July 8, 2015: Annual Rainbow Gathering Update

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 7/8/15                 

July 8, 2015: Annual Rainbow Gathering Update

Custer, SD – The Rainbow Family gathering is officially over and most of the gatherers have left the area.  More are expected to be leaving throughout the week. A small group of gatherers will remain to clean up the site until rehabilitation guidelines provided by the Forest Service have been met.   

US Forest Service officials continue to monitor the gathering to ensure public health and safety, cultural and natural resource protection and compliance with special orders.  

July 6, 2015: Rainbow Gathering Update

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 7/06/15                 

July 6, 2015: Rainbow Gathering Update

Custer, SD – As the Rainbow Family Gathering comes to an end, Forest Service resource specialists have begun discussing the rehabilitation plan with remaining Rainbow gatherers.  A group of Rainbow gatherers will stay behind to complete rehabilitation efforts that will include trash removal, obliteration of user-created trails, filling and covering slit trenches, and dismantling of any structures constructed for the gathering.

Approximately 1,075 Rainbow Family members were gathered this morning on the Black Hills National Forest. Approximately 1,700 people participated at the peak of the gathering.

US Forest Service officials continue to monitor the gathering to ensure public health and safety, cultural and natural resource protection and compliance with special orders. 

July 5, 2015: Rainbow Gathering Update

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 7/05/15                  

July 5, 2015:  Rainbow Gathering Update

Custer, SD – At the peak of the Rainbow Family gathering, approximately 1700 people participated on the Black Hills National Forest. The gathering officially ends on July 7^th and a majority of people at the gathering are expected to depart in the next couple of days. 

The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.  

US Forest Service officials continue to monitor the gathering to ensure public health and safety, cultural and natural resource protection and compliance with special orders. 

July 3, 2015: Rainbow Gathering Update

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 7/3/15                 

July 3, 2015:  Rainbow Gathering Update

Custer, SD – Approximately 1,525 Rainbow Family members have now arrived on the Black Hills National Forest.  The Rainbow Family gathering has officially started and will go through July 7^th, with July 4^th being the main event.  Numbers of gatherers continue to increase daily. 

The majority of participants are expected to leave the gathering site between the 5^th and 7^th. 

US Forest Service officials continue to monitor the gathering to ensure public health and safety, cultural and natural resource protection and compliance with special orders. 

The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.

As a reminder, fireworks or possession of fireworks are prohibited on the Black Hills National Forest and within the Black Hills Fire Protection District.

Rainbow Gathering Starts Official Second Day

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 7/2/15                 

Rainbow Gathering Starts Official Second Day

Custer, SD – Approximately 1,315 Rainbow Family members have arrived on the Black Hills National Forest.  The National Rainbow Family gathering officially started yesterday, July 1^st, and continues through July 7^th, with July 4^th being the main event. 

Numbers of gatherers are expected to increase daily. The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.  

US Forest Service officials continue to monitor the gathering to ensure public health and safety, cultural and natural resource protection and compliance with special orders. 

Today, a mobile federal court is being held for citations that have been issued. Questions regarding court and citations can be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s office at (605) 341-1915.

As a reminder, fireworks or possession of fireworks are prohibited on the Black Hills National Forest and within the Black Hills Fire Protection District.

Rainbow Gathering Officially Starts

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 7/1/15                 

Rainbow Gathering Officially Starts

Custer, SD – Approximately 975 Rainbow Family members have arrived on the Black Hills National Forest.  The National Rainbow Family gathering officially starts today, July 1^st, and goes through July 7^th, with July 4^th being the main event. 

Numbers of gatherers are expected to increase daily.  The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.  

US Forest Service officials continue to monitor the gathering to ensure public health and safety, cultural and natural resource protection and compliance with special orders. 

A mobile federal court will be held tomorrow, July 2, for citations that have been issued.  Questions regarding court and citations can be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s office at (605) 341-1915.

Attendance Increasing at National Rainbow Gathering

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 6/29/15                 

Attendance Increasing at National Rainbow Gathering

Custer, SD – Approximately 750 Rainbow Family members have now arrived on the Mystic Ranger District site.  The National Rainbow Family gathering will officially start on July 1st and go through July 7^th, with July 4^th being the main event.  Numbers of gatherers are expected to increase daily.  The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.  

