Sheriff lifts Animas River recreation ban

by Missy Votel

Durango, start your pumping.

At noon today, Sheriff Sean Smith, along with the blessing of the local and state health departments, declared the Animas River officially open for business.

“My primary concern is the public health and safety of our community, said Smith, ordered the river closed on Thurs., Aug. 6.  "With the release of preliminary results from the state health department and its accompanying recommendation, I am opening our river for recreation.”

However, the opening comes with a caveat. Although the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment does not anticipate adverse health effects from exposure to contaminants in the river's water and sediment during typical recreational activities, user are advised to take some common sense precautions:

- Despite Gov. John Hickenlooper's display earlier in the week, don’t drink untreated water from the river

- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with the sediment and surface water.

- Avoid contact in areas where there is visible discoloration in sediment or river water.

- Wash clothes after contact with sediments and surface water.

Samples taken from the Animas River by the state health department show that the river has returned to stable conditions that are not a concern for human health. However, some discoloration of the water when the sediment is disturbed or due to ongoing flushing of ditches in the Animas Valley should be expected.

In addition to river users, ranchers have been given the go ahead by the Colorado Department of Agriculture Veterinarian's Office to water livestock using Animas River water as well. “The information we have received shows that water quality levels are comparable to those prior to the spill,” said state veterinarian Dr. Carl Heckendorf. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if it becomes necessary.”

As for farmers and gardeners who use water from the Animas for crop irrigation, whether or not they can use river water is crop-specific, and they should call the CSU Extension Office at 970-382-6463 more information.

The Colorado health department will continue to test water and sediment routinely and will respond quickly to any potential issues. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has collected and analyzed sediment from the Animas River. The agency also reminds residents  that there is some level of contamination in most Colorado rivers because of mining activities and that state's natural geology.

Initial analysis of the EPA's sediment samples from Baker’s Bridge to 32nd Street show that section of river exhibited  minor exceedances of background concentrations for antimony, lead, silver and thallium. However, these levels were still found to be below risk-screening levels.

Although the test have not been validated, the EPA has done a preliminary comparison of these levels to historical data to see if current metal concentrations are consistent with pre-incident levels. Once this data is validated, it will be posted on the EPA's website at: www2.epa.gov/goldkingmine

While conditions in the Animas have been determined safe for recreational use, irrigation ditches that draw from the river currently are being flushed, and agricultural users should continue to exercise patience until this process is complete.

Local, tribal, state and federal agencies will continue to test water and sediment routinely and will respond quickly to any potential issues.