July 17, 2007 — The St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) is ready to contest a decision by the Coastal Zone Management Committee (CZM) in May that denied its application to develop a 100-acre coastal reserve.
SEA has filed an appeal with the Board of Land Use Appeals, according to a news release issued Monday. Now the board has 60 days to set a hearing date, said SEA's executive director, Carol Cramer-Burke. SEA is contesting a recent CZM decision that denied the organization a permit to move forward with its plans to develop the Southgate Coastal Reserve near Southgate pond on the east end of St. Croix.
During the May hearing, CZM board members voiced concerns about maintaining public access to the area slated for the reserve. (See “CZM Denies Development Proposal from Environmental Association.”)
Then, in a letter dated June 5, CZM committee chairman Tyrone Seales, speaking on behalf of the board, informed SEA its CZM application was denied. The committee determined that the development "is inconsistent with the Virgin Islands CZM program,” including the "basic goals, policies and standards" provided in sections of the V.I. code, according to the letter.
The section of the V.I. code referred to in the letter deals with amenity policies, or unlimited public access to the beach, Burke said Tuesday. She debunked CZM's claim that the development would limit public access to the beach.
"We are going to enhance and improve the public's access to this site," Cramer-Burke said.
According to the news release, "SEA disagrees with that determination and believes the CZM commission failed to sufficiently take into account aspects of the law requiring maximum protection of environmental resources and public safety. SEA will exercise its right to argue the merits of the Southgate project — and CZM’s interpretation of the law — at the Board of Land Use Appeals."
The release explained the scope of the project: "The proposed development would create an environmental-education facility, interpretive center, bird blinds and trails, parking and associated infrastructure. These facilities will become a place where local students can experience and study the salt pond, wetlands, marine and upland habitats associated with the reserve, and will also be available for graduate and post-graduate groups from off-island."
One issue raised by CZM was the location of the parking lot, Cramer-Burke said. CZM said the parking space proposed by SEA was prohibitive because it was too far from the beach to allow easy access for people carrying coolers or other supplies for a day at the beach. SEA's position is that parking needs to be at least 605 feet from the beach so any petrochemicals that may leak from vehicles do not affect the environment. The proposed parking lot would be lighted and equipped with security cameras, Cramer-Burke said.
SEA also proposes enclosing the property with fencing and a gate. This was another area of concern for CZM. Because of nesting turtles and other rare species, vehicular traffic should be restricted on the beach, Cramer-Burke said. However, this would not prevent residents through the fenced area to drop off beach equipment or allow for emergency-vehicle access, she said.
The SEA release further addressed the environmental value of the property, saying the salt pond and wetland are used by resident and migratory birds, including several endangered species. The beach is also used by three species of turtles as a nesting ground. Walking trails and bird blinds will make more of the site accessible and attractive as a nature-tourism destination. Other amenities planned for the 102-acre site include public parking and an all-weather trail to the beach.
"SEA’s project will make the beach and other habitats around the pond accessible to everyone at all times of the year,” said SEA Chairman Donald Diddams. “We view this as an important community project and an educational resource we will be opening up to the public."
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