Dear Source:
I am a 29 year resident of St. Thomas who has seen this island change for both the better and the worse, I feel confidant in saying that the proposed Mandahl Bay Development should not be allowed to go forward for many reasons. The proposal to build a marina, condominiums, restaurants and retail stores on Government land is impractical. Now is the time for CZM and the Government of the Virgin Islands to take the lead and manage our eco systems in an eco friendly manner.
The Salt Pond in Mandahl Bay is host to federally and locally protected mangroves, and the surrounding bay is home to federally protected Elkhorn and Staghorn coral, which are also listed under the US Endangered Species Act. The beach at Mandahl Bay provides nesting for the Hawksbill turtle. Local fisherman catch bait in the lagoon and recreational fishers come to fish for tarpin, snook and many other fish species. According to the Government of the Virgin Islands own Fish and Wildlife Departments assessment of the proposal the construction of this project will not allow the coral and invertebrate species to survive and recommend that the request for a permit be denied.
Mandahl Bay located on the exposed north shore of St. Thomas is subject to high swells and waves and is a frequent surfing area. It is the only north shore hurricane hole for local boaters. The Bays inaccessible location precludes this area for a marina. The salt pond and beach area are part of the Federally designated Coastal Barrier Unit, thereby prohibiting use of Federal funds, loans or grants to develop this area. FEMA flood insurance cannot be secured. In the case of a major storm event FEMA would not step in for relief, leaving the VI Government responsible for infrastructure repair. The VI Government would be responsible because this proposed development is on Government land!
A recent survey of marinas on St. Thomas showed that there are boat slips available posing the question why do we need another marina when the ones we have are not full? Within the last two years a request to increase the dockage space at Compass Point Marina was denied. If our island is in such dire need of boat slips and marina services lets work to expand our already functional marinas and leave our shrinking natural habitats alone. In reality the marina may just be an enticement by the developers to lure prospective buyers to the condominiums and shops which are planned to surround the pond, not to serve a local boating community.
In September 1993 Mandahl Bay was designated an Area of Particular Concern (APC) and an Area for Preservation and Restoration (APR). Section 906 of the Regulations of the Virgin Islands states that the environmental policy for this area is to "conserve significant natural areas for their contribution to marine productivity and value as habitat for endangered species and other wildlife." The management plan further states that "the salt pond should not be further developed as a marina" and "the area should be preserved for its natural, recreational and scenic attributes".
In July of 2007 a permit was granted for a campground across the road from the salt pond. The campground was developed by a family who has lived here all their lives and have seen the need for an environmentally educational area where school children can come and learn about the pond and the bay and our natural resources. I wonder how many of us would be able to afford to live in these condominiums that are proposed to be built around the salt pond? These same condominiums are then going to block the view of the pond from the campground that was previously permitted for its ecologically sensitive intent! Where would the logic and planning be to grant this Marina a permit? The land for the proposed development is Government land. The developers purchased a lease that was conceived in 1964. This is land that belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands and in my opinion the majority of Virgin Islanders would not be best served by constructing a marina and condominiums forcing the ruination of one of our last natural resources. What was conceived in 1964 does not automatically make viable sense in 2009 almost fifty years later. Our island has lost Botany Bay to developers, Lovango and Thatch Cays, and you can bet Hans Llolick will follow if this Marina is allowed to move forward.
President Obama is poised to move this nation in a new direction. Lets help him in his goal to go green and preserve our natural resources for our children's children. Lets take the lead here in the Virgin Islands. Yes We Can CZM, lets look at the CZM mission statement promising to "manage, enhance, preserve and protect our coastal resources". Lets use our governmental resources to improve already existing revenue sources like Sapphire Beach, and the Renaissance property instead of destroying our dwindling natural resources for the sake of a lease and tax revenues.
The VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources as far back as 1993 stated leave Mandahl Bay in its natural state. The VI Division of Fish and Wildlife recommends that a request for a permit be denied. The United States Department of Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that CZM deny both the land and water parts of this CZM permit. The VI Government should buy the lease back and preserve Mandahl Bay in its natural state. This project does not need to be scaled down or revised, this project needs to be denied.
Randy Shaw
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 visource@gmail.com.
