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V.I. NPS Update

UVI-CES began publication of V.I. NPS Update, the newsletter of the V.I. Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Committee, in December 1997. The newsletter is an education tool intended to increase awareness within the Virgin Islands' community of Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution, it's adverse effects, and how to control it. It is our belief that education is the easiest and most cost-effective way to attain compliance with recommended NPS control practices. Increased awareness and the ensuing change in behaviors and practices by both industry and homeowners will result in improved water quality throughout the Virgin Islands.

To date, 24 issues of this quarterly newsletter have been printed with funding from the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resource's Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program (§319 grant) to inform the public about Virgin Islands NPS Pollution Committee projects funded by U.S. EPA §319 grant monies, other NPS pollution control/prevention projects on-going in the Territory, and to provide information and material regarding the control/prevention of NPS Pollution.

Ordering & Submission Information:

Adobe Acrobat versions of back issues of the newsletter may be downloaded below. Click the Adobe button to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print our publications. To submit articles, event announcements or other information to the newsletter, or to order hard copies of V.I. NPS Update, please contact Ms. Julie Wright, Extension Program Supervisor, UVI Cooperative Extension Service, at (340) 693-1080, Fax: (340) 693-1085 or jwright@uvi.edu.

Issue 32 (Vol. 8, No. 4) January 2007, Contents:

DPNR Requests Proposals for Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Grants; St. Croix Environmental Information Repository to Receive Historic V.I. Environmental Records; VI RC&D Hosts Project Design & Evaluation Short Course
: U.S. Coral Reef Task ForceMeets in St. Thomas

: EPA Seeks Nominations for 2007 Environmental Quality Awards; EPA Awards Beach Water Quality Monitoring Funds to DPNR; New Research Analyst On Board at UVI-VIMAS; UVI Launches New Marine & Environmental Science Master Program

Issue 31 (Vol. 8, No. 3) October 2006, Contents:

We Got the Trash Out of the Splash!

St. Croix Environmental Information Repository Unveiled

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meets in St. Thomas

VIRC&D Sends 9 VI Students to Conservation Summer Camp

Draft Framework for Marine Protected Area Development Released

Issue 30 (Vol. 8, No. 2) July 2006, Contents:

Congratulations to VI Environmental Quality Award Recipients

2nd Annual GIS Conference: Technical Applications for Coastal Protection

USDA-NRCS, VIRC&D Host Area-Wide Conservation Planning Training

Chemical Releases to USVI’s Air & Water Drop Drastically

DPNR-CZM to Host Watershed Planning Workshop

Issue 29 (Vol. 8, No. 1) April 2006, Contents:

DPNR Launches TMDL Implementation

DPNR Technical Staff Get to Know BASINS

DPNR-CZM and UVI-VIMAS to Conduct NPS Survey

UVI Publishes Plant and Marine Field Guide

USDA-NRCS' Area-Wide Conservation Planning Training Postponed to May

USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area Announces Conservation Innovation Grant Availability

EPA Settles Federal UST Rules Violations at 7 Texaco Gas Stations in the VI

Issue 28 (Vol. 7, No. 4) January 2006, Contents:

Estate Bethlehem Retention Pond Unveiled

DPNR Sponsors NPS Pollution Conservation Schools

9th VI Nonpoint Source Conference a Success!

VI RC&D to Host Grant Writing Training

DPNR-CZM Holds Student Oceans Conference

USDA-NRCS to Sponsor Area Wide Conservation Planning Training

EPA Seeks Environmental Quality Award Nominations

Issue 27 (Vol. 7, No. 3) October 2005, Contents:

The V.I. Celebrates Coastweeks!

What is a TMDL?

USDA Regional Water Quality Program

EPA Cites Christiansted Cleaner for Hazardous Waste Violations

EPA & VIWMA Agree to Anguilla Landfill Scrap Area Cleanup

Issue 26 (Vol. 7, No. 2) - July 2005, Contents:

NPS Committee Annual Meeting

St. Croix Environmental Information Now Being Collected

9th VI NPS Conference Call for Papers Deadline Approaching Fast!

CZM Hosts Environmental Enforcement Training

EPA Awards Environmental Achievers in the USVI

USDA Farm Service Agency Accepting County Committee Nominations from St. John

EPA Funding Protects Beach- Goers in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Issue 25 (Vol. 7, No. 1) - April 2005, Contents:: 9th VI Nonpoint Source Conference Postponed Until November 2005

Issue 24 (Vol. 6, No. 4) - January 2004, Contents:

8th VI NPS Conference Draws A Crowd!

Combating St. Croix Marine Debris: CoastWeeks 2004

USVI Wetlands Program

DPNR Sponsors High School Environmental Clubs

DPNR Unveils New Underground Storage Tank Program Initiatives

Issue 23 (Vol. 6, No. 3) - October 2003, Contents:

UVI-VIMAS is Getting the NPS Message Out

UVI-CES Helps Residents Understand Their Septic Systems

DPNR-CZM Wins NOAA Award

EPA Releases Virgin Islands Annual Report on Pollution Releases to Air, Water and Land

October is National Home Indoor Air Quality & Children’s Health Month

St. Thomas Youth Celebrate CoastWeeks!

