some in the water recreation industry are afraid crowds will dry up
This is the busiest single weekend of the entire year in the New Braunfels Water Recreation industry, and the weather calls for hot and dry conditions, perfect for tubing and rafting down the cool waters of the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.
But 1200 WOAI's Michael Board reports a lot of people in the water recreation industry in New Braunfels are worried...worried that the city's new 'Can Ban,' and reaction to the new law, will hurt their bottom lines.
"We'll have a good indication of how much they know and don't know, and how much they're willing to tolerate the new rules," Shane Wolff of Rockin' R River Rides, told 1200 WOAI news.
the law, passed last August, bans any non reusable containers on the rivers. That means no beers, no water and no sodas in traditional cans or bottles, and no sandwiches in a plastic wrap.
Wolff says they need Memorial Day revenue to float their bottom line all summer long.
"Our (Memorial Day) Saturday and Sunday is about 30% larger than our normal Saturday and Sunday," he said.
The water recreation industry had hoped to have a temporary restraining order in place, which would have placed the new rules on hold while a court is considering their legality, in time for Memorial Day. But a judge ordered the group's lawsuit moved to Comal County, which means it has to be refiled.
This is the first major holiday weekend where the new rules will be in effect.
Wolff has his fingers crossed, he says right now, things look good.
"Campgrounds are full right now, reservations at hotels all look good, so it looks like they're heading in this direction," he said.
But the question is whether they will go through with their tubing and rafting adventure once they learn about the new restrictions, and whether they will return for the Fourth of July and other summer holidays while the rules are in place. It means they'll have to leave their coolers, and all of the things they have bought from New Braunfels area businesses, in the car.
City officials say the law was needed because litter was ruining the rivers. The judge will eventually have to rule whether the ordinance is meant to engage in community betterment and clean up, which is a municipal responsibility, or to regular activity and commerce on navigable rivers, which is a state responsibility.
