Sitka voters will cast their ballots May 28 on a citizens initiative to limit the number — and days — of cruise ship passengers in town. If approved, the limits would take effect next year.
The Sitka assembly approved the special election March 27.
Advocates of limits on cruise ship visitors to town, Small Town SOUL, collected almost 700 petition signatures, more than enough to earn a spot on the ballot.
The yes-or-no question on the ballot will determine whether or not Sitka limits cruise ship port calls May through September; sets aside at least one day a week for no cruise ships; imposes a cap of 4,500 passengers per day; and limits cruise visitors to 300,000 a year, which would be a significant limitation from last year’s count of almost 600,000 passengers.
The group failed in three previous attempts over the past two years to put the issue before voters. The previous initiatives did not meet the legal standards for a ballot measure, according to Sitka officials.
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