Issue 22 (Vol. 6, No. 2) - June/July 2003, Contents:

UVI-CMES Evaluating St. Croix Reef Sedimentation

Plan Now to Participate in the 8th VI NPS Conference

DPNR-DEP Announces New 319 Grant Projects

Six VI Students Attend 42nd Natural Resources Conservation Workshop

UVI-CES Trains Property-Owners on Construction Planning

IRF, VI Residents Receive EPA Environmental Quality Awards

Issue 21 (Vol. 6, No. 1) - April 2003, Contents:

CES & CZM Train Local Regulators & Designers on Sediment & Erosion Control Plans

EPA Septic Symposium Addresses Issues in NJ, NY, PR & VI

Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Act Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary!

Fish Bay Road Stabilization Plan Nears Completion

Issue 20 (Vol. 5, No. 4) - January 2003, Contents:

NPS Committee Holds 2nd Annual Meeting on St. Croix

UVI-CES Conducts Roadside Maintenance Training for St. Thomas DPW Contractors

UVI-ECC Studies Sediment and Reefs in the Coral Bay APC

UVI-CES & DPNR to Host Stormwater Pollution Prevention Training

V.I. Agriculture - Collaborate, Cultivate & Celebrate

Issue 19 (Vol. 5, No. 3) - October 2002, Contents:

Coast Weeks 2002 Kicks Off!

DPNR's Environmental Protection Handbook Now Available Online

Fish Bay Comprehensive Road Stabilization Plan Under Development

St. Croix Youth Help to Restore Mangroves

Mulch Your Garden & Landscape to Conserve Soil & Water

Nonpoint Source Project Grants Available from DPNR

Support Agriculture - Eat What You Grow

Issue 18 (Vol. 5, No. 2) - June/July 2002, Contents:

7th Annual V.I. Nonpoint Source Conference: Conservation & Can Co-Exist

2002 Revised Environmental Protection Handbook Now Available!

Feds Approve Virgin Islands Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program

Historic Caribbean Foresters' Meeting Held in St. Thomas

EPA Celebrates 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act

New VI*A*Syst Publications Available from UVI-CES

Issue 17 (Vol. 5, No. 1) - March 2002, Contents:

NPS Committee Holds First Annual Meeting

The Westin St. John Resort to Host 7th Annual V.I. Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference

Researches Measure Erosion Rates on St. John Dirt Roads

Nonpoint Source Pollution Education for Virgin Islands' Youth

Call UVI-CES for FREE Home Water Quality Test Kits!

Issue 16 (Vol. 4, No. 4) - December 2001/January 2002, Contents:

DPNR Develops New Septic System Rules & Regulations

UVI Partners with DPNR-CZM on Marine Park Project

V.I. Marina BMP Effectiveness Study

CDC to Introduce GIS to UVI Classrooms

Coral Bay Sedimentation Monitoring to Begin Soon

St. Croix Coastweeks a Huge Success!

Issue 15 (Vol. 4, No. 3) - September/October 2001, Contents:

UVI-CES Environmental Education Project Gets a Big Boost from EPA

DPNR-CZM Receives Award of Excellence

VIMAS Tackling Marine Debris on St. Croix

ESRI Donates Software to UVI-CDC

Comprehensive Road Stabilization Planning Underway for Fish Bay

Southgate Watershed Coalition Formed

"V.I. Agriculture is Growing Strong"

Issue 14 (Vol. 4, No. 2) - June/July 2001, Contents:

Virgin Islanders Capture Four EPA Environmental Quality Awards

DPNR-DEP Announces New 319 Grant Projects

St. Croix Youth Learn About the Role of Wetlands in Reducing NPS Pollution

Volunteers Needed for SEA's Mangrove Restoration Project

UVI Coastal Hazards Workshop

Issue 13 (Vol. 4, No. 1) - March/April 2001, Contents:

UVI-CES Leads Sustainable Agriculture Training

St. Thomas Rapid Ecological Assessment Maps Unveiled

Nonpoint Source Project Grants Available from DPNR

NPS Update Now Online!

DPNR-CZM Implements New Computer Tracking System Database

Sea Grant Reports Alarming Water Quality Trends in Coastal NPS Pollution

Mapping Benthic Habitats in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

USDA Announces EQIP Sign-Up

Issue 12 (Vol. 3, No. 4) - January 2001, Contents:

6th Annual NPS Conference Highlights New, On-Going Efforts to Combat Pollution in the V.I.

DPNR-CZM Website Online!

