Sitka OKs another cruise ship petition for signature drive
Sitka Takes Steps to Limit Cruise Ship Tourism
The city of Sitka is making important changes to control the growing number of cruise ship tourists. On Monday, the city clerk’s office officially accepted a proposal from a group called Sitka Small Town SOUL. This approval allows the group to gather support for a petition to limit the city’s number of cruise ship visitors. Their plan is to limit the number of visitors from large cruise ships to 300,000 per year and 4,500 visitors per day. The petition also wants to set the cruise season from May 1 to September 30, with at least one day a week where no large cruise ships are in the port.
Larry Edwards, a board member of Small Town SOUL and the leader of this initiative, is very happy about the city’s approval. He believes this is an important step for the community to keep Sitka’s small-town feel. This is the second time that Small Town SOUL has tried to get approval for such a petition, and the fourth attempt by its members. Now, the group is focused on collecting the signatures needed to put this issue on the ballot for a special election, which they hope will take place before the 2026 cruise season.
Key Details of the Proposed Plan
The proposal, called “An Ordinance of the City and Borough of Sitka, Limitation of Cruise Visitation in Sitka,” has several important points. One of the main parts of the plan is to limit how many passengers can come ashore from large cruise ships. The proposal includes a permit system for cruise ships that visit Sitka, which would ensure that the number of visitors is within the limits. If a ship brings more passengers than allowed, it would face penalties.
Another key point is to create quieter days for the residents. The ordinance wants at least one day each week without large cruise ships in port. This is important because Sitka is a small town with a population of about 8,300. The group says that too many tourists are causing problems, including safety issues like crowded streets. The ordinance also says that smaller ships with 250 passengers or fewer are not included in the limits, but they still have to get yearly permits and report the number of passengers they bring.
This initiative shows that many residents are worried that the current level of tourism is too much. Before the cruise ship dock on Halibut Point Road was built, Sitka had a maximum of 289,000 cruise visitors in 2008. But after the dock opened, the number of visitors grew to 590,000 in 2024. This huge increase has raised concerns about how tourism is affecting the community and its infrastructure.
Community Reactions and Economic Concerns
The proposal has received mixed reactions in Sitka. Supporters, including the members of Small Town SOUL, say the ordinance is necessary to protect the town’s character and make sure tourism stays at a manageable level. They believe that limiting cruise ship visitors will improve the quality of life for local residents and protect Sitka’s resources. Edwards and his team are working hard to gather the signatures they need, aiming to hold the special election in early spring.
However, some people in the community, like Chris McGraw, who owns the cruise terminal, worry about the economic effects of the ordinance. McGraw says the proposal does not consider the impact on Sitka’s economy, which depends a lot on tourism. He warns that passing the law could cause problems for both the tourism industry and the rest of the town.
As Sitka gets ready for the vote on this proposal, the debate over cruise ship tourism is heating up. The city’s outside lawyers have confirmed that the proposed law meets all legal requirements, so the initiative can move forward. The outcome of this vote could have a big impact on the future of tourism in Sitka, balancing the needs of the residents with the economic needs of a town that depends on visitors.
