Juneau Convention And Visitors Bureau News

Gov. Tony Knowles signed a bill that makes Alaska the first state to regulate water pollution from cruise ships. "For the first time we'll know what the huge and growing cruise ship industry is putting into our air and water, and we'll be able to hold its vessels accountable if they pollute," the governor said in a ceremony at Juneau harbor. He said the bill, which he championed, had strong public backing. "Don't ever doubt it. The bill, which affects ships capable of carrying 50 or more overnight passengers, sets up a monitoring and sampling program for water and air emissions and solid waste. It targets treated sewage and gray water, or runoff from sinks, showers, kitchens, laundries and other non-sewage sources.