BEACH ADVISORIES from the Division of Environmental Protection, DPNR

DPNR Captures 7 Foot Snake In La Grange

Last Thursday, August 21, the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) received a phone call from a resident in Estate La Grange reporting that a very large snake was found crawling in their driveway. Jennifer Valiulis, Wildlife Biologist and Dr. William Coles, Chief of Endangered Species and Environmental Education for DFW responded to the call. They arrived to.... Continued

DPNR to Hold Public Meeting with
St. Thomas / St. John Marine Community

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that a public meeting will be held to discuss plans of enforcement actions in the marine sanctuaries throughout the St. Thomas/St. John district, particularly Christmas Cove, Secret Harbor, and False Entrance. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the DPNR Main Conference Room at the Cyril E. King Airport Terminal Building. All boaters and owners of live-aboard vessels in these sanctuaries are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee
Holds Monthly Meeting

DPNR announces that the next monthly meeting of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee will be held Friday, July 11, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Department’s main conference room at No. 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted...Continued.

CZM Hosts Free Workshop on St. Croix
for Permitting Process

In a continuing effort to enlighten the community on the permitting process the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Division of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) invites all interested persons to participate in the CZM Permitting Process Workshop on St. Croix: “Preparing a Coastal Zone Management Permit Application”....Continued.

Territory-Wide Commercial Fisherman Registration
and Boating Registration on St. John Conducted

Registration for commercial fisherman will be conducted on St. Croix and St. Thomas Monday thru Friday, July 7-11, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Division of Environmental Enforcement. Registration will be conducted on St. John Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the Division of Permits at Market Place. Commercial fishermen registered during the....Continued.

Sewage Release Near JFK Housing Community

The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received reports that a gravity line has failed. The failed section of the line is located in the middle of the street adjacent to the Pueblo Shopping Center in Estate Golden Rock. Currently, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority is excavating the area to repair the line. As a result of the failure, sewage has eroded....Continued.

Derelict Vessel in Christiansted Harbor

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has determined that a 40’ Blue Trimaran has been considered derelict and abandoned in the Mooring Site at the Christiansted harbor. DPNR investigations reveal that the derelict vessel poses a potential danger to the environment and to the navigation of other vessels. The Department is requiring removal of this derelict vessel by its owner within thirty days of this notice....Continued.

DPNR Warns of Jelly-Fish Sightings

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that The St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP), a program within the Division of Coastal Zone Management is advising the public about recent sightings of Portuguese Man-of-War jellyfish in Robin and Great Pond Bays. The jellyfish have been seen both in the water and on shore. The jellyfish are pink or purple, translucent with numerous long, stinging tentacles. The tentacles remain toxic and can produce a sting even after washed ashore. As such, the tentacles should be avoided if a Portuguese Man-of-War is encountered in the water or along the shoreline. If stung, affected skin areas can be rinsed with seawater (fresh water will set off more stinging cells) or household vinegar. If a serious reaction results from the stings, medical attention should be sought. For more information please call the STXEEMP at 773-3367 or DPNR-DFW at 773-1082.

DPNR Arrests 6 for Killing Hawksbill Turtle

On Thursday evening, May 22, 2008, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Enforcement officers and Division of Fish and Wildlife staff responded to a call for assistance from the VI Police Department regarding a possible juvenile lobster violation.  Upon arrival DPNR Enforcement Officers found six individuals in possession of....Continued.

St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee Holds Monthly Meeting

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the next monthly meeting of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the Department’s main conference room at No. 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted....Continued.

Sahara Dust Causing Hazy Skies in the Virgin Islands

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources is advising the public that the hazy skies in the Virgin Islands are a result of dust from the Sahara Desert. The dust reduces visibility and results in poor air quality. Due to the dust storms and a rise in warm air, the sand in the Sahara rises above the desert...Continued.

DPNR Calls For Nominations For Awareness Award

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces a call for nominations for its 2008 Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program Awareness Award.  This award is open to individuals, private organizations, schools and government agencies, from the entire Territory except for the department of DPNR employees or families of employees...Continued.

