Charleston put on watch status by National Trust

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has put Charleston on what it calls “watch status” because of concerns about the city’s growing cruise industry.

The trust releases its list of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places on Wednesday. Charleston didn’t make the list, but the trust says watch status means a threat is growing and can be avoided through collaboration.

The controversy in Charleston has been brewing for months. This week residents and others sued, alleging the industry violates city and state laws.

The trust says it wants to help resolve the Charleston situation by helping sponsor a study of the impact of the cruise industry. It says it wants to help clarify options for regulating the industry and launching a community forum on cruise tourism.