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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesCONSERVATION FIRST, OWNERSHIP LATER

CONSERVATION FIRST, OWNERSHIP LATER

Dear Source:
Unfortunately when President Clinton and then Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbit designated the V.I. Coral Reef National Monuments they didn't realize that there isn't much left to protect.
On Tuesday, March 13, I was annoyed at the posture of the Committee on Government Operations, Planning and Environmental Protection regarding the newly designated National Monuments. It was stated by Senator Cole, "The most important issue is/was the ownership of the submerged land. Once the legal issue is settled, the conservation issues can be dealt with." In the meantime, MILLIONS of TONS of raw untreated feces, urine and other unmentionables run onto and into the surrounding beaches and oceans on a daily basis throughout the Virgin Islands. This is due to the many sewage treatment plants that are working below standards or not at all. For this reason I find it very difficult to understand the importance of ownership of submerged lands that may possibly be nonexistent. The longer raw sewage is allowed to flow into our waters we are less likely to have any monuments!
The potable water that WAPA desalinates comes from the same ocean we are using as our collective sewer. If fish are turning up dead, is it too far-fetched to think that the use of this water for drinking, swimming, relaxing, etc., will lead to ear/nose infections, skin irritation, loss of hair or at the worst an epidemic of grander proportions?
We are requesting that sufficient continual adequate funding be made available immediately to repair/replace, operate, maintain, upgrade or replace when necessary treatment plants in the VI. The citizens of the Virgin Islands are ready to lobby Congress and the EPA with you.
On Behalf of those for Whom We Advocate,
Caroline Browne
St. Thomas

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