Department of Agriculture Forest Service Allegheney National Forest
P.O. Box 847 (814) 723-5150; Fax (814) 726-1465
222 Liberty Street
Warren, PA 16365
File Code: 2700/5300/1230
Date: June 10, 1999
Route to:
Subject.- Delegation of Authority, 1999 Rainbow Family Gathering,
R-9
To: William C. Fox, Incident Commander, National Incident Command
Team
You are hereby delegated authority to manage the 1999 Rainbow
Family National Gathering, which will occur on the Allegheny National
Forest during June and July of 1999. You have the authority and
responsibility to prepare for and manage this event within the
framework and guidlines of the law, Forest Service- policy and
direction set forth -in this lettter. Additional information will
be made available as needed to further clarify your authority
and responsibilities. You and your Team are authorized to begin
working on the event (gathering) immediately.
Your primary performance objectives and guidelines are
as follows--
1. Event Management - Manage this event proactively as
a noncommercial -group use activity under special use authorities
and the Noncommercial Group Use regulations. Mobilize the needed
resources to rnanage the event effectively and efficiently. Pursue
a Noncommercial Group Use Peremit with an operating plan. Intemal
and extemal relationships and communications are extremely critical
and will have to be established and maintained throughout the
course of the event, including- key Forest Service personnel,
cooperating Federal, State and local agencies, as well as members
of the Rainbow Family.. All actions must be well documented and
a final documentation package, including recommendations for management
of future Rainbow Family National Gatherings, will be necessary
2. Human Resources - Ensure that the safety of employees,
assigned personnel, the public. and event participants are considered
throughout the course of the the course of the gathering. Incident
personnel wil follow established Department of Agriculture guidelines
regarding Civil Rights.
3. Information - Provide for internal and external information
exchange through the implementation of a communication plan. Ensure
that the agency cooperators, local officials and the public are
kept informed on the. progress of the event.-Manage media contacts
with the framework of established agency policy.
4. Community Relationss - Establish and maintain strong
community relations. Private landowners, permittees, concessionaires
and the local community are of special concern due to their proximity
to the Gathering and their potential for been impacted. I expect
your team to work with the community and to identify their potential
issues and concerns. You should work with leaders of the Gatherings
to minimize social impacts. Consult with key contacts at the Ranger
District and in The Supervisor's Office; we have a long-standing
relationship with the community and may be able to help in many
situations. It is also expected of the Team to cooperate State,
county and local agencies and organizations in managing the event.
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Delegation of Authority
5. Resource -Protection - We will provide your team with
the expertise of resource specialists and coordinate with representatives
of the Rainbow Family, to develop an operating plan and a rehabilitation
plan that will provide for protection of sensitive sites during
the Gathering, and of rehabilitation of the site when it is concluded.
I have particular concern for management of water quality, archeologic
and historic resources, litter, garbage, human wastes, fire prevention
and wildlife resources. The Forest will gather needed surface
water quality samples taken pre-, during and post event.
6. Costs - Manage the event within the established Program
of Work- Any adjustments to the POW will be agreed upon in advance.
Ensure that all operations are cost-effective, efficient and justificable.Forest
personnel working in support of the Incident will apply charged-as-worked
principles and use the Incident NFS Management code. Forest personnel
assigned to the Incident will require pre-approval by The Incident
Commander before charching to the Incident management code.
The 1999 Rainbow Family National Gathering will likely
bring between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors to our general area.
It is critical that the Team be proactive in working with the
Rainbows, other local, State and Federal agencies, and the local
community.
The Team's assignment will last until mid July.During this
time period, your Incident Management Team will be unavailable
for other assignments. You are: not responsible for initial attack
fire incidents.
The location of the event is -at Bear Creek-on the Marienville
Ranger District During the event, you will report directly to
me. If I am unavailable, Dale Dunshie, will serve as my Acting.
The Team's performance rating will be based on adherence to and
accomplishment of the direction set forth in this delegation of
authority.
John E. Palmer
Forest Supervisor Date 6/10/99