Rainbows have permit this year – allegedly

Not in Sublette County – this time they are congregating in central New Mexico, and this time they have a permit. Every year, members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light drive, bike, walk and hitchhike to the North American gathering during the first week of July. This year’s gathering is being held near the quiet ranch town of Cuba, N.M., elevation 6,906, population 800. The Forest Service (FS) estimates 600 Rainbows have already arrived in the Santa Fe National Forest. Last year, many Sublette County residents complained when a U.S. Department of Agriculture official allowed the Rainbows to stage a gathering without a permit. But this year things have changed, according to FS Public Information Officer Lawrence Lujan. “We are following our Forest Service policy to require a commercial use permit for 75 participants and above,” Lujan said. “And (the Rainbows) have secured a permit.” Lujan said his agency was informed of the site selection less than three weeks ago. The signed non-commercial permit was issued on June 13. Lujan refused to name the permit holder, saying the information was being withheld to protect the individual’s privacy. Last year, FS representatives met with Sublette County residents and Rainbow Family members two weeks prior to the gathering. Aside from the permit issue, residents were indignant to learn the Rainbows’ site interfered with a Boy Scout Order of the Arrow project in the same location. The Scouts had planned their project many months in advance while the Rainbows made their site selection in the second week of June without consulting the FS...Examiner