Mr. Garrick Beck
930 Baca Street, #10
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Dear Mr. Beck:

This is in response to your June 25, 2003, request for an amendment to the noncommercial group use permit issued on June 17, 2003, to the Individuals Assembling For Expressive Activity and Meditation For Peace. You requested that a Forest Special Order be issued to exclude all horses, (Forest Service and those owned by the public) from the area authorized by your permit

Your permit amendment request is denied. As you know, the Forest Service Team assigned to help the Ranger District manage this large noncommercial group use event includes a mounted officer unit. That unit is essential to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the special use permit, public safety, and the safety of the Forest Service resource and law enforcement employees assigned to this event.

Your request expressed several concerns about use of the horses within the authorized area. Your concerns and our response as as follows:

"The horses tromp through the streams, damaging stream banks, distrubing silt and doubtless harming the cuttlimat trout population. They mush their hooves far deeper into the trail soil than people's feet do, making it much muddier, and significantly harder, to reclaim and rehab the trail system. They deficate regularly in all types of locations, near kitchens, on trails, near running water, etc. This is an unacceptable health hazard for the individuals assembling...."

Prior to the horse patrol units entering the authorized area, the patrol captain conferred with Evanston Ranger District personnel, including a fisheries biologist, to determine the stream crossing locations that would be acceptable and the least impactive to the fisheries. Several crossing areas were identified, mainly those areas where the horses could step or jump across the streams. The patrol unit has tried to follow this guideline and will continue to do so. Please be aware, however, that if there is need for the officers to cross in other locations to quickly enter an area, they will do so.

Patrol officers are tying to keep horses an acceptable distance from kitchens and running water sources to minimize the potential for contamination.

In addition to your permit amendment request, your June 25 letter asked that I consider several items.

A. Dogs. Forest Special Order 04-19-129, issued on June 24, 2003, requires that all dogs be on a leash or otherwise confined (36 CFR 261.5[e]).

As you stated in your requrest, the authorized area received heavy snowfall on June 23 and 24. You feel that the snowfall prevented effective communication among the group; therefore, many people were not informed of the leashing requirement. However, your permit was issued on June 17 and Forest resource and law enforcement officers repeatedly warned anyone they encountered with a dog about the leash requirement prior to the Order's June 24 effective date. In addition, the closure order was posted on the information boards and on some of the material handed out by you and the group. I feel sufficient time was allowed before citations were issued. The requirement for leashing is primarily a matter of public health and safety.

B. Kitchen Locations.

There were 4 kitchens established in locations which are in violation of the special use permit, operating plan requirements, and Forest Special Order 04-19-128. Placement of kitchen facilities (including food preparation areas) or gray water pits must be located at least 300 feet from any running stream or body of water for public health and safety (36 CFR 261.53(e)). The referenced 4 kitchens are Yo Marna, Montana Mud, Crystal Rainbow, and Shining Light. I understand that Montana Mud and Yo Mama kitchens have moved to comply with the above requirements. Thank you for your cooperation. Bernard Asay, Resource Advisor, is currently working with the Shining Light and Crystal Rainbow kitchens to find a solution.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or Lynn Bidlack. I appreciate your continued cooperation to make this event safe and successful.

Sincerely,