The Folks at the Santa Fe National Forest have set up a Rainbow Gathering page on their website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/rainbow/index.html
I think it shows, when the local foresters make efforts to be positive, that there is a significant split in philosophies between the Resource and Law Enforcement branches of the FS. This division is not simply one of policy but also of funding. Both sections of the FS obtain special funding as a result of the Gathering, but it is the unique mission of each branch which is at the core of the nature of their responses to the Gathering.
Stewards Of The Forests
“Caring for the Land and Serving People” is the Forest Service 
Motto and it’s ironic when reading the Forest Service Mission Statement how much of their “Vision” lines up with Rainbow Family beliefs and actions on the land. Indeed twelve of the thirteen “Guiding Principles” are, in intent, totally Rainbow! The history of relations between Rainbows and FS Resource have shown that some conflict is natural and we strive to deal with it and that partnerships to achieve shared goals bring about mutual respect and cooperation. Individuals come to Gatherings to celebrate Life and the Land and to express themselves spiritually and socially. FS Officers should be assisting individuals in experiencing and utilizing the forests by emphasizing education. I have shared in wonderful conversations and have worked with FS Resource on protecting and restoring Gathering Sites. Often local FS projects in Gathering Sites which have been postponed or abandoned are resurrected by special funding and media or community attention due to the Gathering. Because FS Resource is oriented towards Land and Resource Management officers in this branch are more likely to promote grassroots participation in decisions and activities and mitigate situations rather than aggravate them.
Authority And Jurisdiction
While the Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations
Branch (LEI) shares the FS Motto it’s role in the forests is not concerned with most of the Guide Principles. The primary focus of their jobs is the protection of natural resources, protection of Forest Service employees and the protection of visitors. However in regards in to the Gatherings their actions have become increasingly unreasonable and discriminatory. Since the citing of individuals on Forest Service Permit Violations in 1999 and the post 9/11 Law Enforcement environment which encouraged questionable policies, FS Law Enforcement under the umbrella of the National Incident Management Team (NIMT) have set out on a campaign of harassment. The incidents at the Wyoming 2008 Gathering were so extreme that the Wyoming ACLU issued a report condemning the FS. The FS LEI spent over $1,000,000 for the Wyoming Gathering in 2008 and acquired Tasers which were used recklessly on individuals. The Gatherings have allowed the FS LEI to pad their budget each year and engage in purchases of exotic surveillance equipment like Unmanned Drones and Night Scopes. The employment of such sophisticated technology and the para-military tactics now utilized by the FS at the Gatherings suggest that these events are being used as “Real Time” Exercises. Essentially the FS Law Officers have ceased to operate as Peacekeepers at Gatherings.
