V.I. National Park Supt. Russell Berry Jr. says he's satisfied with the public response to the recent series of "scoping" meetings held to discuss proposed long-range marine and commercial use management plans for the park. He and National Park Service consultant Jim Owens hosted five "open-house" sessions on St. John and St. Thomas to garner input on the plans.
Berry said the public response to these opportunities to offer ideas and feedback was so encouraging that he decided to set up additional meetings with specific community organizations. "We met with the crew charter folks on St. Thomas last Thursday," he said. This week, there'll be a meeting with the St. Thomas Power Squadron.
Meanwhile, the public still has the opportunity to share views and concerns about the plans by taking part in a two-part survey. One set of questions relates to the proposed Commercial Services Plan that will help chart the future for concessionaires doing business on park property. The other has questions related to the use of park waterways by boaters, swimmers and watersports enthusiasts.
Berry couldn't say how many survey questionnaires have been turned in so far, but he said respondents have offered "a lot of good suggestions" about the recently expanded boat mooring program in the park. Survey forms are available at the National Park Visitor Centers in Cruz Bay on St. John and in Red Hook on St. Thomas. An on-line version may be accessed on the St. John Source by clicking on National Park. Park officials are asking that everyone wishing to take part in the survey submit their completed questionnaires by the end of January.
