Charleston deserves reasonable standards on cruises

We live in a remarkable city. Millions of tourists visit Charleston every year to experience its history, charm and unique quality of life. These defining qualities did not just happen. Generations of government and civic leaders have worked hard to ensure these qualities are preserved. Our preservation organizations are recognized as the most effective and visionary in the country. Our mayor, Joe Riley, accepted the National Medal of Arts with these words: "This award is a recognition of the city that I am privileged to serve and a recognition of the work of our community to build and maintain a beautiful and livable city that is a national treasure."

We all work together to "build and maintain" this "beautiful and livable city" and protect the resources that bring people here. Tourism is an economic engine. We also realize that we must balance this important industry with other economic pressures and the quality of life of residents.

This is why we have regulations and why many citizens serve on regulatory boards such as the Tourism Commission and the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), and on the boards of preservation organizations. Citizens and businesses comply with strict standards because they protect our quality of life. In Charleston, people get it: Everyone seems to understand that standards benefit the residents and the economy.

Well, almost everyone.

Currently, a cruise ship brings about 3,000 people (passengers and crew) to Charleston. The passengers eat, sleep, swim, shower, shop and enjoy the ship's amenities. Other establishments in our city offer these same services to people on vacation. They are called hotels, restaurants and shops. It may appear that the only difference between the ships and our local businesses is that the ships come and go.

Actually, that's not the only difference. Local businesses are regulated with regard to the size and appearance of their establishments, waste disposal, traffic management and noise. Cruise ships are not. Local businesses pay local taxes. Cruise ships do not.

Anyone who has been downtown when a cruise ship is in port has felt the impact of this industry on Charleston's quality of life. Yet anytime it is suggested that the cruise industry should agree in writing to specific standards, executives at the State Ports Authority act insulted. The SPA suggests that we should "trust" it and the cruise industry to protect our quality of life. But why should we forgo reasonable regulation when our long history tells us its value? We regulate ourselves, neighbors and local businesses; why should we make an exception for the SPA and the cruise industry?

In response to numerous requests for written commitments regarding the number and size of ships, the timing of cruise calls in relation to major events, and responsible environmental management, the SPA has demurred. Most recently, the SPA has given written assurance -- assurance that they will do everything they can to maximize the cruise business. They explain that they are driven by their bottom line and think committing to limits is not in their interest. They think the market currently supports two ships per week, but if it will support more, they will consult the city about how to accommodate this increased demand. In response to concerns about ship size (height, scale and mass, not to mention vehicular and pedestrian traffic) they expect to welcome ships with up to 3,500 passengers -- one and a half times the number on the Carnival Fantasy. As for coordinating with major community events that have taken many years to establish, they say they will publish their booking calendar and the city can work it out.

And with regard to concerns about protecting Charleston's environment, they are silent. The implication is that concerns about the quality of our air and the health of our harbor do not deserve to be addressed.

This is unreasonable and unacceptable. Generations of Charlestonians and many current residents have worked to ensure the beauty and quality of life that residents and visitors value. We pay taxes and accept regulation. We go to the BAR before making a change. We consider our neighbors. Developers pay for thorough economic impact and traffic studies before they are allowed to build. The SPA is pleased to accept the results of all this -- our remarkable city -- as attracting cruise lines. They just don't think the rules should apply to them. The SPA and, in particular, the cruise industry are what economists refer to as "free riders." Those of us paying full freight once again request that the SPA and the cruise industry commit in writing to reasonable standards.

Laura D. Gates is chair of the Coastal Conservation League and serves on the City of Charleston Tourism Commission and board of the Historic Charleston Foundation. She is a former vice president of the Field Museum of Natural History and Principal at McKinsey and Company, Inc.