water sources. Trenches should be approximately 12 inches wide and of an adequate length for the anticipated number of people. Buckets of lime or wood ash shall be available at all trench or privy sites. Trenches or pits shall be closed when they fill to within 15 inches of the surface. Disinfectant hand wash should be provided at each location.
  8. Kitchen washing procedures are recommended to be a three bucket system. The first bucket should be a hot soapy wash, the second a clear hot rinse, and the third a lukewarm chlorine rinse (two ounces of chlorine bleach per five gallons of water). Dishes should be allowed to air dry. A hand washing station is recommended for each kitchen area.
  9. An emergency helicopter landing zone will be identified to accommodate emergency evacuation of Flight For Life needs. This area has been defined as the Dutch Joe Guard Station.

RESOURCE PROTECTION

  1. Parking areas will be agreed upon by the Forest Service. The Shanti Sena will provide crews to organize, direct, and provide security for the gathering. Site specific needs will be addressed on location to provide for shuttle, supply, route closures, etc. It is suggested that all vehicles be parked facing out to facilitate and expedite egress from the gathering. Vehicles parked in areas specifically closed for parking, or parked in a manner that interferes with the ingress/egress of emergency vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. A live-in area (Bus Village) will also be agreed upon by the Forest Service. The BLM has identified areas of closure for parking and they will be posted and flagged. Vehicles found within the closure areas will be towed.

    Administrative Parking areas will be identified by the Forest Service. These areas will be large enough to accommodate five vehicles. These areas will be signed and marked. If the area markings are removed, anything stored in that area may be moved, and any vehicles parked in that area may be towed. It is the responsibility of the gathering individuals to insure those areas remain accessible to the Forest Service. Repeat offenses will be investigated by Forest Service Law Enforcement personnel.

  2. Sensitive areas (wetlands, sensitive species, archeological sites, etc.) will be flagged by the Forest Service. Individuals at the gathering are responsible for not camping or congregating within these areas, and for not removing items from these areas (plants, items over 50 years old like bottles, cans, etc.)
  3. Collection of edible and medicinal plants and plant parts should be done in a sustainable manner, with no more than 30% of products in a given area removed.
  4. There will be no camping within 100 feet of running water (or applicable Forest Plan Standard/Guideline).
  5. Gray water and compost pits from Kitchens should be at least 300 feet from running water and should not be located in areas that contain riparian vegetation. It is recommended that they be covered at all times with 4 mil polyethylene or similar material.
  6. Individuals at the gathering will monitor all activities to ensure that soap, disinfectants, medical waste, or any other foreign material will not be introduced into lakes, streams, or other surface waters.
  7. Minimal excavating or digging out around drinking water sources. Use temporary collection techniques (such as rocks, logs, or tarps, etc.) to collect drinking water at the source.
  8. Log crossings over creeks/streams will be constructed as to minimize impacts to the banks.
  9. Local travel management restrictions will be adhered to and followed at all times.
  10. Campfires will be attended to at all times. It is recommended that a shovel and at least one – three to five gallon container of water be placed at each campfire location. Community fires are mandatory – individual fires will not be permitted. It is suggested that the fire pits not exceed a 12 foot diameter and that all top soil be stored and covered for protection.
  11. If local drought conditions dictate, an "Open Fire Closure" may be issued. If it is, no open fires will be allowed. All cooking and warming will have to be accomplished with camp stoves fueled by propane, white gas, or permitted kitchens, etc. Smoking would only be allowed within vehicles or permitted areas.
  12. Only dead and down firewood may be used. No cutting of green vegetation will be allowed without prior approval of the Forest Service.

ANIMALS

  1. Animals must be under control at all times. Verbal controls are not considered "under control" if the animal does not respond to verbal commands.
  2. Harassment of wildlife or livestock will not be tolerated.
  3. Individuals at the gathering will work with local ranchers to ensure their livestock can pass through the area to their summer allotments.

NUDITY

  1. Certain areas of the gathering will be identified as "No Nudity" areas within view of the main road (Rd 850).

COMMUNICATION

  1. Access will be granted for the purpose of locating communication equipment as long as it meets travel management rules.

SITE REHIBILITATION

  1. All parking areas, Bus Village, trails, and areas of concentrated use will be scarified to a depth of 2-4 inches unless deemed unnecessary by the F.S. and gathers and will be seeded with a native seed mix approved by the Forest Service. Seeding will be accomplished by August 1 following the gathering.
  2. Slit trenches and latrines will be filled and covered with the native material originally removed from the pit and mounded with excess material to allow for settling. Any surface waste will removed from the area.
  3. All trash will be removed, recycled, or disposed of at a recognized sanitary landfill, or contracts may be made with local trash hauling companies.
  4. All man made structures not previously existing at the gathering location (bridges, swings, lean-to's, ovens, "art") will be dismantled, removed, or scattered to achieve a natural appearance.
  5. Any user created trails will be returned to as a natural state as possible. Existing trails will be returned to a width specified by the Forest Service, with the appropriate water controls to avoid concentrations of water and to prevent gully formation.
  6. All water lines will be removed from the gathering site.
  7. All vehicles abandoned will be removed from National Forest System lands at the cost of the owners.
  8. Fire pits will be filled with native material originally removed and mounded with excess material to allow for settling. Rocks will be scattered to give a natural appearance to the landscape.
  9. Site specific needs will be identified at a walk through with rainbow volunteer's and the Forest Service after July 4.
  10. There will be a Site Rehabilitation Plan addressing concerns and will be completed by July 6.

GENERAL

  1. Copies of the Operating Plan will be posted at the gathering information center, and at other suitable locations.
  2. The Rainbow gathering individuals will establish contact with local agencies, businesses, and organizations to arrange services and supplies, as needed.
  3. The Rainbow gathering individuals will be responsible for emergency medical coordination and evacuation with area medical facilities.

FOREST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES

  1. I.C.
  2. Planning Chief
  3. Operations
  4. Special Uses/Resources
  5. Information
  6. Health and Safety
  7. District Ranger.

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