Health

All St. Croix Beaches Safe, But D.P.N.R. Did Not Test Waters In St. Thomas-St. John District

ST. CROIX -- The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said on Friday that it did not test beaches in the St. Thomas-St. John district this week because its staff there attended an off-island beach program conference. In St. Croix, however, all beaches were declared safe: Stoney Ground, Protestant Cay, Buccaneer, Cramer Park, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta), Dorsch, Frederiksted Public Beach, Pelican Cove (Comorant), Shoy’s, Rainbow, Cane Bay, Chenay Bay, Princess (Condo Row), A – Mill Harbour, Halfpenny, Princess (Condo Row) and B – Breezez Grapetree Bay. High levels of enterococci bacteria and turbidity may be caused by runoff due to heavy rains, heavy marine vessel traffic, high wave activity near the shoreline, irresponsible recreational use, etc. Runoff can consist of sediment, pesticides, animal feces and oil & grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory, says DPNR. The department, led by Commissioner Dawn L. Henry, says it will continue to monitor these ...