Poor
land clearing and landscaping practices, primarily from development activities,
are negatively impacting the plants, wildlife, soil, and water resources
of the Virgin Islands. Ecosystem degradation has resulted from large-scale
removal of vegetation, which reduces wildlife habitat, promotes soil erosion
and sedimentation, and threatens biological diversity. Of particular concern
is the impact of rapid development on coastal areas and the surrounding
marine environment. Sediment resulting from soil erosion on construction
sites, dirt roads and other disturbed areas is the largest pollutant of
Virgin Island waters, by volume.
Construction along the ridge lines and in guts (intermittent streams) is rapidly depleting moist forest habitat and dramatically increasing impervious surface area, resulting in decreased stormwater infiltration and increased stormwater runoff volume and velocity, which has led to increased flooding, erosion, and siltation of coral reefs and sea grass beds, in addition to changing microclimate. Based on anecdotal information, many formerly moist forest areas have become much hotter and drier, guts that once flowed year round now only flow during storm events. Chemicals in stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots and other urbanized areas pollute coastal waters and adversely affect coral reef growth, ultimately impacting Virgin Islands fisheries.
To combat these problems, CES has installed (and will continue to install) demonstration projects that illustrate the use, design, installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment control practices. These sites are currently located at the CES Home Demonstration Garden, Donoe Housing Community, Weymouth Rhymer Highway roadside, UVI St. Croix, and a farm and homesite in Estate St. George's Hill on St. Croix, and Magens Bay, and will be installed at various other sites across the Territory. They are intended for use as a training tool for developers, architects, engineers, landscapers, and homeowners to promote the conservation of the Virgin Islands' soil resource and protection of our water resources and coastal habitats.
