RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF ALASKA, INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR AND THE 2009 ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TO MODIFY THE CRUISE SHIP WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT BASED ON SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA TO BE DETERMINED BY THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

WHEREAS, the “point of discharge” standards set by the 2006 cruise ship initiative are technologically unattainable and not feasible; and

WHEREAS, the standards imposed on cruise ships far exceed any standards currently in place for municipal and statewide wastewater facilities; and

WHEREAS, Alaska has a strong tourism industry, and recognizes the importance of promoting a positive business climate to encourage industry growth; and

WHEREAS, Alaska has over 1 million cruise passenger visitors annually, with an economic impact from the cruise ship industry totaling $1.35 billion; and

WHEREAS, Alaska’s cruise ship industry annually supports 14,500 Alaska jobs, paying $465 million in wages, provides $100 million in revenues to state and local governments, spends $70 million to market the state to its customers, and contributed $2.3 million to Alaska nonprofit organizations; and

WHEREAS, the unattainable standards currently in place for cruise ships could result in ships departing Alaska waters to discharge, which could reduce the total time spent in Alaska ports and communities, ultimately decreasing revenues that support local governments, small businesses, local jobs, and the Alaska economy; and

WHEREAS, the sponsors of the cruise ship ballot initiative claimed their written initiative would “level the economic and environmental playing field between the cruise ship industry and other major dischargers,” when it in fact puts the cruise ship industry at a disadvantage.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, that:

We support HB 134 and other efforts to remove the point of discharge requirement and basing discharges on scientific criteria determined by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

PASSED AND APPROVED FEBRUARY 19, 2009.