USVI-On-Line

As you all may or may not know, the Omnibus Bill that Obama signed on March 11th, included $2.25 Million for the "Acquisition of Maho Bay by the VINP".

Does anyone have any idea what this funding was approved to purchase exactly on Maho Bay? Was it to purchase the remaining Marsh heir's tract? If so, I thought the 13.8 acres was for sale with Islandia for $28.8 Million.

Am I correct in assuming that the 13.8 acre tract that is for sale is the remaining Marsh heir's tract?

A lot of questions here I know, but this is a subject that is near and dear to all of us and we need to follow it closely.

It was for the Pres' new vacation home.

LOL Dave! I'm sure Oprah will be visiting!

I agree with you, Russ, about the fact that there are a lot of unanswered questions about the Maho property. I believe all the facts that you have stated are correct and the numbers DON"T ADD UP, do they?? I'm sure we'll find out more in time.

You are right that many of us are very concerned that this land will be added to the national park and not fall into the hands of developers. There's been enough development on STJ. I hope we don't have to see more 'scars' upon our beautiful island.

The 13.8 acre tract is the Little Maho Campground property that Stanley Selengut has been leasing since the 1970's. If the money appropriated is ear-marked for that acquisition, it is not intended to pay all of it, it is mere as much as they could get approval on, and TPL will have to do aggressive fund raising. As I remarked on a previous thread, fair market value is certainly closer to 15 million than 30 million today.

hugo wrote:The 13.8 acre tract is the Little Maho Campground property that Stanley Selengut has been leasing since the 1970's. If the money appropriated is ear-marked for that acquisition, it is not intended to pay all of it, it is mere as much as they could get approval on, and TPL will have to do aggressive fund raising. As I remarked on a previous thread, fair market value is certainly closer to 15 million than 30 million today.

I read that previous post Hugo. Hugo can always be counted on for good info. I am reposting this issue in hopes of learning more. I am trying to put together a consortium of people who care about this issue to help me with my research. I have purchased savemaho.org. Once I have enough information to move forward, I will design the site, set up an NPO and attempt to raise money to either donate to the TPL or the VINP for the purpose of subsidizing whatever this $2.25 million was intended for. I have lots of experience raising money and I have good resources for philanthropic people with means. I know this goal is lofty, but if something happens to Maho that we all don't want (resort, housing development, etc) I want to at least say I gave it a shot. Can anyone commit to helping me with my research? If so, please post here or PM me and we can start the process. Thanks guys.

I sent an email to Donna Christensen, our rep in Congress yesterday. I asked about the earmarked money and the plans for it. Assuming I get a response I will post it here.

Jay

http://www.donnachristensen.house.gov/

captainjay wrote:I sent an email to Donna Christensen, our rep in Congress yesterday. I asked about the earmarked money and the plans for it. Assuming I get a response I will post it here.

Jay

http://www.donnachristensen.house.gov/

Thanks Jay

As it turns out, the 2.5 million earmark IS a reimbursement to the Trust for Public Land, for part of the conservation loan they obtained to finance the Big Maho purchase from the Marsh family heirs. TPL spent about 19 million on that, gaining almost 200 acres in the process ( More than 400 acres in the estate, but the NPS and TPL already had 5/11, undivided;and a 1/11 share remains private). Definitely makes the Maho campground look overpriced!

Thanks Hugo. I talked to Mr. Garrison today at the TPL. That guy is inspiring. He basically told me what you just said which was that the $2.25 Million was a loan to purchase the Estate Maho 400 acre tract from the TPL. The $2.25 Million is essentially a down payment on a $9 Million dollar price tag for which the VINP agreed to buy the land from the TPL. The plan is for the US Govt to kick in another $4.5 Million next year and $2.25 Million for 2011. The last 2 payments in this plan have not yet been approved by congress. That's why the $2.25 Million was called a loan. This plan is set to go before the house appropriations committee sometime this year. Keep in mind that the TPL spent over $18 Million and several years of hard work acquiring this tract. This appears to be their style. They purchase land for conservation and make creative deals to get it into the right hands. They are my kind of people- dealmakers...they make the world go round.

Thank you Russ and Hugo for shedding some light on this confusing situation.
- Ruth

So who actually owns the land the campground is on? I wonder if Stanley made them an offer? I know more questions, but that land still needs protection from development...

Absolutely! I purchased savemaho.org. and I am setting up a NPO over the next couple of weeks. I will be raising money for the purchase of this tract or at least to hopefully subsidize the TPL in any deal they make with the land owner. Of course, we still have the obstacle of the land owner's outrageous asking price, but we have to move forward with attempting to raise money. It's time to get serious about this issue. Look for the site to be up by early April. Any help would be much appreciated. We have to protect this tract. It has to end up with the VINP. I'm not sure if Stanley has the money to buy the land. Even if he did, the asking price is about 5 times what it is worth. Stanley's camp is essentially a break-even operation, so purely from an economic standpoint, the numbers don't add up with the crazy price. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we would love for Stanley to buy this tract. However, this may cause a problem because we have to face the question of what happens after Stanley passes on? What would his heirs do with the tract? One ideal scenario would be if Stanley bought the tract and left it in his will to the VINP or the TPL.

I would think a deal similar to Caneels would be a better fit. The land deaded to the NPS with a long term lease to Maho Camps. No major changes to property no increase in the number of beds and a lease payment based on fair market value for the revenue possible given the restrictions on the property. In other words keep it the way it is as long as it is viable then return it to the park.
Jay

Jay, I completely agree. I should've been more clear. I think any plan to save Maho should include leaving the campgrounds with a long term lease from the VINP.