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.

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.

To date, 18 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.
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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 Cooperative Extension Service University of the Virgin Islands #2 John Brewers Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 (340) 693-1080 Fax: (340) 693-1085

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 Web Resources Available Grants V.I. Agriculture - Collaborate, Cultivate & Celebrate Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Available Grants Support Agriculture - Eat What You Grow Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Available Grants New VI*A*Syst Publications Available from UVI-CES Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Available Grants Call UVI-CES for FREE Home Water Quality Test Kits! Upcoming Events

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! Web Resources Available Grants Upcoming Events

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" Web Resources Available Grants Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Available Grants Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Available Grants Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Your Chance to Review DPNR's Draft Fish Bay Management Plan Available Grants Upcoming Events

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 Available Grants Upcoming Events

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! Web Resources Available Grants Upcoming Events

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 Web Resources Upcoming Events

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 Grant Funding Available Upcoming Events

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 Grant Funding Available Upcoming Events

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 Upcoming Events

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 Upcoming Activities & Events

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 Scheduled Events

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 Upcoming Activities & Events

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 Upcoming Events

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

Last Updated on March 24, 2003 by Julie Wright

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