Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and Environment released the following statement regarding a $1.8 million U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal grant for the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands associated with Hurricanes Maria and Irma:

“Today the U.S. Department 0f Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a $1.8 million grant to the U.S. Virgin Islands to aid with hurricane recovery efforts in the Virgin Islands. This grant will fund an initiative project. It proposes to implement the Office of Lt. Governor’s initiative of US Virgin Islands Benchmark Control Network Project, which will accomplish two main objectives.

“The first, to recover and replace existing NGS/USGS markers, as well as set new Reference Markers per specific national standards for public/private use. The second objective is the formal declaration by the Government of the US Virgin Islands of approved horizontal and vertical systems of global reference. The Government of the Virgin Islands Reference Markers (RM) will be placed at pre-determined points. These points will be primarily placed per a method of balance; producing overall accurate network that keeps in mind ease of use/access. In addition to the existing markers, these passive markers will provide for a comprehensive geodetic control network for USVI. They will be used to monument Estate Boundaries, USVI Points of Interest, and Highways/Roadways, as well as service for Ecological Observations, and any surveying, engineering, or GIS needs. Establishment of USVI Reference Markers (RM) will be accomplished via a tandem of Geodetic Surveying and Photogrammetry.

“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help recover and build back our islands.”