Knowles Demands Action on Cruise Ship Pollution.

• Position: Brief Article

Citing recent samplings of wastewater discharge from cruise chips, Gov. Tony Knowles has called for tougher federal regulation of the industry, sufficient state and federal funds for enforcement, and responsible citizenship by cruise ship operators.

"I received the preliminary results of summer sampling undertaken of discharges from these giant cruise ships that ply Alaska's waters and visit our coastal Alaska communities and the results are, in a word, shocking," Knowles said. "Not a single sample of the sewage discharges complied with existing state and federal standards."

Knowles also said the so called "gray water"--waste water from showers, sinks and kitchens--included samples that looked like untreated sewage.

Knowles called on state lawmakers to support adequate Department of Environmental Conservation funding by establishing a fee paid by the cruise ships for sampling water quality and discharges, and for inspecting cruise ships to check on waste water treatment.

The North West Cruise Ship Association called Knowles' reaction "disappointing," and said, "there is no environmental crisis nor is there enough scientific information to base this proposal on."

The association said it has worked closely with the governor's administration, federal agencies and environmental groups to provide education on the environmental processes in place and...