USVI-On-Line

So what is this press release all about - a little pro-spin on the situation?

Government Officials Act to Ensure Timely Completion of Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project

~ Initiative will facilitate access for new generation of cruise ships; improve water quality at Lindbergh Bay and ensure long-term economic stability for the Territory ~

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, April 5, 2009 - Delegates from the Virgin Islands Port Authority and West Indian Company Ltd., in continued collaboration through the Ports of Charlotte Amalie Economic Development Group, are working this week to proceed with plans to begin the Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project. The six-month project is scheduled to begin next month, and is expected to benefit the Territory in the following ways:

* Facilitate the arrival of a new generation of cruise ships to St. Thomas
* Enhance water quality and restore the natural coastline of Lindbergh Bay
* Secure long-term tourism revenue and economic stability of the Territory

Ensuring the Territory Remains Competitive

The Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project is designed to accommodate the 40 foot draft (required depth) of the latest generation of cruise ships, known as Genesis class vessels, which carry approximately 5,400 passengers and measure 180ft (360m) in length, 154ft (47m) in width (beam) and stand tall at 240ft (65m) above water level.

The first Genesis class vessel will be introduced to the region later this year with additional Genesis class vessels expected to come on line in 2010. Based on current production, it is estimated that larger ships, such as Genesis class vessels, will represent the majority of total cruise capacity in the region within five years.

The Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project will pave the way for St. Thomas to accommodate the larger vessels and ensure that the Territory remains competitive in the industry for years to come. By accommodating the larger ships, St. Thomas is also able to counter recent trends in the cruise industry that threaten to erode business for the Territory. These include increased popularity of Western Caribbean ports, greater interest in Mediterranean itineraries and a growing desire by cruise lines to avoid U.S. ports due to border protection policies and increases in the overall number of cruise guests that are not U.S. citizens.

Based on ongoing discussions between the Charlotte Amalie Economic Development Group and the Territory's cruise partners, the strategic decision to dredge Charlotte Amalie harbor is a necessary action to maintain and grow cruise arrivals year-over-year.

Environmental Benefits to Lindbergh Bay

The Charlotte Amalie harbor dredging project is expected to generate about 175,000 cubic yards of excavated sand and seafloor material. To ensure the safest and most responsible relocation of the excavated material, the Government has worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local environmental experts to determine the best options for relocating the excavated land.

Following months of research and evaluation, the delegates found that depositing the materials into a historic dredge hole at Lindbergh Bay, created by the 1935 airport expansion, would have largely positive long-term environmental effects, while also enabling the project to be completed on schedule.

In accordance with EPA standards, any relocated material must meet the EPA criteria for the disposal of dredge sediment in U.S. waters. Sediments which are deemed "toxic" or exceed EPA criteria for disposal in U.S. waters will not be relocated to the selected site. Sediment samples have been taken of the seafloor material in both locations to ensure the two sites are chemically similar.

Environmentalists have also determined that filling this dredge hole at Lindbergh Bay with the material excavated from the Charlotte Amalie Harbor project will improve the water quality of Lindbergh Bay in the long-run, thus improving conditions for many maritime activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. This will also improve the quality of the ecosystem by partially restoring the seafloor to its original depths.

During the evaluation process, the group weighed several additional locations and concluded there is not an alternative site on St. Thomas that can safely accommodate the large volume of excess material, and also found that that relocation to designated ocean deposit sites near Puerto Rico would add significant cost and delay completion of the project.

Economic Impact for the Territory

In anticipation of the completed project, the Territory has already received commitments for the first Genesis class vessel to visit St. Thomas later this year. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is scheduled to call weekly in Charlotte Amalie commencing December 8, 2009.

Current estimates predict more than $30 million in additional revenue for the Territory as a result of Genesis class visits during the first five months alone. Long-term, Genesis class calls are expected to benefit the local economy by stimulating additional demand for retail, attractions and transportation services.

In order to accommodate the first Oasis of the Seas visit in December and for the Territory to be considered for future Genesis class visits, the project must be completed no later than November 2009. Any delay in the completion of the project would jeopardize long-term cruise revenue for the Territory as well as a significant number of tourism-related jobs.

