Alaska DEC Addresses Possible Cruise Ship Pollution Measures

Regulators seeking to prevent cruise-ship pollution should measure air quality this summer in Juneau, conduct random tests of waste discharges into Alaska's waters and complete a survey of ships' waste practices, said a draft report issued Wednesday.

The report, released by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), gave conclusions of work groups representing state and federal regulators, cruise companies and citizens concerned about the impacts of growing cruise crowds.

The work groups have been meeting since December to address complaints about cruise pollution - and regulatory gaps in Juneau and other ports along southeast Alaska's Inside Passage.

The report's recommendations are subject to public review, but will probably result in action this summer, DEC officials said. A public meeting is scheduled for next week in Juneau.