HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2009-003Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2009-003
A RESOLUTION OF THE C[TY COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, URGING THE. ALASKA STATE, LEGISLATURE, TO MODIFY,
BASED ON SCIENCE, THE STANDARDS GOVERNING THE DISCHARGE
OF CRUISE.-SHIP WASTEWATER BY USINC THE CRITERIA 'THAT
APPLY TO MUNICIPAL SHORE-BASED WASTEWATER FACILITIES
AND ALL OTHER VESSELS TRANSI'TTING ALASKA WATERS
WHEREAS, the Seward community has a strong marine-based economy with transportation
routes historically used by the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and state law enforcement vessels; large and
small passenger vessels; a commercial fishing fleet; and other passenger-bearing vessels; and
WHEREAS, Seward's marine-based economic activity occurs in proximity to the Kenai
Fjords National Park, the Chugach National Forest, Caines Head State Park, and other protected
lands; and
WHEREAS, between 2001 and 2006, agencies ofthe State ofAlaska, through the legislative
"`~ process, have enacted statutes and regulations establishing wastewater discharge standards and
created the Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program as means of
supporting cruise ship activity in Alaska in an environmentally-sound manner; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska cruise ship industry has invested more than $200 million to install
some of the most advanced wastewater treatment systems in the world; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Alaska voters approved an initiative further governing the operation
and regulation of large cruise ships, leading to the first ever general permit forwastewater discharges
from large cruise ships operating in Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the standards now imposed on cruise ships are far in excess of those imposed
onshore-based municipal wastewater facilities, including Seward's facility and those in effect for all
other fishing, li-eighl, and passenger vessels; and
WHEREAS, the cruise ship point-of-release standards arc unfeasible and will require
prohibitive financial investment in research to establish methods of meeting the standards; and
WHEREAS, these standards could mean that cruise ships would defer all discharges until
they are out of Alaska waters, which would result in reduced length of time in port, and elimination
of ports situated far from International waters; and
.~
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RF,SOLUTION 2009-003
WHEREAS, such changes would impact Seward's small business, whichrely on cruise ship
visitors, crew, and service requirements to support local jobs and the local economy; and
WHEREAS, implementing policy based on inconsistent standards for a specific sector ofthe
maritime economy establishes a dangerous precedent.
NOW, THEREFORF,, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section I. Seward City Council urges the Alaska State Legislature in 2009 to modify the
standards governing the discharge of cruise ship wastewater.
Section 2. Seward City Council suggests the modifications be scienti hcally based and similar
to the criteria that apply to municipal shore-based wastewater Facilities and all other vessels
transiting Alaska waters.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by City Council of the City of Seward this 12`h day of January
2009.
THE CITY ~F SEWARD, ALASKA
// ~
`'Willard Dunham, Vice Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Bardarson, Smith, Kellar, Keil, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: Corbridge
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
~ 1
l
~/ ~' ~~
Lean Lewis, CMC~
Ci't'y Clerk
(C,ity Seal)
er`M®.arram~,~,
:~,
b .y
p~, a
~ ~ ,e
i
N R
.. .. ,,
`~
~~. ~, ~ ~ ~
s~e~j~. OF t° "'~'~ s`°~
•rbrrrrr rrr~
Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: Monday, January 12, 2008
To: City Council
Through: City Manager Phillip Oates~j
From: Executive Liaison Atmc Bailey
Agenda Item: Resolution 2009-~, Urging the Alaska State Legislature to Modify
Based on Science, the Standards Governing the Discharge ofCruise~
Ship Wastewater by Using the Criteria that Apply to Municipal Shore-
Based Wastewater Facilities and All Other Vessels Transiting Alaska
Waters
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION•
The City of Seward has a strong marine-based economy with transportation routes historically used
by the U. S. Nary, Coast Guard, State Law Enforcement vessels, large and small passenger vessels, a
commercial fishing fleet and other passenger-bearing vessels.
Between 2001 and 2006, agencies of the State of Alaska, through the legislative process, have
enacted statutes and regulations establishing wastewater discharge standards and created the
Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program as a means ofsupporting cruise
ship activity in Alaska in an environmentally-sound manner. In 2006, Alaska voters approved an
initiative further governing the operation and regulation of large cruise ships, leading to the first
general permit for wastewater discharges from large cruise ships operating ut Alaska.
The standards now imposed on cruise ships are far in excess of those imposed on shore-based
municipal wastewater facilities, utcluding Seward's facility and those in effect for all other lishing,
freight, and passenger vessels. These cruise ship point-of-release standards are unfeasible and will
require prohibitive financial investment u1 research to establish methods ofineeting the standards. "fhe
standards could mean that cruise ships would have to defer all discharges until they are out ofAlaska
waters reducing the length oftime in port and eliminating ports far from International waters. Such
changes would impact Seward's small business, which rely on cruise ship visitors, crew, and service
requirements to support local jobs and the economy.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST:
Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive
Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures.
FISCAL NOTE:
No fiscal impact. ~°~~~~-'
65
Approved by Finance Department:
RECOIVIiNENDATION
Council approve Resolution 2009, Urging the Alaska State Legislature to Modify, Based
on Science, the Standards Governing the Discharge ofCruise-Ship Wastewater by Using the
Criteria that Apply to Municipal Shore-Based Wastewater Facilities and All Other Vessels
Transitvig Alaska Waters.
66