State of AlaskaDepartment of Environmental ConservationCommercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program

For more information call Albert Faure at (907) 465-5279For more information call Albert Faure at (907) 465-5279

Created and updated by DEC on October 13, 2006Created and updated by DEC on October 13, 2006

Cruise Ship Tourism GrowthCruise Ship Tourism Growth

Passengers Outnumber UsPassengers Outnumber Us

0

400,000

800,000

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

Cruise ShipPassengers

930,000930,000

Approximately 1.2 million people Approximately 1.2 million people (passengers & crew) visit SE (passengers & crew) visit SE

Alaska with population of 75,000Alaska with population of 75,000

Why Focus On Cruise Ships?

Cruise ships share marine Cruise ships share marine environment with environment with

** Commercial Fisheries Commercial Fisheries (Alaska’s #1 private (Alaska’s #1 private employer) employer)

** Subsistence UsersSubsistence Users

Place Name DescriptionAnnual small

ship visitsAnnual large

ship visitsCollege

FjordTidewater Glacier

South central Alaska38 122

Glacier Bay Tidewater GlaciersNational Park in SE AK

167 206

Hubbard Glacier

Tidewater GlacierYakutat on Gulf of Alaska

7 158

Juneau Port in Southeast Alaska 139 492Ketchikan Port in Southeast Alaska 48 443Sitka Port in Southeast Alaska

(outside coast)122 159

Skagway Port in Southeast Alaska (Northern Lynn Canal)

131 381

Tracy Arm Tidewater Glacier in Southeast Alaska (between Juneau& Wrangell)

129 155

2006 Places most frequently visited by ships?2006 Places most frequently visited by ships?

Cruise Ship Waste Profile

Ballast Water• USCG mandatory reporting program for vessels over

300 gross tons effective 6/14/04.• Requires ballast exchange from vessels entering the 200

nautical mile Economic Exclusions Zone (EEZ).• Cruise ships traveling within the EEZ do not have to

exchange ballast but they must report.• DEC regulates non-segregated ballast water from oil

tankers in Valdez. Segregated ballast tanks are not regulated.

• ADF&G is evaluating invasive species protection.

Bilge Water

• USCG lead agency• Oil content must be <15 ppm to discharge

GRAY AND BLACK WATER GRAY AND BLACK WATER

Federal LegislationFederal LegislationIntroduced by Senator Frank Murkowski to regulate large ship wastewater Introduced by Senator Frank Murkowski to regulate large ship wastewater discharges. Law Title XIV -- “Certain Alaskan Cruise Ship Operations” discharges. Law Title XIV -- “Certain Alaskan Cruise Ship Operations” passed 12/21/00, Regulations 33 CFR 159, Subpart E were effective July 26, passed 12/21/00, Regulations 33 CFR 159, Subpart E were effective July 26, 2001. Administered by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).2001. Administered by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

State LegislationState LegislationSpecial legislative session. Alaska Statute (AS) 46.03.460-.490 effective July Special legislative session. Alaska Statute (AS) 46.03.460-.490 effective July 2001. Regulations 18 AAC 69 effective November 15, 2002.2001. Regulations 18 AAC 69 effective November 15, 2002.Administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Administered by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program.Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program.

Quick Comparison Federal Law and State Law Standards

Law State Federal

# overnight passengers

50+ 500+

Discharge limits 1 mile from shore @ min. 6 knots BW & GW BW only

Fecal Coliform/100 ml 200 200 Total Suspended Solids (mg/l)

150 150

Discharge limits Continuous discharge (in port) BW & GW BW

Fecal Coliform/100 ml Refers 20 Chlorine (mg/l) to Fed 10 Total Suspended Solids (mg/l)

Law 30

Sewage treatment standards commonly use fecal coliform. Sewage treatment standards commonly use fecal coliform.

Federal Legislation closed “Donut Holes.” “Donut Federal Legislation closed “Donut Holes.” “Donut Holes” wereHoles” were areas within the Inside Passage where areas within the Inside Passage where discharge of untreated sewage was allowed. discharge of untreated sewage was allowed. Untreated sewage discharged from Large ships is Untreated sewage discharged from Large ships is prohibited since December 2000.prohibited since December 2000.

