Last month, the Sitka Assembly adopted a list of recommendations from the Tourism Task Force. When the assembly meets tonight (6-25-24), it will discuss how to move forward in tackling some of those items.
The assembly established the tourism task force in 2023, after the community started seeing unprecedented growth in tourism following the expansion of Halibut Point Cruise Terminal, Sitka’s privately owned cruise dock. The task force was asked to gather community input on acceptable levels of tourism and how the city should respond.
The assembly will review a draft “action plan” that ranks the recommendations from the task force. Right now, some recommendations listed as ‘high’ priority include pursuing a mutual agreement with the cruise industry, establishing a permanent tourism commission, and regulating E-Bikes.
In other business, the assembly will consider whether to sign onto an amicus brief supporting a new policy to limit halibut bycatch in the Bering Sea. The assembly passed a resolution in favor of the policy in May, but the amicus brief would be in support of the National Marine Fisheries Service, which is being sued by Groundfish Forum Incorporated for implementing the new policy.
The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly.
