<\/p>\n
Businesses that rely on the Animas River to drive seasonal operations say the true impacts from the contamination may not be felt for months to come.<\/p>\n
Andy Corra, an owner of Durango-based 4 Corners Riversports, a paddle sports retail store and rental center located on the banks of the Animas River, said August is usually considered the \u201cprofit month\u201d within the industry.<\/p>\n
By August, many business owners have paid off operational investments, paving the way for profits to roll in. But revenue has decreased to a crawl, slower than the pace of the sludge moving through the Animas. To lose revenue in August impacts business operations months down the road when owners need to reinvest, Corra said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re used to very seasonal (business) fluctuations in different years and droughts. But normally we see that stuff coming, as far as inventory goes,\u201d Corra said. \u201cWith this, we were having our best season ever, so we were fully stocked and ready to go. It\u2019s a different situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buck Skillen, who works at Duranglers, a local fly shop that also offers guide services, said he has not seen much of an impact from the event. But his shop has been inundated with calls from people who want to know whether it\u2019s worth coming to Durango for fishing opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey think, \u2018Oh my god, I\u2019m going to Durango and I can\u2019t fish.\u2019 But thankfully folks call and we explain to them what the situation is, that there\u2019s plenty of other water available to us,\u201d Skillen said.<\/p>\n
He worries, however, about the years ahead. With the Animas River incident making national headlines, Skillen fears that people might cross Durango off their list as a place to vacation.<\/p>\n
Drew Beezley, co-owner of 4 Corners Whitewater Rafting in Durango, said his business has already taken a $10,000 hit. He also worries about impacts in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople, they\u2019re still probably going to be scared about it, even if they open it back up, because the uncertainty will still be in the air \u2013 in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
The issue is a sticky one for Durango tourism leaders. Bob Kunkel, executive director of the Durango Area Tourism Office, said that tourism leaders want to let people know that Durango is open for business, but they don\u2019t want to highlight the damage through a public-relations campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us to go alert a whole bunch of tourists about the river, who aren\u2019t even aware, all we\u2019ve done is unnecessarily spread the story,\u201d Kunkel said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, tourism leaders are explaining to callers that the mustard-yellow plume is passing and the drinking water is fine. Hotels report having strong bookings and campgrounds appear full, according to Kunkel.<\/p>\n
The La Plata County Economic Development Alliance held a board meeting Monday to discuss economic impacts. Roger Zalneraitis, executive director of the alliance, said he has heard from 10 businesses that have been directly affected, including rafting companies, a plant nursery, an angling company, a farmer, real-estate agents, a photographer and a sport shop.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to look at different avenues for business assistance, such as other federal agencies than EPA and a potential extension of Enterprise Zones in La Plata County that were otherwise set to expire,\u201d Zalneraitis said.<\/p>\n
Enterprise Zones are a state tax-credit and incentive program to help new or expanding businesses in a designated, economically distressed area.<\/p>\n
A business group was established on Monday \u2013 consisting of the alliance, the Durango Business Improvement District and the Durango Chamber of Commerce \u2013 to make sure that businesses can connect with federal and state officials to have their questions answered. The idea is to move forward with a unified message.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure that we are getting the best info possible to businesses so they can respond and plan appropriately and not go on a turkey shoot that will do nothing more than waste time and effort on their part,\u201d Zalneraitis said.<\/p>\n
Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours still offers rafting trips at Moab, Utah, down the Colorado River, or Jeep tours and a bus trip to Silverton using the train for the return trip.<\/p>\n
\u201cEconomically it is difficult. Emotionally it is troubling to see the river hurt like this.\u201d said Alex Mickel, Mild to Wild\u2019s owner.<\/p>\n