Activists want voters to consider limiting cruise ship access to Juneau

Jeremy Hsieh

SOUTHEAST ALASKA

KTOO

JUNEAU — Some activists in Juneau filed paperwork on Monday that could lead to local ballot questions in the fall asking voters to limit cruise ships’ access to the capital city.

Karla Hart filed the official paperwork. She’s been critical of the crowding and impacts on quality of life that have come with the growth in cruise ship tourism. She’s also concerned that Juneau has become too dependent on the economic power wielded by a few cruise lines. “I’m a big believer in direct democracy, and this is a chance for us to say if we think that there are too many people coming on cruise ships to Juneau,” Hart said. “And to say if we think that people in Juneau want to have evenings quiet and for ourselves in the community and people who are staying over. And whether we want Saturdays for ourselves in the community and for people staying over.”

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