The National Park Service has embarked on two planning processes to define management direction over the next 10 to 15 years for the V.I. National Park. "One of the greatest challenges facing the NPS is how to provide a quality experience for an increasing number of visitors while preserving the park's fragile ecosystems, especially its coral reefs," a release states.
Both the Vessel Management Plan and the Commercial Services Plan are intended to implement the park's 1983 General Management Plan and to assist the NPS in meeting its mission "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife herein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
The plans are aimed at helping park users to understand better the rules and regulations governing protection of park resources; identifying opportunities to expand and needs to restrict the use of park waters; and defining the types and levels of commercial services to be provided by the private sector within the park. Through these plans, the NPS hopes to assist in the economic revitalization of the Virgin Islands without compromising the resource values for which the park was established.
Vessel Management Plan
This plan will provide long-term management direction for the use of park waters by all types of vessels, from cruise ships to dinghys. Management approaches will vary by type of vessel and by specific areas of the park.
Issues to be addressed will be identified through an agency and public input process. Key questions to be addressed include:
Should the existing mooring program be revisited? Should moorings be relocated, removed or increased in number? Should the goal of an anchlorless park be pursued? If not, should specific areas be anchorless? Should carrying capacity restrictions apply to specific areas of the Park? If so, how? Should commercial vessels, both freighters and ferries, that now routinely pass through park waters be routed outside park waters?
What additional resource protection measures are needed to comply with the Coral Reef Executive Order and the Endangered Species Act? What additional navigational aids, docking facilities, waste disposal facilities and other services are needed? Are limitations on speeds, noise and lights warranted? If so, how should they be established?
How should maintenance of moorings, resource inventorying and monitoring, educational programs and enforcement be financed? How can the boating community, both local and visiting, be involved in managing and promoting stewardship of the park's coral, seagrass, mangrove and beach resources?
Some current rules and regulations will not be reconsidered. Prohibitions on cruise ship anchoring, personal watercraft, waterskiing, parasailing and other activities involving towing will remain in place. Fishing issues, because of their complexity, will be addressed through a separate planning process to come.
Commercial Services Plan
This plan will determine the types and levels of commercial services that are necessary and appropriate within the V.I. National Park, and the most effective and efficient way to deliver and manage those services. Again, issues to be addressed will be defined through agency and public input. Issues could include the following: desired changes at existing concession operations in Caneel Bay, Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay; additional services at areas where none are currently available; cruise ship and other commercial boating services provided within park waters; transportation services for organized tour groups and the general public.
The plan will address all types of contracts and permits for operations within the park, including concession permits, incidental use permits and exclusive contracts. Carrying capacity and limitations on the number of permits will be key issues.
The two planning processes are being undertaken simultaneously to address the potential overlap in issues and to coordinate public involvement opportunities. They are being conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and NPS standards. It is anticipated that the processes will take six to seven months, with adoption of the plans by late June 2000.
The input or "scoping" process involves the identification of issues and alternatives to be considered in determining the substance, or scope, of the plans. The process will run from mid-December through January. Activities will include four open house presentations, news media outreach; briefings with government agencies and elected officials; wide distribution of a newsletter including a questionnaire; presentations before community groups; interviews with key stakeholders to be affected by changes in policy; and the posting of information on the web sites of the park (www.nps.gov/viis) and the Friends of the National Park (www.friendsvinp.org).
