Environment

DPNR/EPA Seeks Public Comment on Air Quality Surveillance System

DPNR/ Division of Environmental Protection - June 1, 2023

The review may be seen at any of the district offices at: 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00840 or 4607 Tutu Park Mall St. Thomas VI 00802 or on the department’s website

EPA Availability of $12M Through ‘Investing in America Agenda’ for Brownfields Job Training Grants

Brownfields Job Training Grants / EPA - June 1, 2023

“EPA’s Brownfields Program invests in communities, turning brownfield sites into new hubs of economic growth and creating new, good-paying jobs in communities where workers live”

EPA Allocates $309,000 for Water Quality Monitoring to Protect Swimmers’ Health

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett - May 27, 2023

The $309,000 grant is to support water quality monitoring at beaches to protect swimmers’ health in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

DPNR Congratulates Staff Scientists on Publications

DPNR -- Division of Fish and Wildlife - May 20, 2023

The Division of Fish and Wildlife collaborates widely with agencies and research institutions to provide information on how to conserve, protect and restore ecosystems. These investigations represent high quality information on our ecosystems, animal populations and methods to investigate the natural world.

The Nature Conservancy’s Virgin Islands Program Receives Reef Restoration Grant

The Nature Conservancy - April 27, 2023

Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $14.3 million for projects across the U.S. Virgin Islands to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change, as part of the Investing in America agenda.

DPNR Staff Listed in National Scientific Journal Article on the Die-off of Long-spined Sea Urchins

V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources - April 25, 2023

Erin Bowman, NOAA Coral Fellow, and Matthew Warham, Coral Reef Initiative coordinator assisted with the study and are listed as contributing authors.

Beach Advisory for April 10-14

V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources - April 15, 2023

The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following.

UVI Performs Organic Waste Audit to Investigate Options to Reduce Food Waste in USVI 

The UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center - April 13, 2023

UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center is on a mission to reduce food waste in the U.S. Virgin Islands by evaluating the feasibility and methods for reducing organic materials in the waste stream.

Beach Advisory for March 27-30

V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources - April 7, 2023

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the territory by sampling for enterococci bacteria and turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following.

UVI Students Win Big at International Sea Turtle Symposium in Columbia

University of the Virgin Islands - April 6, 2023

Approximately 600 attendees participated in the conference, which had 80 student presentations. UVI’s students had an exceptional showing, winning three of the eight awards, an impressive feat for a single institution. 

USDA Announces Cooperative Agreements for Compost and Food Waste Reduction

U.S. Department of Agriculture - March 24, 2023

Eligible entities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are encouraged to apply by June 15.

USDA Seeking Applications to Expand Conservation Assistance to Underserved Producers

U.S. Department of Agriculture--Natural Resources Conservation Service - March 24, 2023

USDA-NRCS is offering up to $70 million in cooperative agreements with entities for two-year projects that encourage participation in NRCS programs, especially in underserved communities and among urban and small-scale producers.

VI Clean Coasts Expands Program to Support the Reduction of Environmental Footprints

Virgin Islands Conservation Society - March 23, 2023

The Virgin Islands Conservation Society, in partnership with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, is expanding the VI Clean Coasts program to include assistance for coastal businesses and organizations.

Beach Advisory for March 13-17

Department of Planning and Natural Resources - March 21, 2023

DPNR performed water quality analysis at 18 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of March 13 – March 17, 2023. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are considered safe for swimming and fishing.

Oriol Thanks Communities for Successful Town Halls on Land and Water Use Plan

V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources - March 20, 2023

To increase participation, two town hall meetings were held on each of the three main islands, one in the evening and one in the afternoon. Attendees broke into small groups and discussed whatever was important to protect, strengthen and invest in, or transform in their respective district or the territory as a whole.