Laws and Regulations

The Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance (Cruise Ship) Program was established in July 2001 by AS 46.03.460 - AS 46.03.490. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) worked with a facilitator and a Negotiated Regulations Committee to draft regulations to accompany this law. The Committee held three face to face meetings to draft regulations, a January, February, and an April 2002 meeting. The Committee finished their draft regulations and Final Report of the Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance (CPVEC) Committee on May 15, 2002. The regulations that were drafted by the Committee were taken through the formal rulemaking process that included a period for public comment. The public comment period was completed, and the regulations became effective November 15, 2002.

The Air Quality regulations added three definitions to clarify vessel maneuvering in port: "casting off", "make fast to shore", and "weighing anchor". Note that the Air Quality regulations cover a broader class of marine vessels, which is defined as a seagoing craft, ship, or barge.

On July 8, 2004 the state law AS 46.03.460-46.06.490 was changed based on Chapter 153, SLA 04 which was passed by the Alaska Legislature. The ADEC drafted regulations to reflect the statue change to allow for best management plans for small vessels and the requirements of those plans. The ADEC also proposed changes enabling online registration, clarification of discharge information reported in a vessel's specific sampling plan, and to make other changes necessary to improve the regulations. These proposed regulations were taken through the formal rule making process, including the public comment period starting on March 15, 2005 .

After the public comment period additional changes were made and a Supplemental Regulation package was drafted to reflect these changes. The second public comment period was completed, and the amended regulations became final and effective May 18, 2006.

More changes were made in 2006 to state laws governing the operation and regulation of large cruise ships while those ships are in Alaska Marine waters. These changes passed with voter approval under Ballot Measure 2. ADEC efforts at revising the CPVEC Program and implementing the new laws are underway.