"This project will improve our local economy by dramatically boosting tourism in a relatively short period of time and will enable our destination to remain competitive as a premier Eastern Caribbean port of call." said Edward Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Indian Company Ltd. "Unnecessary delay or late completion of the project will result in a lasting negative economic impact on the Territory through lost cruise commitments to other ports in the region."

The issue really is about the dumping of the dredged material in Lindbergh Bay - the bay which hosts Emerald Beach,Island Beachcomber and Carib Beach Hotels.
The harbor bottom that will be the source of the dumped dredging materials is really not the kind of fill that should be dumped off a swimming beach like Lindbergh Bay - it has a lot of accumulated material that if it is not 'toxic' is certainly not compatible with the seafloor there.
The ' hole' they created years ago is slowly repairing itself naturally and really not in need of filling.
The turbidity and ecosystem of Lindbergh Bay will be dramatically affected should this amount of tonnage of dredged material be introduced.
The harbor dredging doesn't seem to be the issue but the dump site is considered inappropriate by many people and hopefully can be changed - it is a poor choice as a repository of harbor dregs!

Why did they pick that spot to dump? Just because it is close? Couldn't the dredged material be carted further out in the sea or ocean?

I read an article that was one of many sites studied. The sites ranged all the way from off Jacksonville, FL to open ocean to near PR and then around STT. Lindbergh was the most economical and sea floor composition matched it the closest.

Not agreeing with the "experts" just saying thats what I had read somewhere.

I would agree they are going to find some "stuff" down there when they dredge that. Anything in regards from todays waste to a couple hundred years ago. I have heard from locals that there is still pirate reminants from when enemy ships would be sunk if they came into harbor.

The hundreds of shipwrecks of the 18th and 19th centuries (hurricanes and tsunamis sent many more to the bottom than pirates) probably didn't contribute too many toxins to the harbor, but the 20th century is another story. Like many islands, St. Thomas blithely dumped all their trash and sewage into the harbor, up through the 1950's, and quantities of both were still very obviously going in in the 1970's . Cars, boat engines, batteries galore, electronics...copper, lead. cadmium, arsenic. THe mind boggles.
This press release is terrifying in its blatant and lame attempt to manipulate the ignorant.
"Environmentalists" have determined that it will improve the water quality?
HUH?

The spot was picked because they feel that the ' hole' that was created years ago to provide fill for the airport " needs " to be filled. Also it is close by - sort of the old take it around the corner and dump it practice and financially cheaper than farther away. I just came back from swimming and snorkeling a fair amount of that bay, around what I think is the location they mention, the water was clear with at least 35' visibility everywhere - there is a lot of sealife, not a tremendous variety but healthy grasses, corals, and anemones. Starfish and turtles, conch, stingrays and schools of fish were present in and around the depression they want to fill, and if that is not the actual place it would be tremendously impacted by dumping anywhere close. Really after about an hour of firsthand observation I definitely doubt that dumping harbor dregs there is any kind of solution and certainly not a needed' improvement'.

The Coastal Zone Management permit for this project has its hearing tonight 4/7 - any interested people on island??
The overwhelming response to the Mandahl Salt Pond project a few weeks ago shows that if enough reasons exist and support is shown for change it is possible for the CZM to make sensitive decisions.
It seems the main thrust of the Port Authority is the delay it will cause to the dredging project if another site needs to be found.

Although Anthony asked this already - can the material be dumped further south in the open ocean. I understand that is too far away to transport it to Puerto Rico. What about drop 7 miles south of the island?

The second question - did anyone researched an impact of larger ship's visits to a local traffic? If they going to double number of visitors - how will all these people get around?

Wish I could attend the hearing... If you get enough concerned voice maybe something can be done about changing dumping location.

I agree with you 100% hugo. I was just stating the wide array of crap they are going to pull up and then dump it somewhere else. Wonder if they are going to sift through it to remove the waste?

Any dates being mentioned for the start of the project...other than next month, or is this on island time and they'll start when they start???