CZM Hosts Free Workshop on Permitting Process

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Division of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) invites all interested persons to participate in the CZM Permitting Process Workshop on St. Thomas: “PREPARING A COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PERMIT APPLICATION”.  This workshop will be conducted on Thursday, May 15, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, Conference Center Room 142-1-B. Click here for details.

Free Surplus Books For Vi Public Libraries!

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources is pleased to announce that the Division of Libraries, Archives & Museums has been granted participation in the Library of Congress’ Surplus Books Program for the next two years. This program allows….Continued.

DPNR’S Division Of Building Permits Celebrates “Building Safety Week

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Division of Building Permits is celebrating the 28th annual “Building Safety Week” from Monday May 5 through Friday, May 9, 2008. ....Continued.

Energy Office Presents “Light The Way” Award

The Virgin Islands Energy Office, a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, has extended the deadline for the current cycle of its Discretionary Grant Program to Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Grants are available in four areas: education mini grants, energy education outreach, building retrofit grants, and solar outdoor lighting. The deadline for this round had been previously set for April 18th....Continued.

St. John’s Sprauve Library Undergoes Major Renovations

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources advises the community that the Elaine Ione Sprauve Library on St. John will be closed for circulation temporarily from Wednesday, April 16th through Monday May 12th. This will allow staff to pack and relocate to temporary quarters adjacent to the existing library. Library services will resume regular working hours at the temporary quarters from May 12th....Continued.

Discretionary Grant Program Deadline Extended

The Virgin Islands Energy Office, a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, has extended the deadline for the current cycle of its Discretionary Grant Program to Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Grants are available in four areas: education mini grants, energy education outreach, building retrofit grants, and solar outdoor lighting. The deadline for this round had been previously set for April 18th....Continued.

St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee Holds Monthly Meeting

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the monthly meeting of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee which will be held on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Department’s main conference room at No. 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted.  For more information contact the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office at 773-1082 extension 2238....Continued.

DPNR and Public Libraries Celebrate National Library Week

The Division of Libraries is celebrating National Library Week from April 14th – 19th. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April....Continued.

 V.I. Energy Office Offers Global Warming Presentations

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Virgin Islands Energy Office will be offering presentations on Global Warming to any interested community organization. ....Follow this link for details.

Campo Rico Pump Station Offline, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) is investigating reports that the Campo Rico pump station is currently offline after suffering mechanical failure to the house pump and the standby diesel pump. As a result, the manhole located in the middle of the street is overflowing with sewage and flowing into a storm drain that travels....Continued.

St. Thomas CZM Committee Decision Meeting

The St. Thomas CZM Committee Decision Meeting for CZM Major Water Permit No. CZT-10-07(W)/WT ENTERPRISES, LLC, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at the DPNR Conference Room Cyril E. King Airport, Terminal Building, Second Floor, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands has been cancelled. The Applicant has withdrawn the application.

LBJ Force Main Failure

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received reports that the LBJ force main has failed and is bypassing over Long Reef. Continued

Solar Lights Light Up St. Croix Parking Lot

The V.I. Public Defenders Office demonstrated at an Open House last week that government agencies can work together efficiently to curb the Virgin Islands’ dependency on foreign oil. The Public Defender’s Office received grant money from the Virgin Islands Energy Office, a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, in April of 2007 and had five solar lights installed in the parking lot around its building in Clifton Hill within the year. Continued

Division of Fish and Wildlife Conducting Bat Surveys

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife and Island Resources Foundation, in association with the University of Scranton, PA, are conducting research on the bats of St. Thomas and St. John. This research is to determine the bats habitat use and distribution. The public is invited to attend a special survey session to learn about the project, see some bats up close, and find out how to protect bats in the environment. This event will be held at Magen’s Bay, shed 3, from 6.30 -9.30 pm on Friday, March 14, 2008. For further information, contact Renata Platenberg, at the Division of Fish and Wildlife on 775-6762 or by email at vi.wildlife@gmail.com.

Agencies Host Concert Series For VI History Month

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the month of March is Virgin Islands History Month. In honor of this month, the Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute, Department of Education Cultural Education Division and Virgin Islands Council on the Arts will host a series of performances to include a “Concert Series”, featuring students from public schools throughout the territory....Continued.

