The V.I. government Thursday received $1 million of a $5.3 million criminal fine levied against Hess Oil of the Virgin Islands Corp. three years ago for violating federal environmental laws.
At a press conference at the U.S. Attorney’s Office on St. Thomas Thursday, Gov. Charles Turnbull was presented with the territory’s share of a $2.3 million restitution plan paid by HOVIC in 1996 in addition to a $3 million penalty. The $1 million will be used at the territory’s two landfills and to develop a used-oil management program, Turnbull said.
"This will go a long way to assist the territory to address the less than satisfactory landfills," Turnbull said.
In 1996, HOVIC admitted to illegally shipping more than 300 tons of benzene-tainted waste to an Arizona cement factory in containers marked as "non-hazardous." Federal officials said that between Dec. 11, 1991 and Feb. 9, 1992, employees knowingly shipped approximately 1,400, 55-gallon drums containing spent refinery catalyst that exceeded the federal limits for benzene.
U.S. Attorney James Hurd Jr. said the reason why the government hadn’t received its portion of the fine sooner was because Turnbull’s predecessor never submitted a plan that explained how the money would be used. Hurd said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviewed the current administration’s plan and then it was accepted by the District Court judge overseeing the case.
According to Department of Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson, the money will be used to remove hazardous waste material and conduct groundwater monitoring at the Bovoni and Anguilla landfills. He added that the proceeds of the fine will also help the department operate its used-oil collection program, which receives approximately 3,000 gallons of used oil each month from island residents.
"This money will help us add to and improve our collection centers and testing," Thompson said.
The EPA has mandated that the government implement a comprehensive solid waste management program to address the problems at the landfills. Over the last decade the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas has had reoccurring methane gas fires, and neighbors have complained of various ailments caused by heavy smoke. There also is concern that runoff from the landfill is harming an adjacent lagoon that is home to one of the territory’s last mangrove forests, which also serves as a breeding ground for a variety of marine life.
On St. Croix, the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the government to shut down the Anguilla dump by December 2001 because birds attracted to the site pose a hazard to aircraft at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
"With the case we just solved here, we’ll jump-start further environmental projects like the landfills," said Carl-Axel Soderberg, EPA director of the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division.
The State of Arizona received $1 million from the fine, while Texas was granted $300,000.

When STARfest V took to the Reichhold Center for the Arts stage last May, the crew of the Digital Video Institute based at the center was hard at work recording the sights and sounds from start to finish.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, they'll show the recording on the theater's big cinema-size screen. The public's invited, and admission is free.
Begun and directed annually by Reichhold director David Edgecombe, the annual local talent revue reached its pinnacle of production professionalism this year, with elaborate staging, lighting, choreography and back-screen image projection. But after three nights of performances, it was history.
Except it's not. Now, thanks to DVI, those who saw it and would love to see it again can do so, and those who missed it have another opportunity to see it after all.
The performers: vocalists Divina Nicole Muse Hart, Clarence Husband Jr., Switcha Kyat, Dwight "Bruniyah" Bruney, JoAnne "Jazzy JoJo" Saunders, Shadee Thomas, Jamila Connor and Jose "Robbie" Encarnacion; rapper Alford "Watambo" Richards Jr.; dancer Princess Penn; vocal ensembles Klymax and Ethnique; V.I. Institute of Performing Arts dancers and perennial master of ceremonies Robert Luke.
Curtain time is 7 p.m. and admission's free. To learn more, call 693-1559.

The Committee to Save Our Culture is sponsoring the first "Caribbean Unity Cultural Fair" today from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Emancipation Garden.
Native arts, crafts, music, storytelling and food and drink will be featured. Participants will include groups representing Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Montserrat, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the afternoon, artisans will demonstrate such traditional skills as making brooms, weaving fishnets and blending local seasonings. There'll be music by Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights and quadrille dancing by several groups.

The Committee to Revive Our Culture is spoonsoring the Caribbeean Unity Cultural Day at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, in the Emancipation Garden.
This celebraation will showcasse the culinary favorites, theatrical and musical talents and arts and crafts of the Caaribbean Islands represented in the Virgin Islands.
It will be a day for the entire family to sample a taste of Caribbean culture.
For further information contact the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative at 777-1153.

The Destination Downtown Committee of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce presents "Art in the Alleys/Dancing in the Streets" this afternoon and evening in downtown Charlotte Amalie. There will be music from noon, with arts and crafts vendors setting up by 4 p.m., stores staying open until 9 p.m. and music after dark for dancing.
The action takes place on Main Street, on the waterfront and in all the alleys and streets in between, from Emancipation Garden to Market Square. For more information, see Arts/Entertainment/Things to do, or call 776-0100.

"Just Desserts," an annual opportunity to sample the tastiest sweet treats local chefs and bakers have to offer and support Family Resource Center at the same time, takes place this evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Cafe Amici.
For the admission price of $15, guests will be able to nibble their way through more than two dozen desserts served up in mini-portions. There will be a silent auction of others to take home, a chance to vote for your favorites and a cash bar. Call 776-3966 to learn more.

The St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce presents the second and final day of its first Business Exposition since Hurricane Marilyn, in the ballroom and on the grounds of the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. More than 50 local businesses covering a broad spectrum of goods and services will be represented. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. To learn more, check out the story under Business/St. Thomas or call 776-0100.

The St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce presents its first Business Exposition since Hurricane Marilyn, in the ballroom and on the grounds of the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. More than 50 local businesses covering a broad spectrum of goods and services will be represented. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. To learn more, check out the story under Business/St. Thomas or call 776-0100.

The Digital Video Institute at the Reichhold Center for the Arts will be showing — on the theater's big cinema-size screen — its recording of last May's STARfest V talent show. If you missed the show, of it you'd like to see it again, here's your chance. Admission's free. To learn more, call 693-1559.

The St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce hosts a "Business After Hours" this evening that is a walk-about for participants to get to know what's going on in the Synagogue Hill neighborhood. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., guests will be welcomed by members of the Synagogue Hill Neighborhood Ad Hoc Committee — Atlantique, The Bornn Handy Law Firm, Caribbean Safari, China Embroidery Arts, Crystal Gade Gallery, Crystal Palace Bed & Breakfast, Cuzzin's, Left Lane Productions, Pita Express, Seslie Securities, Smith's Fancy and Walter's Living Room/Club 3. Start your tour by signing in at the registration desk at the corner of Back Street and Raadets Gade.