76.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024

On Target

Dear Source:

It is with great pleasure to see the Department of Planning and Natural Resources "Director" stand up to the plate. Lets start with cleaning up our Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. First and foremost false entrance has been a haven for live aboard for over 20 years. This is a Sanctuary, most important to keep it pristine and clean of any contaminants, oil, the repair of vessels on the water with neglect of maintenance of the vessels leading to abandonment then finally a graveyard of numerous vessels left sunken and left in the sanctuary which effects the delicate balance of the marine life in the mangroves, not failing to mention the MSD's aboard the vessels whereas some cannot even move under their own power, a requirement. The dumping of fecal matter is just an everyday affair so lets start with enforcement of operational heads and sealed thru-hulls aboard them it's both a federal/local requirement aboard all vessels "motorized or not" we must maintain our eco-system.
The complete sanctuary should and must be enforced without exceptions. As for Christmas Cove I support mooring fields for vessels and a charge for same installed by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and yes a charge for the maintenance and enforcement of same. I attended the CZM hearing with the Leylon Sneeds application whereas the onslaught of the newly formed east end coalition with legal team blasting out the Commercial Operation was in direct violation of Law does not permit same in a Sanctuary but on the contrary most commercial vessels that operate in Christmas Cove daily sometimes twice a day are in fact affiliated with businesses of the exclusive east end to include hotels serving charters to hundreds of persons per day. I would request they get on board with this 'Save the Sanctuary" campaign. Lets protect what we have left. The anchors are being dropped on delicate coral and the seabed destroying it. Mooring fields are the norm in all states with coastline this is nothing new to any boat owner, and a fee is attached. Lets not forget this is a protected area and any mangrove lagoon's mooring applications should be carefully scrutinized with regards to MSD's stopping any fecal waste from affecting marine life. The Division of Fish and Wildlife and the USFWS should have a plan in place for mooring fields in Jersey Bay for the protection of habitat destruction. Lets move on that plan and also make this a priority.
Prevention is always the best tool for destruction.

Steve Serge
St. Thomas

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

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