Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/19/2004 09:06 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 19, 2004
9:06 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, Chair
Representative Jim Holm, Vice Chair
Representative John Coghill
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
^OVERVIEW - WASTEWATER IMPACTS TO THE SMALL CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY
TAPES
04-20, SIDE(S) A & B
CHAIR BRUCE WEYHRAUCH convened the meeting of the House State
Affairs Standing Committee at 9:06 a.m.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
DAN EASTON, Director, Division of Water, Department of
Environmental Conservation, introduced the recently released
report entitled "Assessment of Cruise Ship and Ferry Wastewater
Impacts in Alaska" published January 26, 2004. The report
reflects 3 years of findings with regard to the wastewater
discharged by small cruise and ferry vessels.
DENISE KOCH, Environmental Specialist, Commercial Passenger
Vessel Program, Department of Environmental Conservation, spoke
to the points of the report relating to small passenger vessels.
Three years of sample data has been collected regarding the
smaller vessels. The report speaks to three types of water
discharged: gray water (from showers/sinks), black water
(originates from the toilet), and a combination of both gray and
black water. Some problems were discovered that needed to be
addressed with regard to meeting the fecal coliform standard.
Ms. Koch concluded her remarks by stating it was decided that
small ships should remain in the program due to the problems
during stationary dilution/discharge.
There were no questions from the committee for the DEC
representatives.
BRICE BROCKWAY, Cruise West, testified to his company's concern
with Alaska's requirements. Equipment that would allow them to
meet DEC standards is too large to fit into their seven cruise
vessels. The technology is available, on a large scale, for
vessels to comply with Alaska standards, which are different
[more stringent], than other states and even federal standards.
Their cruise vessels would have to be widened and lengthened to
accommodate the oversized equipment.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL JONES, Lindblad Explorations, informed the
committee that vessels SEA LION and SEA BIRD operate in Alaskan
waters. They are U.S. Operated, U.S. Vessels, with a U.S. Crew.
Captain Jones explained his vessels tankage does not accommodate
the new technology. Larger vessels have different capabilities
than the smaller ships. In response to Representative
Weyhrauch's comment regarding dumping wastewater in the "Donut
Holes", Captain Jones explained that those areas do not apply to
his ships.
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA spoke to the subject and congratulated
DEC on the report. She stated Alaska is a worldwide leader in
the wastewater treatment program for both large and small
vessels. The small ship companies have been working diligently
with DEC to address any problems regarding wastewater
discharges. The owners are using "best management practices."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH stated there will be more scrutiny by the
legislature due to the concerns brought forward by Mr. Brockway
and Captain Jones.
CAPTAIN MICHAEL JONES spoke to the positive approach Alaska is
taking and the good working relationship between the small
cruise ship lines and the Department of Environmental
Conservation. Captain Jones stated that he and Mr. Brockway are
representing a group called the Alaska Small Cruise Vessel
Association of which they are members.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned Cruise West with regard to its
292-foot vessel and whether it is constrained in the same way as
the smaller vessels.
MR. BROCKWAY explained the larger vessel has better tankage so
it's able to hold longer, although the [larger] ship still has
the same types of problems as the smaller vessels.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were
taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by
contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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