Which leads to the third goal of the legislation. And, that is treating the cruise ship industry just like every other major industry in Alaska. The cruise ship industry generates large quantities of wastes, more than many other fully regulated industries, yet has been virtually unregulated. The oil, mining, and fishing industries operating in Alaska must comply with comprehensive state, federal and often-local rules to ensure that their wastes do not foul Alaska s air and water. Government sets the rules.
Industry has the primary obligation to comply.
Government has the obligation to verify compliance. It s a well-tried system of checks and balances. It s time that the cruise ship industry play by the same rules. This includes paying for the costs. As other industries operating in this state pay for using the state's infrastructure, services, and natural resources, the cruise ships must bear the cost of this coastal protection program that will safeguard the pristine and picturesque environment upon which their business is based.