Rafting operator: Oso trip meant to be ‘very respectful’

The purpose of a rafting trip on the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River was never meant to be completely for-profit.

Pacific Northwest Float Trips operator Dave Button told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Show there was always the intent to give at least some of the proceeds to Oso relief efforts.

Related: Is Groupon for Oso mudslide tour disrespectful?

“Originally, we were going to share the proceeds,” Button told Dori. “It costs money to run the trip.”

Now, all the profits are going to relief funds for the victims of the Oso mudslide, Button added.

“The whole idea is to be very respectful, that is a sacred area,” Button said.

The company was offering trips on the river past Oso for $45 per person on Groupon. The trip was advertised as an excursion “past the site of the 2014 Oso Mudslide, with lunch included.”

The trip would be the first for the company down that section of the Stillaguamish River. The river is renowned for fly-fishing, Button said on the show.

The rafting company received “a lot of negative comments,” Button said on the show. He understands the issue is still fresh in people’s minds. The company was accused of trying to “exploit” the situation.”

However, the trip was always meant to be focused on education, Button told Dori.

Button said the company was the first to float the Toutle River after Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. There was no issue with that.

“So I didn’t anticipate this much controversy on our proposed trip.”

Button is a former teacher and coach from Darrington. He’s been running rapids with Pacific Northwest Float Trips since 1974.

The proposed trip past the site of the slide would require skillful maneuvering, so the idea was to never take a large group.

The company is now readjusting plans for the trip and putting a new plan together, Button said. “We don’t want to be disrespectful.”