Don’t sacrifice environmental standards to appease industry

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Bates’ rationale that mobile cruise ships should be regulated the same way as stationary industries like mines is ridiculous.

To start, one moves; the other doesn’t. Ships bring their problems to our shores/doorstep then transit throughout our waters, making environmental monitoring a challenge. Mines are somewhat contained and can be monitored in one place. They are vastly different industries and should be regulated as such.

Easing regulatory oversight — particularly in a non-transparent manner without public notice — appears underhanded and is the last thing we should be doing right now. My hope is that the next administration will set the ship right; and our new governor will value clean air and water, and commit to stronger, not weaker, enforcement of environmental regulations and oversight. Robust funding for DEC and reinstating the Ocean Rangers program would be responsible first steps.

The DEC used to have some teeth. I never worked with a more dedicated group of people. But in this administration’s obsession to oblige industry interests above the public's, DEC is losing its relevance. In a state that overwhelmingly places an emphasis on resource development and extraction over environmental protection and conservation, the risks are too great to ignore infractions by any industry. Alaskans will lose what makes living here such a gift.

We cannot sacrifice our environmental standards to appease industry. It’s time for a rebalancing to protect our most valuable, natural assets for upcoming generations.

Lynda Giguere

Douglas