Statement On The Environmental Protection Agency Study - Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report
FORT LAUDERDALE, January 6, 2009 --- The Cruise Lines International Association released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report:“EPA's recently released report entitled Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report represents a significant and long term effort on the part of EPA's staff as well as the state of Alaska and others and we appreciate their hard work. Our industry takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and has made many changes in recent years in its wastewater technology and operating practices, and we generally meet or exceed all applicable federal and state standards applicable to all waste streams. The industry already is in the process of reviewing the study as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and further improve its waste management practices.
“The report commends the industry for its solid waste management practices and acknowledges our voluntary waste management practices and procedures that began in 2001. Some of the findings, such as early evaluations (2000) of MSD type II systems, are based on system designs and operating practices that have been significantly updated and improved since the time the sampling and analysis were completed.
“The evaluations of Advanced Wastewater Treatment systems have shown that these systems are performing quite well, and in most cases the effluent meets all National Recommended Water Quality Criteria (NRWQC) measured at the point of discharge. The effluent from these systems is comparable or better than virtually any municipal wastewater system in the United States.
“The cruise industry recognizes and appreciates its responsibility in protecting the environment. We will continue to work with the relevant international organizations, EPA and the USCG as well as various states on compliance with applicable regulatory regimes and procedures. Within the cruise industry there is a deep understanding that we are operating in fragile environments and we are taking aggressive steps to mitigate our impact on them and protect one of the most important assets we have – the oceans and environment in which we operate.”
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About CLIA
The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America's largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 24 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.