May 16, 2002 – The territory's Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program has gotten the official stamp of approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program began in 1992 under the auspices of the Planning and Natural Resources Department's Coastal Zone Management Committee.
"It is well noted that the last three years has seen an upgrade of the Virgin Islands' nonpoint source pollution program," said Jim Casey, who heads EPA activities in the Virgin Islands. Casey made his remarks Thursday at the opening ceremony of the territory's Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference at the Westin Resort on St. John.
Federal and local government officials gathered Wednesday at Government House for a ceremony marking the occasion. PNR Commissioner Dean Plaskett could not be reached for further comment.
The territory is the 10th of 33 states and territories with such programs to receive NOAA and EPA approval. The designation will garner the territory $150,000 more a year in federal funds to implement the pollution control program.
The program seeks to find ways to deal with the territory's nonpoint source pollution, including requiring silt fencing at construction sites and tighter septic tank regulations. The term "nonpoint source pollution" refers to pollution that comes from many different, widespread sources. It results, for example, from rainwater picking up pollutants as it moves over and through the ground.
The pollutants can come from sediment, oil, grease, heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that collect on road surfaces, parking lots and other cleared areas. Additionally, they can come from excess fertilizers and pesticides used in landscaping, gardening and farming, as well as from bacteria and nutrients from animal waste, faulty septic systems and sewage discharge from boats.
The sediment smothers coral reefs and spawning areas, blocks sunlight that aquatic plants and corals need to grow, and reduces visibility in the water for fish and humans.
Nutrients from fertilizer, manure runoff and leaking septic systems increase algae growth in salt ponds and coastal waters. The algae prevent the sunlight from reaching aquatic plants. When the algae die and decompose, they use up oxygen needed by other fish, plants and organisms.
Bacteria and other harmful organisms can cause typhoid fever, gastrointestinal infections and infectious hepatitis. When coastal waters are contaminated by such pollutants, they become unfit for human use. Failing septic systems also can contaminate ground water.
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