Dear Editor: Sitka has been a tourist destination since the 1800s. A recent headline pointed out that Sitka saw over 600,000 passengers last year and predicted higher numbers for this year. How will Sitka handle this massive influx?
Historically Sitka’s claim to fame has been its walkability, picturesque setting, historic appeal, arts and educational activities, and surrounding natural beauty. I believe that, to accommodate ever-increasing numbers of cruise ships, passengers and crew, Sitka will have to push aside these unique attributes that make it such a special place to LIVE and an exceptional place to visit.
The goal of setting guidelines fort the number of large cruise ship passengers represents a wish to share our community while preserving a special lifestyle. The fundamental question centers on the issue of quality vs. quantity: how much is enough and what is at stake for our community? If our community does not set guidelines for limits to cruise ship passenger numbers, we face the loss of what is the essence of this Southeast Alaskan community. It is already obvious that, as numbers increase, more of the community must be devoted to currently have the volume of tourist attractions, services, service personnel and associated infrastructures (roadways, parking, restrooms, seasonal housing, cell phone and internet capacity, etc.) to meet the needs of unlimited numbers of cruise ship passengers and their crew.
We have already experienced an influx of buses needed to provide continuous passenger transportation options, ringing in noise and exhaust pollution. We have had Sitka’s main street closed to vehicle and bike traffic due to the overburden of the walkways.
There are issues with traffic and pedestrian flow: Sitka’s main thorough fare from the central traffic light and up/over the bridge serves several major businesses and residential areas: airport, hospital, Sealing boat harbor, U.S. Coast Guard installations and housing, campuses of UAS and MEHS. Additionally, one of Sitka’s TWO boat launch options (Crescent Harbor is not available) is at Sealing Cove. During ‘‘big ship days’’ the traffic pattern to serve the thousands of ship passengers and steady bus traffic central to Harrigan Centennial Hall becomes significantly congested as well as hazardous.
The upcoming vote to set parameters for cruise ship passenger numbers in Sitka brings an opportunity for our community members to be heard. A vote to control the numbers of cruise ships/passengers coming to Sitka is a vote to maintain the integrity and essence of our community, not just as a tourist destination. It is important to realize that the upcoming vote does not limit the numbers of independent travelers/hikers/campers/boaters or small cruise ship passengers.
I don’t want Sitka to exist primarily for cruise ship passengers; I want balance.
Elizabeth Mosher, 48-year
Sitka resident/retiree
