Dear Source:
Thank you Governor deJongh on behalf of the board of the Virgin Islands Conservation Society for your decision October 14, 2009, concerning the dredging of the St. Thomas Harbor and Lindbergh Bay. Yours was the right decision considering both the sound science arguing against disposal of dredge spoils in Lindbergh Bay and the sentiments of the public.
I note that while you have ruled out Lindbergh Bay as a disposal site, you have formed a “mini task force” to consider alternate dump sites. According to the Daily News October 15, 2009 article, WICO, Port Authority, Tourism and DPW will be represented on the task force. We recommend that DPNR Divisions of Coastal Zone Management and Fish and Wildlife also be included on the task force to represent environmental concerns.
I hope that a long-range solution can be implemented after full consideration of viable alternatives. The Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS) continues to support serious consideration of disposal of the material on the red mud industrial site managed by St. Croix Renaissance Group as a viable alternative. VICS offers to work with you and the task force in your efforts to carefully consider alternative dredge spoil disposal sites and bring this issue to a resolution that balances environmental and economic considerations.
Jason Budsan
St. Thomas
