:: DEC finds ships use best environmental practices
Last season, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) ran a pilot Ocean Ranger program that placed rangers at least once on each of the 27 cruise ships that regularly operate in the state. DEC recently released its final report on the season, which found "dramatic advancements in waste treatment and management over the past seven years.
"Most ships are approved for continuous discharge from their wastewater treatment systems; therefore, there are no unauthorized discharges," the report found. "Waste minimization and control have greatly reduced waste off-loading in Alaska ... and record keeping is extensive."...
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:: Cuts related to cruise ship tax fund distribution
By Mike Bradner
Alaska Legislative Digest
An interesting sweep of vetoes (by Gov. Sarah Palin) was the distribution of cruise ship tax revenue, which must show some relationship to service to vessels and passengers even given the longest stretch of interpretation of federal law rooted in the commerce clause and the tonnage clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
Generalized broadly, one state can't tax the commerce of another simply for crossing a state line (and for general revenue), but only for the necessary costs of facilitating...
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Rod Pfleiger and Lalanya Snyder of the Alaska Cruise Assocation talk to patrons at the Ocean Festival about recycling on board cruise ships. The Association was the main stage sponsor at the Ocean Festival in downtown Anchorage on June 7.
Residents of Girdwood and Whittier took a below-the-decks tour of the Island Princess to learn more about the ship's advanced environmental systems.
:: Holland America names Rep. Samuels as VP external relations
Ralph Samuels
Holland America Line has named Ralph Samuels vice president of external relations, based in Anchorage, effective August 1, 2008. The appointment was made by Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer.
An Alaska resident and legislator, Samuels will represent the interests of the company and the industry in Alaska, Hawaii and Canada with State and Federal legislators and government officials, industry trade organizations, lobbyists and community organizations.
Ralph was elected in 2002, 2004 and 2006 to serve District 29 in the State House in the Alaska Legislature. Ralph serves as Majority Leader in the House as well as Chair of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and holds a seat on the Judiciary, Legislative Council and Oil and Gas committees. Ralph previously served as Co-Chair of the Resources Committee in the 24th Legislature....
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