The territory is in position to get $225,000 of a $1.3 million federal set-aside for coral reef conservation.
Dean Plaskett, commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources, said the territory could receive that money to develop a marine management plan and eventually a marine park.
Plaskett was in Washington, D.C., last week to attend a meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. The Washington meeting was a follow-up to the Coral Reef Task Force’s gathering held on St. Croix last November.
At that conference, the task force adopted the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs. The plan makes recommendations for the federal government, states and territories to ensure sustainable coral reef ecosystems.
Plaskett said that at last week’s meeting, the Virgin Islands was acknowledged for its plans to establish marine sanctuaries and a marine park system. Help in funding such plans will come from the federal government.
Congress has appropriated $6 million for fiscal year 2000 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for coral reef conservation. The Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Interior's Office of Insular Affairs have also received increased funding for coral reef protection in FY 2000.
NOAA and the Office of Insular Affairs will award approximately $1.3 million to support aspects of the All Islands Coral Reef Initiative Strategy. From that, Plaskett said, the Virgin Islands could see the $225,000.
He said DPNR is ready to work with the Park Service, the University of the Virgin Islands and non-governmental organizations to develop the territory's coral reef plan.