•JuneauJuneau

•KetchikanKetchikan

•SkagwaySkagway

•Donut HoleDonut Hole

US Coast Guard

• Administers Federal Law• Certifies vessels that meet

more stringent standards to discharge continuously (including in port)

• Requires two samples per month to keep certification

State Law Created theCommercial Passenger Vessel

Environmental Compliance Program

CPVEC requires:• Annual registration• Program fees• Wastewater sampling by industry• Ship record keeping of wastes• Enforcement of standards• State verification by taking additional samples or

auditing the industry samples

Commercial Passenger Vessel Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance ProgramEnvironmental Compliance Program

• The program established The program established by Alaska Statute (AS) by Alaska Statute (AS) 46.03.460 - .490 covers46.03.460 - .490 covers– GraywaterGraywater– BlackwaterBlackwater– Visible EmissionsVisible Emissions– Solid WasteSolid Waste– Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste

• It does not coverIt does not cover– BilgeBilge– BallastBallast– SludgeSludge

Discharging Options in Alaska WatersDischarging Options in Alaska WatersThree Discharge OptionsThree Discharge Options

1.1. Standard Terms and ConditionsStandard Terms and Conditions• Effluent must be less than:Effluent must be less than:

• 150 mg/l of total suspended solids (TSS) 150 mg/l of total suspended solids (TSS)

• 200 fecal coliform colonies/ 100 ml (FC)200 fecal coliform colonies/ 100 ml (FC)

2.2. Alternative Terms and Conditions Alternative Terms and Conditions [[AS 46.03.462(a-c)]AS 46.03.462(a-c)]

• For vessels that can’t comply with option 1, ADEC approves alternative terms For vessels that can’t comply with option 1, ADEC approves alternative terms and conditions that:and conditions that:

a.a. provide equivalent environmental protection;provide equivalent environmental protection;

b.b. grant additional time necessary to make agreed upon changes to the vessel grant additional time necessary to make agreed upon changes to the vessel to meet the standard terms and conditions;to meet the standard terms and conditions;

c.c. test experimental technology that has a reasonable likelihood of success in test experimental technology that has a reasonable likelihood of success in providing increased environmental protection;providing increased environmental protection;

Continued on next slideContinued on next slide

Discharging Options in Alaska WatersDischarging Options in Alaska Waterscontinuedcontinued

3. 3. Alternative Terms and ConditionsAlternative Terms and Conditions [46.03.462(e)]-Best Management [46.03.462(e)]-Best Management Practices (BMP)Practices (BMP)

• The BMP plan option became available through amendments to The BMP plan option became available through amendments to the CPVEC program law in 2004 (House Bill 522)the CPVEC program law in 2004 (House Bill 522)

• Best Management Practices PlanBest Management Practices Plan

• Small ship owners or operators can apply for alternative Small ship owners or operators can apply for alternative terms and conditions by operating under a Department-terms and conditions by operating under a Department-approved BMP planapproved BMP plan

• The idea of the BMP plan is to protect the environment to the The idea of the BMP plan is to protect the environment to the maximum extent possible under a plan that is enforceable.maximum extent possible under a plan that is enforceable.

Alternative Terms and Conditions- Best Alternative Terms and Conditions- Best Management Practices Option RequirementsManagement Practices Option Requirements

Owner or operator must submit:Owner or operator must submit:1.1. An ADEC form that includes: An ADEC form that includes:

• vessel namevessel name• contact informationcontact information• date the vessel keel was laid.date the vessel keel was laid.

2.2. Certification that the vessel can’t practically comply with Certification that the vessel can’t practically comply with standard terms and conditionsstandard terms and conditions

3.3. A BMP PlanA BMP Plan

BMPBMP

A BMP must include a plan that protects the environment to A BMP must include a plan that protects the environment to the maximum extent possiblethe maximum extent possible

Common BMP practices:Common BMP practices:•Limiting wastewater discharges while the vessel is stationary Limiting wastewater discharges while the vessel is stationary or in port. (i.e. holding water in port).or in port. (i.e. holding water in port).

•Discharge only while vessel > one nautical mile from shore Discharge only while vessel > one nautical mile from shore and traveling at a speed > 6 knots.and traveling at a speed > 6 knots.

•Vessels that can’t hold water:Vessels that can’t hold water:

• can minimize gray water production by limiting usage can minimize gray water production by limiting usage of washers, dishwashers, etc. while in port.of washers, dishwashers, etc. while in port.

•Train crew to limit their usage of water while in port.Train crew to limit their usage of water while in port.

