A section of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Lumpkin County will remain closed to overnight campers through at least Sunday, July 15 as officials assess and rehabilitate an area used for the Rainbow Family of Living Light Gathering.
The 2018 event, which attracted an estimated 4,500 campers, ended on July 4, and the closure for campers was effective, Sunday July 8, according to a press statement from USFS officials.
Rehabilitation on the site near Bull Mountain in Lumpkin County began this past Friday.
A group from the Rainbow Family stayed behind to assist with the rehabilitation effort, and they will be allowed to camp in the area while the clean-up is underway.
"Any time several thousand people concentrate in one area of the national forest, there are visible impacts to vegetation, soil and other natural resources," said District Ranger Andy Baker in the press statement. "During the gathering, we worked hard to minimize effects to our local communities and the environment. Now that it is over, we are working with the participants to ensure that they pack out what they packed in and leave no trace for future visitors."
Baker said cleanup and restoration efforts include:
- Trash removal, including abandoned camping supplies;
- Taking apart and scattering any constructed feature like clay ovens;
- Raking and loosening any compacted soil;
- Rehabilitating user-created trails;
- Removing constructed water crossings like bridges and stepping stones;
- Eradicating any constructed dams or pools to allow streams to return to their natural flow; and
- Covering latrines with soil and mound to account for settling over time.
During the day, the trails will be open for use, according to Baker. However, the trails are to be used by hikers, bicyclists and horses only; no motorized vehicle traffic is permitted.
While July 15 is targeted as the final day targeted for camping restrictions, officials said it is possible the closure could last longer, depending on how long clean-up efforts take.
