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The V.I. Department of Planning & Natural Resources has announced the next phase in the development of the Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan. The Plan aims to provide clear policy direction and strategies that will inform critical land and water use decisions within the Virgin Islands.
"As we transition into this crucial stage of the Plan, we're focusing on outlining policies that will serve the environmental, economic, and societal needs of our community," DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol stated. "We are eager to receive feedback from residents and business owners regarding these proposed policies. Their input is essential in shaping the final strategies of the Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan."
To gather this feedback, DPNR has organized a series of Town Hall meetings, starting from July 18 to July 20. The events are set to take place in St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Each meeting will commence with an Open House at 4:30 PM, followed by a Town Hall from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
"We are at a pivotal point in the project," Oriol further emphasized. "We need to hear from our community - are we headed in the right direction? Do we need to make adjustments? We encourage everyone to attend a Town Hall meeting or provide their comments online at www.PlanUSVI.com."
The agenda for each Town Hall will include a formal presentation, followed by a Q&A session. Attendees will also have the chance to review the proposed policy directions and working strategies alongside DPNR staff and the project consulting team.
Recognizing the volume of information to be presented, DPNR has arranged for early arrivals at 4:30 p.m., to allow attendees ample time to review and contemplate ideas. Furthermore, community members are encouraged to take home worksheets for completion and return them to the DPNR by August 6th.
Beyond the Town Hall meetings, feedback can still be submitted online from July 18th to August 6th via the project's website.
For additional information and to join the project's email list, interested individuals can visit www.planusvi.com. The website also features videos and summaries of previous Town Halls and a link to the project's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/planusvi. Light refreshments will be available at the meetings.