CDC Finalizes REA Maps

Magens Bay Installs Innovative Sewage Disposal Systems

Your Chance to Review DPNR's Draft Fish Bay Management Plan

Issue 11 (Vol. 3, No. 3) - October 2000, Contents:

DPNR-DEP Announces New Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Grant Projects

Hydroseeding Takes Root on St. Thomas

V.I. Resource Managers Receive Training on Storm- Caused Coastal Erosion

EPA Announces New Pollution Prevention Center

PUBLIC NOTICE – NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM RULES & REGS

EPA Approves V.I.'s NPS Management Plan

Mangrove Restoration Begins at UVI Wetland Reserve

Update on Sugar Bay Mangrove Restoration

Issue 10 (Vol. 3, No. 2) - June 2000, Contents:

Call for Presentations for the 6th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference

St. Croix Rapid Ecological Assessment Maps Unveiled

Central High School Students Share "Safe & Healthy Home" Practices

Cheese An' Bread - There's a Fish on the Road!

DPNR Unveils Draft Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Regulations

Combat the Sea of Plastic - Participate in Coastweeks!

Issue 9 (Vol. 3, No. 1) - March 2000, Contents:

Residents Present Environmental Concerns to EPA Region 2

EPA Disapproves V.I. Solid Waste Regulatory Program

Are Toxic Chemicals Lurking in Your Home?

UVI-CES Offers Composting Workshops

UVI Senior Receives National Recognition

Culebra Community Coral Reef Conservation Focuses on Erosion Control

UVI-CDC Trains Virgin Islanders in Photo Interpretation

Issue 8 (Vol. 2, No. 4) - January 2000, Contents:

Storms Cause Territory-Wide Flooding, Erosion and Road Damage

Rain and Wind Data from Lenny

EPA Releases New Rules to Control Polluted Runoff

DPW To Test Sewer Lines in Downtown Christiansted

Onsite Sewage Disposal System Rules & Regulations Revised

Draft V.I. 1998 Water Quality Inventory Available

UVI-VIMAS To Publish Boater's Handbook

Issue 7 (Vol. 2, No. 3) - September 1999, Contents:

Volunteers Plant Over 3000 Mangrove Seedlings on St. Croix

St. John Sedimentation Study Expands

UVI Installs New Weather Station With Web Link

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting to be Held on St. Croix

UVI-CDC Offers GIS and Aerial Photo Interpretation Classes

Issue 6 (Vol. 2, No. 2) - June 1999, Contents:

NPS Pollution Conference Attendees Commit to Clean Water!

Poster Contest Winners Wow NPS Conference

UVI-CDC and DPW Team up on Major Highway Project

VIMAS and SEA to Plant Thousands of Mangroves in Salt River Watershed

EPA Releases 1998 State of the Environment Report

Coastweeks Cleanups to Combat Marine Debris

Improved Pasture Management Through VI*A*Syst

EPA Environmental Justice/ Pollution Prevention Grants Available

Issue 5 (Vol. 2, No. 1) - December 1998, Contents:

Successful Erosion Control - Caret Bay Villas

Monitoring Soil Loss from Caret Bay Villas

Erosion Control Successes on the Home Front

USDA's EQIP — How Can It Help You?

Conservation Data Center to Update V.I. Land Use Inventory

New Salt Pond Video Available Soon!

Nominations Sought for EPA Environmental Quality Awards

Coral World Rehabilitates Hawksbill Hatchlings

Issue 4 (Vol. 1, No. 4) - Fall 1998, Contents:

Planning to Protect Fish Bay Watershed

What is a Watershed?

Promoting Clean Boating in the Virgin Islands

Alleviating Onsite Sewage Disposal Woes In the V.I.

Territory Spotlighted at Regional Conference

Energy Efficiency Loans Available

Environmental Education Grants Available

Issue 3 (Vol. 1, No. 3) - Summer 1998, Contents:

Virgin Islanders Receive Hands-On Erosion & Sediment Control Training

DPNR-DEP Unveils Unified Watershed Assessment Plan

EPA Presents 1998 Environmental Quality Awards

Pollution Control/Prevention Grant Money Available

Conservation Data Center Unveils BCD

Issue 2 (Vol. 1, No. 2) - March 1998, Contents:

Fourth Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference the Biggest Ever!

Donoe Slopes Stabilized

Pump-out Stations Now Open

UNEP Gathers Ag Experts for NPS Meeting in St. Lucia

Issue 1 (Vol. 1, No. 1) - December 1997, Contents:

NPS Committee Launches Newsletter!

NPS Pollution Conference - Impacts on Our Coral Reef

Reef Monitoring Project Begins

Grant Writing Workshops Scheduled

Hydroseeders Now Available to the Public

The Conservation Data Center: Mapping Our Way to the Future

The primary nonpoint source pollutants impairing U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) coastal waters and degrading USVI coral reef systems are sediment and partially-treated sewage. Sediment erodes and is transported from construction sites; unpaved roads, driveways, and parking areas; and other disturbed soils. The majority of the construction taking place in the USVI does not employ effective erosion or sediment control practices. Untreated or partially-treated sewage from failing individual septic systems and improperly maintained package treatment plants impairs water quality and creates a public health hazard. Other nonpoint sources of pollution such as marinas and recreational boating, household hazardous products and wastes, and agricultural practices are also a problem being addressed by the NPS Committee in the Virgin Islands.

The mission of the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well being, and communities.

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page last modified April 11, 2007