Forest Service to allow Rainbow Family to camp in Rio Grande National Forest

The U.S. Forest Service is allowing hundreds of people to camp in the Rio Grande National Forest, despite the fact that the gathering violates strict limits on the number of people allowed in those areas. Forest officials said it's almost impossible to enforce the limits because the campers have no leaders and no one who can give orders. Normally, any group of more than 75 people wanting to use the National Forest would be required to sign a group permit. Instead of a permit, the Forest Service developed an operating plan that outlines its expectations for how the Rainbow Family of Living Light will utilize National Forest resources. The plan includes parking only in marked-off areas, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in kitchens and latrines, and not disturbing archaeological resources such as "wickiups," remnants of Ute shelters that can be difficult to distinguish from firewood. Angie Krall, acting district ranger for the national forest in southern Colorado, said the Rainbow Family was allowed to camp there because the group is exercising its constitutional rights to gather and exercise its religious beliefs...more