In December of 1999, DEC Commissioner Michelle Brown invited the US Coast Guard, The US Environmental Protection Agency, and members from the Southeast Conference to join industry representatives and local concerned citizens in a public discussion. This forum became known as the Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative (ACSI).

An Executive Steering Committee convened in January 2000 to direct the ACSI work groups.

This site provides historical information about the Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative and their efforts to improve environmental standards and take the cruise ship industry beyond minimal compliance.

The Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative was dissolved in November 2001. The Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program now leads the efforts to oversee the sampling and testing of wastewater and air opacity monitoring.