Division Of Libraries Unveils St. Croix Bookmobile

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources is proud to announce the launching of the St. Croix Bookmobile. The Bookmobile holds more than 500 books, audiotapes, and videos, and is equipped with computers with Internet access...Continued.

St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee
Monthly Meeting

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the monthly meeting of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee will be held on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Department’s main conference room at No. 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted. For more information contact the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office at 773-1082 extension 2238. ...Continued.

DPNR/DEP Co-Sponsor 2008 Plumbers Workshop

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) today announced that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP), Small Business Environmental Assistance Program will co-sponsor the 2008 Plumbers Workshop in conjunction with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the VI Plumbers Association. More....

Intent to Establish a List of Waters

Notice of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources intent to establish a list of waters for the United States Virgin Islands under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987...Continued.

St Croix East-End Marine Park Announces February Tours

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces The St Croix East End Marine Parks’ (STXEEMP) Interpretive Program for February 2008. The tours of various natural history and cultural aspects of the park and adjacent land will be led by Park Ranger Mr. John Farchette III. The public is invited to reserve a place in the free 2 hr tours by calling 773-3367 - ask for Park Tours. Follow this link for more information.

Horses in the Residential Communities of Eliza’s Retreat

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources advises the public that the maintenance of horses in the residential communities of Eliza’s Retreat, Welcome or the Spring Gut areas of Christiansted, St. Croix constitutes a zoning violation.   These communities are zoned R-2 (Residential - Low Density – One and Two Family Homes), based on....Continued

Interim Work on the LBJ force Main Failure Being Monitored

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) is still monitoring the LBJ force main that failed earlier in this week. The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) has not been able to excavate the area at the entrance to the LBJ housing community in order to make the necessary repairs to....Continued.

LBJ Force Main Fails Again at LBJ Gardens Housing Complex

The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received reports that the LBJ force main has failed again. The failed section of the line is located in the middle of the street at the entrance to the LBJ Garden Housing Community on St. Croix. As a result, sewage is....Continued.

St Croix East-End Marine Park Announces Free Interpretive Tours

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces The St Croix East End Marine Parks’ (STXEEMP) Interpretive Program for January 2008. The tours of various natural history and cultural aspects of the park and adjacent land will be led by Park Ranger Mr. John Farchette III. The public is invited to reserve a place in the free 2 hr tours by calling 773-3367 - ask for Park Tours. Follow this link for more information.

Failure of LBJ Force Main in LBJ Gardens Housing Complex

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received reports that the LBJ force main has failed. The failed section of the line is located at the entrance to the LBJ Garden Housing Community on St. Croix. Continued.

Failure of LBJ Force Main in LBJ Gardens Housing Complex

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has received reports that the LBJ force main has failed. The failed section of the line is located at the entrance to the LBJ Garden Housing Community on St. Croix. Continued.

Vine Holds Capacity Building Workshop For Its Members

The Virgin Islands Network of Environmental Educators (VINE) is holding its first ever capacity building workshop for VINE members of the USVI territory on Thursday and Friday, September 20-21 at 9:00 a.m. This two-day workshop will be held at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute on St. Croix for more than 35 participants, including the Science Coordinator of the Department of Education, Ms. Rosa White.  Follow this link for more information.

How Can You Protect Sea Turtles From the Negative Impacts of Artificial Lighting?

Come to a presentation on sea turtles and light disorientation.  Participants will learn:

• Sea turtle biology and conservation,
• The impacts of coastal lighting on sea turtles, and
• How to implement responsible lighting that can reduce impacts to sea turtles.

....Continued.

Solicitation of Data for the 2008 Integrated Water Quality
Monitoring & Assessment Report

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Division of Environmental Protection is soliciting water quality related data to use in the development of the 2008 lntegrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report. The U.S. Virgin lslands has integrated the reporting requirements of Clean Water Act Section 305(b) and Section 303(d) into a single product, which is termed an lntegrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report. This report requires....Continued.

Failure of LBJ Force Main in LBJ Gardens Housing Complex

The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reports that the LBJ Force Main located in LBJ Gardens Housing Complex on St. Croix has failed. The ruptured section of the Force Main is located in the middle of the street just before the entrance. The main flow stream is sending raw sewage into storm drains and drive ways located in front of several apartments.  Continued.

