Cruise industry knocks proposed wastewater rules

Cruise lines said more than half of the ships operating in Alaska would not be able to meet limits for the pollutant ammonia under proposed wastewater rules set to go into effect this year.

The limits are too strict in general and there's not enough time to comply before the start of the season only a few months away, Alaska Cruise Association consultant Mike Tibbles said last week.

Tibbles spoke during a public hearing Wednesday on the 2010 Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge General Permit. He warned that cruise lines would be reluctant to sign on to something they know they can't meet.

"If this stands, ship deployments could be altered and port times may be reduced," he said. "The result could very likely be fewer economic opportunities for our businesses."

ACA represents the nine cruise lines operating in Alaska.

The state tourism industry faces the loss of 142,000 passengers this season because cruise lines redeployed ships to different destinations or lengthened itineraries and decreased the number of port calls.

About 1 million cruise passengers visit the state each year.

Cruise Ship Program Manager Denise Koch said the cruise lines should be able to comply with the 2010 discharge limits, which are similar to the last two seasons.

The program is managed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which is taking public comment on the draft permit until March 3. Wastewater includes sewage, graywater and other treated water dumped into state oceans.

The regulations were put in place by voters in 2006.

Cruise lines complained they were too strict, so the Legislature last year gave more time to comply, and told DEC to temporary lower the limits.

With a pending downturn in passenger numbers, Alaska-based tour operators are increasingly speaking out to support the cruise industry.

Tour operator Bob Janes asked for a "common sense" approach to regulations during Wednesday's public hearing.

"We all care about our environment, that's what we sell," Janes said. "But we also care about the jobs, the huge economic investment in our state that's bringing people here and providing the experience for people."

The cruise industry's history in Alaska proves the need to regulate it, Responsible Cruising in Alaska President Chip Thoma said. Thoma helped write the initiative.

"The cruise ships engaged in a great deal of deception to hide their malfeasance," Thoma said.

He requested DEC retain a regulatory requirement that ships turn in a report - called Source Reduction Evaluations or SREs - of their progress toward compliance with environmental standards.

The 2010 draft permit for the first time removes the reporting requirement.

• Contact reporter Kim Marquis at 523-2279 or kim.marquis@juneauempire.com.