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.
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 "profit month" within the industry.
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.
"We're used to very seasonal (business) fluctuations in different years and droughts. But normally we see that stuff coming, as far as inventory goes," Corra said. "With this, we were having our best season ever, so we were fully stocked and ready to go. It's a different situation."
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's worth coming to Durango for fishing opportunities.
"They think, 'Oh my god, I'm going to Durango and I can't fish.' But thankfully folks call and we explain to them what the situation is, that there's plenty of other water available to us," Skillen said.
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.
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.
"People, they're still probably going to be scared about it, even if they open it back up, because the uncertainty will still be in the air - in the water."
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't want to highlight the damage through a public-relations campaign.
"For us to go alert a whole bunch of tourists about the river, who aren't even aware, all we've done is unnecessarily spread the story," Kunkel said.
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.
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.
"We 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," Zalneraitis said.
Enterprise Zones are a state tax-credit and incentive program to help new or expanding businesses in a designated, economically distressed area.
A business group was established on Monday - consisting of the alliance, the Durango Business Improvement District and the Durango Chamber of Commerce - 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.
"We 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," Zalneraitis said.
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.
"Economically it is difficult. Emotionally it is troubling to see the river hurt like this." said Alex Mickel, Mild to Wild's owner.
pmarcus@durangoherald.com. Herald Staff Photographer Jerry McBride contributed to this report.
Economic assistance
Beginning Tuesday, residents can file a claim for loss of employment or loss of revenue. To get the form, visit www.epaosc.org/GoldKingMine and click on Standard Form 95. Submit signed electronic versions of Standard Form 95 to EPA by e-mail at R8_GKM_Claims@epa.gov. Although EPA's regulations state that the EPA has six months to resolve a claim, the agency said it will make every effort to respond to Gold King Mine release claims as soon as possible. Claims must be presented to EPA within two years after the claim accrues.