Local resource advisors continue to visit the site daily to check on the gatherers compliance with the operating plan that is in place to assure protection of cultural and natural resources. US Forest Service law enforcement officials will be ensuring compliance with the terms of the operating plan and the other special orders that have been put into place.

Town Hall Meeting Addresses Citizens Questions

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 6/27/15                  

Town Hall Meeting Addresses Citizens Questions

Custer, SD– Approximately 70 people attended a public information meeting in Hill City Friday evening sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service regarding the Rainbow Family Gathering. Craig Bobzien, Forest Supervisor for the Black Hills National Forest and Ruth Esperance, District Ranger for the Mystic District provided updates on Incident Management Team goals and efforts on the ground to provide for public safety and protection of cultural and natural resources.

“We continue to focus on efforts to protect cultural and natural resources within the Rainbow Family gathering vicinity,” said Craig Bobzien Forest Supervisor for the Black Hills National Forest. “The Forest Service has implemented some temporary and localized special orders to protect public health and safety and protect sensitive resources in the gathering site vicinity."

At the meeting, Hill City residents asked questions about open fires, water quality and impacts on local businesses. The Forest Service developed an operating plan for the gathering that addresses the localized impacts associated with a gathering of up to 5,000 people in the national forest. This operating plan includes measures that address public health and safety, protect cultural and natural resources and rehabilitation standards after the gathering.  Additionally, the Forest Service is working with local and state agencies, to provide current information about the gathering. Since the Rainbow Family selected their gathering site, the Forest Service has been making daily contacts with local businesses and responding to information from those contacts with the appropriate local and state agencies and law enforcement. 

The Rainbow Family selects a site generally two weeks prior to the height of the event where smaller groups will begin to arrive to set up their infrastructure. Others will slowly begin to move in the week before the main event. Generally, the gathering dates are from July 1 to 7 with July 4 considered as the peak in terms of gatherers on sight.

The Forest Service is updating two information boards in Hill City to provide current information related to the 2015 National Rainbow Family Gathering. One information board is located at Krull’s Market at 531 E. Main Street and the other board is near Integrity Realty at 296 Main Street.

Forest Service and its National Incident Management Team Making communication a number one priority for Rainbow Gathering

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 6/26/15                  

Forest Service and its National Incident Management Team

Making communication a number one priority for Rainbow Gathering

Custer, SD – The US Forest Service and National Incident Management Team officials are working with county, state, and federal law enforcement representatives as Rainbow Family members continue to arrive this week on the Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District.

“Our primary goals are to provide for public and employee safety and to protect cultural and natural resources,” said Craig Bobzien, Forest Supervisor for the Black Hills National Forest.  “Communications are a priority. We have worked diligently with team, staff and cooperators to assure the public is informed with our daily news releases, community information boards and updates. We are pleased to host the Town Hall meeting tonight as a more personal outreach to share information and answer questions,” he said.

The town hall meeting will be held Friday, June 26, 2015, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club at 297 Walnut Ave, Hill City, SD.  Members of the National Incident Management Team and Black Hills National Forest will provide an update and be available for questions.  Please call (605) 340-0573 for more information about the meeting.

The Forest Service is updating two information boards in Hill City to provide current information related to the 2015 National Rainbow Family Gathering. One information board is located at Krull’s Market at 531 E. Main Street and the other board is near Integrity Realty at 296 Main Street.

Two Information Boards in Hill City

Two information boards have been established in Hill City.  They are located at Krull's Market, 531 East Main and near Integrity Realty, 296 Main Street.  Press releases, maps, and other information related to the Forest Service's management of the impacts of the Rainbow Gathering will be posted.  Forest Service staff will intermittently be available at the board to answer questions.

Forest Service and its National Incident Management Team Focused on Safety and Cultural and Natural Resource Protection

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 6/25/15                  

Forest Service and its National Incident Management Team

Focused on Safety and Cultural and Natural Resource Protection

Custer, SD – The Rainbow Family of Living Light continue to gather on the Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District.  The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.  While historically the event has drawn anywhere from 7,000-20,000 people, this year’s attendance is expected to be less than 5,000.  Participants will continue to arrive through next week with the peak population occurring around July 4.

The Forest Service, and its National Incident Management Team, is focused on efforts to provide for the safety of all forest visitors and protect cultural and natural resources.  “The Forest Service, along with its National Incident Management Team, has been onsite proactively working with Gathering members to protect cultural and natural resources and address safety issues,” said Ruth Esperance, District Ranger for the Mystic Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest.

