The Plumas National Forest has issued a statement regarding the confirmed gathering of the Rainbow Group 5 miles North of Antelope Lake in the Mount Hiough Ranger District.
The Rainbow Gathering, a group formed in the early 1970s, is described as a “loose-knit group” that meets annually, usually in remote forests, to escape modern society in a spirit of unity and peace. Participants sing, dance, cook, share experiences, and attend workshops.
The South Warner Mountains in Modoc County was the original proposed location this year. It was met with a strong message from Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy, stating there would be a significant presence before, during, and after the proposed event. He added that there will be a zero-tolerance stance to local public concerns and emphasized that there will be civil consequences to address any damages caused by the large group.
Riddled with controversy, some say the group is peaceful and resourceful, respecting the lands they occupy, while others claim they have caused destruction and damage.
The Susanville Indian Rancheria has also responded to the gathering, with Tribal Vice Chairman Robert Joseph stating they appreciated the notice of intent, but the SIR “does not support this gathering” taking place on ancestral lands overlapping Lassen, Plumas, and Modoc Counties. The response indicated that the protection of the tribe’s “cultural and religious resources” is of “highest priority and concern.”
The Spring Council met just this past Saturday at Roxie Penconom Campgrounds in the Lassen National Forest to confirm a meeting location for this year.
Plumas Forest officials deem the group an unauthorized Noncommercial Group Use Incident. They note that it will peak with the Fourth of July holiday, and participants are already arriving in the area. The highest concentration of visitors to the Forest for this event is expected during the first week of July.
It is added that an incident of this size can significantly impact traffic, communities, local resources, residents, and visitors. Local businesses can expect to see large numbers of Rainbow Family participants visiting stores and buying food and supplies along routes to the incident location. Forest and local roads in the vicinity may become congested during the incident, and road closures and/or traffic detours may occur.
Plumas County Sheriffs Todd Johns and Lassen County Sheriff John McGarva will join the Sierra Radio Network tomorrow at noon to discuss potential impacts and what you can expect.
For more information about the Unauthorized Noncommercial Group Use Incident, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/rainbowgathering.
