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 $1,000.000 grant awarded through the National Coastal Zone Management Program to the Territory of the US Virgin Islands:
“Today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing a $1,000,000 grant through the National Coastal Zone Management Program to the Territory of the US Virgin Islands to help administer the territories federally approved coastal management program. The National Coastal Zone Management Program, under the Coastal Zone Management Act, is an important voluntary federal-state partnership that protects, restores, and responsibly develops our nation's coastal communities and resources by balancing economic development, coastal uses, and natural resource protection.
“NOAA's investment of over $1,000,000 is leveraging over $800,000 in territory and local funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the territory of the US Virgin Islands coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the territory including coastal hazards and climate change, habitat protection, habitat restoration, watershed management, water quality, coastal community development, shoreline and harbor management, dredging and public access. As an example the US Virgin Islands were heavily impacted by the hurricanes of 2017 the territory will use the funds to help in the development of a multi-hazard vulnerability index and for looking at cumulative sediment impacts. The territory will also use the funds to continue the development of marine use plans for the territory.
“This 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 help in the reestablishment of our islands. The grant award is a vital component of that concern.”
