The Planning and Natural Resources Department and the V.I. National Park are recent recipients of federal grants, Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen has announced.
PNR will receive $787,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to continue administering, monitoring and enforcement of the V.I. Coastal Management Program. The department will focus on coastal use administration, public education and outreach, tributary strategy development, assistance to local governments, and low-cost construction projects.
PNR will also receive a grant for $12,536 to collect commercial fisheries statistics and biological data from fishing trips with cooperating fishermen. Data will be used to monitor fisheries and develop fishery-management plans.
The Virgin Islands National Park received $48,600 from the National Park Foundation to aid recovery efforts for the coral reefs in the park, which are sustaining damage from nature and man.
This grant is made possible by the Canon Corp. The equipment provided by Canon will allow for production of a video to educate people about the sensitivity of coral reefs.
