About Prop One
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the proposition? What is it called?
The proposition is called “Limits on Cruise Visitation in Sitka.” It includes:
A cap of 4,500 scheduled “passengers ashore” per day from large cruise ships
An annual cap of 300,000 scheduled “passengers ashore” from large cruise ships
One required “quiet day” per week
Designating the cruise season to operate from May to September
Any small cruise ship (i.e. under 250 passengers) is not subject to passenger ashore limits, but data must be reported
A complete exemption for cruise vessels with a maximum capacity of 12 or less
Will this end cruise tourism in Sitka? Should I be worried about the economic impact?
No, passing Prop 1 will not end cruise tourism in Sitka. This proposition recognizes the value of cruise tourism in Sitka, which contributes to many of our incomes and lifestyles. This proposition does not strip Sitka of the ability to have a bustling cruise tourism business. It simply ensures that the numbers of tourists that arrive are manageable and healthy for the community.
How were the numbers in the proposition decided?
Controversy over cruise ships dating to the mid-1990s climaxed in 2007 with the City’s business-supported Visitor Industry Plan 2.0.” It called for managed growth, defined to “mean Sitka should ensure that any future growth maintains the quality of residents’ and visitors’ experience of Sitka, for example, without increasing downtown congestion.”
The then-record year was 2006, with a 267,026 ships’ capacity. With no dock, about 80% of passengers come ashore—likely about 215,000 ashore that year. The Proposition’s 300,000 passengers ashore is 40% more than that. It is 29% more than 2008’s record which stood until 2022.
The Proposition’s daily limit of 4,500 passengers ashore from large cruise ships will reduce crowding downtown, on trails, elsewhere around town and on the water. Even with some small cruise ships in town, the City’s 5,000 trigger for Lincoln Street closure will rarely be reached.
Why is the season being shortened from May-September?
A primary reason for this proposed season is reducing the impact that air pollution from buses has on our schools and our children. Limiting the number of hours that diesel buses drive by schools and idle at intersections near them directly benefits the health of our children. This also ensures children can roam more safely after school, going to the playground and exploring their own town without the overwhelming crush of people and cars that accompanies irresponsible tourism.
Additionally, one of the Tourism Task Force’s recommendations to the Assembly (16 May 2024) included reducing the length of the season. See below:
5. Shorten the length of the season
CBS should advocate to limit sailings in April – early May, as well as late September – October. Maintaining the historic, standard season of mid-May through mid-September would reduce the strain and burnout experienced by local businesses and the public generally, as well as protect the visitor experience cruise passengers have in Sitka that may encourage them to return as independent travelers.
Will there be a new department in Sitka to manage this?
No, additional staff or departments are not a part of the proposal. The term ‘department’ used in the proposition is a virtual department composed of staff in one or more existing departments, who the municipal administrator assigns additional roles for executing parts of the ordinance.
What happens if there are more than 4,500 passengers who want to come ashore on a day? Will they be turned away?
No, no passenger will ever be stopped from disembarking, or fined. The cruise schedule will be constructed so that no more than 4,500 passengers will be ashore per day. If more passengers go ashore from a cruise ship than it agreed to in the schedule, the cruise line will be fined.
Who is counted in the 4,500 passengers ashore per day?
Paying cruise ship passengers are included. Ship staff, crew, and supporting workers are not counted.
What are the proposition’s primary benefits to the town?
So many! Normal flows of traffic, reduced waiting time, less strain on grocery stores, healthcare, and waterways. Whales, fish, and general marine life will be grateful as well. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or want to talk about how Prop One can positively impact you and your community.
Primary Concerns
Sales Tax
Our calculations show that opponents to Prop One have highly exaggerated the boost in sales tax that comes from cruise tourism.
This chart shows that even huge up or down swings in cruise numbers don’t affect spring/summer sales tax revenue all that much. In recent years, the high cruise volume has been the cause of a lot pain, disproportionate to whatever its contribution is to sales tax gain.
Economy
It is imperative that Sitka maintains a bustling, balanced, year round economy. We have had a varied, year-round economy for years. Nurturing this wonderfully interactive economy should be a priority for us to retain our independence.
Additionally, seafood remains the greatest contributor to Sitka’s economy (Rain Coast Data). Unmanageable numbers of tourists threaten Sitka’s relationship to fishing, particularly subsistence fishing.
Nearing the Tipping Point
In the last two years, the cruise masses in Sitka reached dangerously close to the numbers that cruise lines consider buying local property. It is imperative that Sitka does not lose it’s already limited business infrastructure to companies with no real investment in the community besides profit. Housing being bought up for summer workers is already contributing to the housing issues so many of us in Sitka know, especially for young, working folks. We cannot lose store fronts or restaurants as well.
Congestion
This summer, 2025, it is expected that 588,075 cruise ship passengers (Lower Berth Capacity) will visit Sitka. We will see 62 days with more than 5,000, 45 days with more than 6,000, and 13 days with more than 7,000 visitors. These levels of crowding strain the quality of recreation sites, visitor services, and public facilities in Sitka.
Many of us have been frustrated by the endless buses, the slow traffic, the portable toilets, and the crowded streets in recent years. Responsibly managing the number of passengers ashore will help ensure a more normal flow to life in Sitka by reducing congestion.