CPVEC Sampling Program• Applies to vessels

discharging in AK waters (<3 Nautical miles from shore and includes Inside Passage and Prince William Sound)

• Twice per season• QAQC Plan

– ADEC/USCG– 3rd party sampling– QA blind, duplicates, audits

Wastewater NOVs(Notice of Violation)

• None issued in 2001 or 2003.• 2002-one issued to Holland America

Line - Ryndam August 2002 • 2004- one issued to New World Ship

Management-Yorktown Clipper• 2005- one issued to American West

Steamboat Co- Empress of the North• Used GIS to check 2001 discharge

locations. • Presently either ship discharges

“continuously” or outside State jurisdiction.

235 250

308 298266

145

15 11 1 2 1 20

100

200

300

400

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

# ReadingsNOV

Marine Vessel Visible EmissionsMarine Vessel Visible Emissionsnot new with 2001 legislation!!not new with 2001 legislation!!

Air Emission from Cruise Ships

• The CPVEC program monitors emission from cruise ships and ferries. Since the summer of 2000, 250 opacity readings per year has been the target for large cruise ships in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska.

• Ambient air quality was monitored in downtown Juneau in 2000 and 2001. Pollutant levels were found to be far below federal and state health based standards.

Science Advisory PanelScience Advisory Panel

•Created in January 2001. Group of voluntary, Created in January 2001. Group of voluntary, independent scientists and engineers who study impacts of independent scientists and engineers who study impacts of cruise ship wastewater.cruise ship wastewater.

•Authored “Impact of Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge Authored “Impact of Cruise Ship Wastewater Discharge on Alaska Waters” in November 2002.on Alaska Waters” in November 2002.

Panel Recommendations

• Improved sampling and additional audits of passenger vessels.

• Determine water movement and exchange.• Continued evaluation of small passenger

vessels.• Policies to encourage small cruise ships to

discharge wastewater while underway.• Policies to prevent over-chlorination.

Science Panel Recommendation to Protect Sensitive Areas

• Avoid stationary discharges• No discharge within 0.5 nautical miles of

shellfish beds• Ships pose no more risk than Alaska

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

More Science Panel Findings

• Bacteria, Nutrients and Sediments from large ships do NOT pose a threat due to dilution and advanced treatment systems.

Additional Studiesall available on State of Alaska, DEC website

http://www.state.ak.us/dec/water/index.htm

• Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing

• Small ship risk screen and modeling

• Report to Governor January 26, 2004

• Science Panel’s work (Report available online available online http://www.state.ak.us/dec/water/http://www.state.ak.us/dec/water/cruise_ships/pdfs/impactofcruiseship.pdf)cruise_ships/pdfs/impactofcruiseship.pdf)

Large Ship Risk Characterization• The wastewater samples indicate that hazardous chemicals are not being discharged through these wastewater systems.• Large ship effluents met all Alaska Water Quality (WQ) Standards in the receiving water during underway discharge for pollutants tested in 2003. Some ships exceeded fecal coliform standard in in 2000-2002. •Large ship effluents met all Alaska Water Quality Standards in the receiving water during stationary discharge for pollutants tested in 2003 using advance systems. In 2000-2002, Large ships did not meet water quality standards for free chlorine, fecal coliform and copper in the receiving water during stationary discharge. •Large ships using functioning advance systems do not pose a risk to human health in areas where aquatic life is harvested for raw consumption.

Small Ship Risk Characterization• The wastewater samples indicate that hazardous chemicals are not being discharged through these wastewater systems.• Small ship wastewater may not meet Alaska Water Quality Standards for free chlorine, fecal coliform, copper, and zinc in receiving water during stationary discharge.• During stationary discharge, small ship effluent may pose a risk to human health in areas where aquatic life is harvested for raw consumption due to the high concentration of fecal coliform.

Comparing Passenger Vessel Dischargers to other Sources

units are per 100 ml

Large cruise ship 20 fecal coliformJuneau-Douglas 200 fecal coliformKetchikan 1,000,000 fecal coliformSitka 1,000,000 fecal coliformSkagway 1,000,000 fecal coliform

ConclusionConclusion

• ADEC expects that only large cruise ships with advanced wastewater treatment systems will discharge wastewater in Alaska in the future.

• Whole Effluent Toxicity test results and a comparison of sample results with Alaska Water Quality Standards indicate that the effluent from these advanced systems is not expected to cause toxicity to the marine environment.

• The wastewater samples indicate that hazardous materials are not being discharged through these wastewater treatment systems.

• No human health risk is posed by the low concentration of tested pollutants found in advance system wastewater samples.