A longtime counterculture festival, now in its fifth decade and typically held over the July Fourth holiday, is being disrupted by U.S. Forest Service officials due to a lack of proper permits and worries about environmental damage.
The Rainbow Family of Living Light gathering was planned for the first week of July in California’s Plumas National Forest. However, on June 25, U.S. Forest Service officials issued an order for people to leave the area. Those who don’t comply could face fines up to $5,000 or a six-month jail sentence.
“The Forest is concerned about the 500-plus individuals already dispersed camping in a concentrated area. We are always willing to work with any organization or group interested in recreating on the national forest. There are existing and projected impacts on natural and cultural resources and other authorized uses. Our priority is maintaining public health and safety and the appropriate stewardship of public lands and natural resources,” said Chris Carlton, Plumas National Forest Supervisor, in a Wednesday statement.
While today’s retro trend might focus more on the 1990s and 2000s, the Rainbow Family gatherings are all about the traditional hippie commune experience, happening annually during the first week of July.
Rainbow Family roots go back more than 50 years
Founded in Colorado back in 1972, the Rainbow Family gatherings were partly started by military veterans dealing with issues like alcoholism, drug dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Setting up camp on public land, similar to Burning Man or a Grateful Dead concert, is a core part of the experience. Attendance figures vary each year, but the U.S. Forest Service estimated up to 10,000 visitors this year.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Forest Service described this year’s gathering as an “unauthorized noncommercial group use incident,” which can significantly impact traffic, local communities, resources, residents, and visitors.
This less-than-legal nature often puts the gathering at odds with local law enforcement over issues like drug use, sanitation, and forest damage.
Even though many attendees work hard to minimize their environmental impact, the sheer size of these gatherings has, in past years, led to various incidents and arrests.
“Every year, the Plumas National Forest sees a large surge in visitors in late June and early July, enjoying not only summer recreation in the forest but also numerous events in our communities around the July Fourth holiday,” said Supervisor Chris Carlton in a press release earlier this week. “We understand the addition of the Rainbow Family Gathering on the Plumas National Forest raises concerns about additional impacts to our local communities, natural resources, and the environment. We will be working with the incident team to minimize adverse effects as much as possible.”
Lassen County Supervisor Jason Ingram supported the U.S. Forest Service’s decision on social media, stating on Facebook, “My concerns with this gathering were always about its illegality, the increased fire risk, the environmental impact, and the blatant disrespect shown to our local tribes. Events are fine, but not ones that blatantly disregard the law and endanger our land and community fire safety.”