St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee Holds Monthly Meeting

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the monthly meeting of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. in the Department’s Main Conference Room at No. 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted.  For more information contact the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office at 773-1082 extension 2238.  Click here for details and meeting agenda.

PUBLIC ADVISORY: Sewage Line Failure at LBJ Housing Complex

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reports that a sewage line located in LBJ Housing Complex on St. Croix suffered structural failure. The failed pipeline has created a sizable pool which is located behind Building B. In addition, the area is completely saturated, resulting in streams of sewage impacting the properties adjacent to and beyond the affected area. Continued.

PUBLIC ADVISORY: Storm Water Run Off

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that as a result of recent heavy rainfall, which is anticipated to continue throughout the Territory this weekend, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) advises the public to refrain from swimming, fishing, and bathing in coastal waters that have been impacted by storm-water runoff.  Follow this link for more information.

PUBLIC ADVISORY: Collapsed Manhole on Shoulder of Melvin Evans Highway, West of St. Croix Renaissance Group

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) has investigated reports that a manhole located on the west bound shoulder of the Melvin Evans Highway to the west of the St. Croix Renaissance Group’s entrance has collapsed. Currently, the VI Waste Management Authority (WMA) has indicated that corrective measures are.....Continued

PUBLIC ADVISORY: Hurricane Dean

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that in anticipation of Hurricane Dean’s rains this weekend, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) expects the usual negative environmental impacts caused by storm-water runoff. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in storm-water-impacted areas as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria and other pollutants. Therefore, DPNR advises the public to refrain from using the coastal waters throughout the Territory until further notice. DPNR also advises parents to instruct their children to keep away from storm-water-impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm-water flooding. DPNR continues to monitor the impacted areas and waters and will be providing regular beach and swimming advisories.   Continued.....

PUBLIC NOTICE: Hurricane Preparation Guidelines For Boaters in The U.S. Virgin Islands

All boaters should begin to make necessary preparations for Tropical Storm Dean.  Although this storm is 4-5 days away with an indeterminate track boaters desiring to take the initiative are advised to relocate to the havens mentioned below.   The DPNR advises boaters to use the three point mooring systems found in the “Survive a Hurricane” booklet, available at VITEMA.   Click here for the complete public notices and associated documents.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is issuing a public notice for the Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) number SWC000001. The CGP SWC000001 has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1251 et. seq., as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, P.L. 100-4, and the Virgin Islands Water Pollution Control Act, 12 V.I.C. § 184 et. seq. for operators of large and small construction activities.   Click here for the complete public notices and associated documents.

St. Thomas Fisherman to be Fined For Illegal Fishing

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources was recently notified by NOAA Fisheries that they had issued a Notice of Violation in the amount of $8,000 to St. Thomas fisherman Reynaldo Turbe for illegal fishing in the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District this year.  Mr. Turbe, who had admitted to NOAA Fisheries agents to fishing during the Red Hind spawning aggregation, was apprehended following numerous complaints by local fishermen during a combined DPNR-NOAA fisheries operation.  Follow this link for more information.

Public Libraries Announce Modified Hours and Book Signing
at Enid M. BAA Public Library

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces several events and modified hours of operation for the Division of Libraries in the next two weeks. The Florence Williams and Enid M. Baa Public libraries on St. Croix and St. Thomas will be closed three consecutive Saturdays: Saturday August 18th, August 25th and Saturday September 1st with the exception of the special activities at Baa library on Saturday August 18th.  Continued....

DPNR and the Nature Conservancy Enter MOU

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources is pleased to announce that on July 27, 2007 the department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Nature Conservancy to collaborate and develop policies concerning a Territorial conservation strategy and action plan.  Click here for details.

 DPNR To Hold Town Meeting on Coral Bay Watershed Management Plan

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that members from the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP), along with staff from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will be visiting the Territory to assist DPNR in evaluating Coral Bay for the implementation of a watershed management plan. NOAA’s Coral Reef division is funding a multi-year training and management program in all the US Territories aimed at addressing land-based sources of pollution that threaten Coral Reef Ecosystems. . Click here for more information.

DPNR Extends Conch Closure Season

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that effective immediately, the Territorial conch closure season will be extended until January 1, 2008.