Case Study: Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Juneau, Alaska

As the population of Juneau, Alaska continues to grow, and as its popularity as a tourist destination continues to increase, the city must balance the economic benefits brought by tourism with the environmental consequences of increased tourist-related activity on the region's landscape and wildlife. Various public and private initiatives have been undertaken by the city's environmentally-aware and politically-active population, including several actions aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts while promoting the economic benefits of tourist-related activities; a comprehensive community survey on the environmental and economic effects of tourism; 20/20 Vision for Downtown Juneau, a comprehensive planning effort of the Juneau planning department; and a year-long study undertaken by two universities that explores alternative development scenarios [see sidebar]. These efforts acknowledge the importance of tourism in the economic and environmental well-being of the region