The boosted traffic would be accompanied by additional environmental protections, according to the Park Service's proposal. Also, the Park Service would require cruise ship operators to use new techology to minimize air pollution and underwater noise, which can disturb animals. Bob Barbee, Alaska regional director of the National Park Serivce, said the plan allows more people to visit the state's national parks, while assuring ecological protections. Environmentalists have been skeptical of plans to boost cruise-ship traffic in Glacier Bay, a haven for whales and other animals. But one Alaska environmental leader said Thursday he was open to the prospect of more park cruise ships.
National parks are about environmental quality as well as visitors.
The plan is scheduled to be published Monday in the Federal Register, the Park Service said. It is subject to a public comment period that ends Aug. 4 and will be the subject of six public hearings, the agency said. Earlier this year, when Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt announced his intention to allow expanded cruise ship entries into the park, some observers viewed that as a concession to the new power of Alaska's all-Republican congressional delegation. With the Republican takeover of Congress, Sen. Frank Murkowski of Alaska was elevated to chairman of the Senate Energy Committee and the state's sole House member, Don Young, became chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.