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Save Salt River Bay

Alana33 · 2014-05-07T19:29:34Z

I received the following and thought that it may be of interest to those of you living in STX if you are not already aware of the goings on: "WOW!" "Thanks to all of your help, we are making progress in getting the word out about the issues and complications surrounding our beloved Salt River Bay and Bio Bay! To date, 621 petitioners have signed our online petition, and 16,767 petitions have been sent to the key stakeholders. And the radio spots last month boosted the awareness of the Save Salt River Bay website…that was a BIG help…in all, we’ve had over 3,000 visitors to the website taking interest in SRB! Thank you, thank you! As a result, we have received word from several senators (or their office) and it seems that we are making an impression and our arguments for relocating the MREC project site are being heard. But we have a long way to go! Despite what you may hear from the NPS about funding (or lack of), the MREC university partners have been actively fundraising on the island and will become more aggressive in their efforts over the summer. They have been working with Compass Point Advisers, LLC, a political lobbyist and government marketing agency. Despite our recommendations for viable alternative sites for the MREC project, word on the street is that the partners will NOT consider any of them unless we raise $10,000,000 and provide the site! What is more important…the marine research or the building and site? They are trying to raise $65,000,000 to build on Hemer’s Peninsula. We need to keep vigilant watch over the park and continue our efforts to be positive change agents for St Croix! This month, there will be two meetings on island which will be important for Salt River Bay. We ask that island residents PLEASE try to attend and be represented! In 2006, a public meeting to discuss 3 alternative sites for the proposed MREC project was poorly attended…only 24 people! This was later construed as public indifference to what happens at the Salt River Bay Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. Attendees expressed their opinions on the alternative sites and the majority voted AGAINST Hemer’s Peninsula near Judith’s Fancy; however, they did vote to have the remains of the demolished hotel removed so that the park could be restored to its natural conditions. We can’t let this type of poor public attendance be “churned” in the media as public acceptance of the current MREC location site. Please attend and spread the word…and continue to have friends and family members go online and sign the petition. Everyone’s voice is important! May’s upcoming events: MAY 8th - As part of the NPS monthly Thursday night lecture series, they will present new findings and current research within the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, with Dr. Josuha Torres and Mr. Jean Devera. We believe the program will take place Thursday May 8, 2014 from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Danish Guinea West India Company Warehouse/ Slave Market Building. The Christiansted National Historic Site parking lot will be ‘free’ and open for this event until 7PM. Please contact Isander Rodriguez of the NPS for more information at (340) 773-1460 ext. 250. MAY 24th – A Bioluminescence Symposium will be presented by SEA and the NPS to discuss their findings on this rare phenomenon and what should be done to continue to study and protect our own Bio Bay. Dr. Michael Latz, Ph. D, principal investigator of SEA’s study, and Dr. Melissa Carter of Scripps’ Coastal Phytoplankton Group, will be presenting. Sadly, the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico went dark several weeks ago and this has caused much concern to residents and tourists alike! It has created financial hardships to the tourist businesses there and we want to insure that a similar occurrence does not happen in St Croix! We look forward to learning more about these magnificent creatures and how to protect them. More details on time and place will be sent closer to the date. What’s happening around the park itself? Last month, the NPS was continuing their “Exotic Plant Management Program” at Salt River Bay. The treatments were part of a scheduled spraying and an effort to reduce non-native and invasive plants; however, spraying toxic herbicides in the park, particularly close to the mangrove trees and shrubs surrounding Bio Bay was not responsible management. More consideration and thought should’ve been used to assess the possible harmful effects to the bioluminescence and marine life due to the large amount of rain we have been having and the runoff. They sprayed GLYPHOSATE on the guinea grass which has a half-life of 47 days which can bond with the soil and remain for over six months. The Tan-Tan stumps were being treated with what looks like GARLON (Triclopyr), which is known to be dangerous to aquatic creatures including fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants. This week, they have posted signs with lists of things prohibited in Salt River Bay, for in...

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CruzanIron

(@cruzaniron)

Posts: 2535

Famed Member

Given the projections of global warming, the better portion of those wetlands will be underwater within our lifetime

It seems pretty pointless to worry about this when it will be under water in a few years.

It's time to move this thread somewhere else.

Posted : May 13, 2014 3:34 pm

stt007

(@stt007)

Posts: 475

Reputable Member

Aham, excellent post. Thanks.

I stand corrected. It was Mr Devera that made the whiner comment. I was there and I heard it. I stand by my comment regarding their attitude.

Posted : May 13, 2014 3:57 pm

MGW

(@MGW)

Posts: 54

Trusted Member

vicanuck [ PM ]
Re: Save Salt River Bay new
May 13, 2014 08:01AM Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 710

"Preserve" doesn't necessarily mean absolutely no development in my opinion.

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Time to take another look at the definition of "Preserve"

From the Cambridge Online Dictionaries;

English definition of “preserve”

preserve - verb [T]

To keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed:

Oxford Online Dictionary:
preserve - verb

Maintain (something) in its original or existing state

Merriam Webster Online Dictionary:

preserve - verb

: to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition

: to keep (something) safe from harm or loss

Posted : May 14, 2014 1:56 am

vicanuck

(@vicanuck)

Posts: 2937

Famed Member

Thanks for sharing the definition of preserve. I believe the MREC will help keep the area "in good condition" and also "keep safe from harm or loss". Its just my opinion. I'm pro development.

Posted : May 14, 2014 12:06 pm

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