A town hall meeting will be held Friday, June 26, 2015, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club at 297 Walnut Ave, Hill City, SD.  Members of the National Incident Management Team and Forest Service will provide an update and be available for questions.

To facilitate public access to information, the Incident Management Team established a blog to post current information and updates at http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/.

Town Hall Meeting Planned for Rainbow Gathering

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 6/24/15                  

Town Hall Meeting Planned for Rainbow Gathering

Custer, SD – A town hall meeting will be held to discuss the Rainbow Gathering. 

The meeting will be held Friday, June 26, 2015, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club at 297 Walnut Ave, Hill City, SD.

“The purpose of this town hall meeting is to inform the public of the event and answer any questions they may have,” said Black Hills National Forest Supervisor Craig Bobzien.

Forest Service and National Incident Management Team personnel will present an update of the current situation, provide background information and answer questions. 

The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake or approximately 22 miles northwest of Hill City, SD.

The Rainbow Family is a self-described loose knit group of people without leadership or organization who participate in a national gathering once a year. They come from all across the country.  Since 1972, the event has taken place on a different national forest annually during a two-week period surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. 

For more information, contact Public Information Officers at (605) 340-0573 or visit http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/.

Information Board

An information board has been set up at Krull's Market in Hill City.  Press releases, maps, and other information related to the Forest Service's management of the impacts of the Rainbow Gathering will be posted.  Forest Service staff will intermittently be available at the board to answer questions.

Rainbow Gathering Continues - Black Hills National Forest

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/

Date: 6/23/15                  

Rainbow Gathering Continues -

Black Hills National Forest

Custer, SD – The Rainbow Family of Living Light continue to gather on the Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake.  Typically participants come from across the country to the gatherings which have historically attracted 7,000-20,000 people. Participants will continue to arrive with the peak expected during the week of July 4.

“While Rainbow Gatherings have been held on National Forests annually since 1972, these gatherings are not Forest Service events,” said Craig Bobzien, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor. “To ensure public and employee safety, and cultural and natural resource protection, Forest Service personnel are on-site daily.” 

Local Forest Service personnel are working on an operating plan to manage the impacts to the gathering site. The primary goals of the operating plan are: employee and public health and safety; to minimize impacts to cultural and natural resources; to leave the site at or near pre-gathering conditions; to minimize impacts and disruptions to the local communities; and to maintain community and partner relationships.

To facilitate public access to information, the Incident Management Team established a blog to post current information and updates at http://blackhillsnf2015rainbowgatheringinfo.blogspot.com/.

National Rainbow Gathering To Be Held On Black Hills National Forest

U.S. Forest Service – News Release

Black Hills National Forest ● Public Affairs Office ● 1019 N. Fifth Street

Custer, SD  57730 ● Voice (605) 673-9216 ● Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Public Information (605) 340-0573

Date: 6/22/15                  

National Rainbow Gathering To Be Held On

Black Hills National Forest

Custer, SD – The Rainbow Family of Living Light have chosen to hold their 2015 National Rainbow Gathering on the Black Hills National Forest, Mystic Ranger District.  The gathering site is located approximately three air miles southwest of Deerfield Lake.  Participants come from all walks of life drawing anywhere from 7,000-20,000 people.  Participants will continue to arrive for the next couple of weeks with the peak population during week of July 4.

• The Rainbow Family is a self-described loose knit group of people without leadership or organization who participate in a national gathering once a year. They come from all across the country.  Since 1972, the event has taken place on a different national forest annually during a two-week period surrounding the Fourth of July holiday and has grown in size, attracting up to 20,000+ people. 

• Any event of this size can have significant impacts on traffic, communities, local resources, residents and visitors.  Local businesses can expect to see large numbers of Rainbow Family participants visiting stores, buying food and supplies along routes to the gathering site.  Areas are expected to be very congested during that time.

• Because of the magnitude of this event, the Forest Service utilizes an agency National Incident Management Team (NIMT) in coordination with local Forest Service personnel to manage the impacts of this event.  The Forest Service NIMT has arrived on the Black Hills National Forest and is working with various local agencies to provide first and foremost for employee and public health and safety, followed by managing and minimizing adverse impacts to cultural and natural resources.