The St. Croix Committee of the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Commission held a virtual meeting Tuesday to address a proposal by the V.I. Waste Management Authority to construct waste disposal convenience centers on St. Croix. Additionally, CZM approved a Federal Consistency determination for reconstructing the Renceliar I. Gibbs Fire Station.
Three VIWMA Waste Disposal Centers Proposed
At Tuesday’s meeting, representatives from VIWMA provided details about three convenience centers that were proposed to be constructed at sites already being used for waste disposal across St. Croix at Estate Concordia, Cotton Valley and Mon Bijou.
The exact locations of the sites are listed as Parcel 73-C Concordia, Estate Concordia; Parcel 57 Cotton Valley and Parcel 1 Cotton Valley, Estate Cotton Valley; and 10 VICORP Land, Estate Colquohoun/Mon Bijou/VICORP, according to CZM.
“The residential convenience centers will create safe disposal sites for solid waste and recycling,” according to information provided by CZM. “The proposed convenience centers will help reduce environmental burdens directly affecting the neighboring communities through improper dumping and household waste disposal.”
The proposed new centers will offer waste facilities with staff on-site and will feature trash compactors and areas designated for the disposal of hazardous household waste. Additionally, items collected at the facilities will allow VIWMA to begin to reuse and recycle salvageable objects.
Alex Bruney, engineering manager at VIWMA, and Daryl Griffith, chief financial officer at VIWMA, provided information about the convenience centers.
The approval of the sites will allow residents to drop off various types of waste, including electronic waste, and having a staffed facility would allow VIWMA to handle the management of waste better, Bruney said.
“Having the sites [constructed] will control waste on STX in an environmentally friendly way,” Bruney explained. “We are looking into identifying different materials to recycle and reuse,” he added.
Plans for the facilities include “agricultural buffer areas,” which would surround part of the structure for aesthetic purposes and mitigate any potential flooding. While the projects are not specifically located in floodplains, the areas are close to the boundaries of flood zones. Cameras and lights will also be installed for safety and security.
A More Sustainable Waste Disposal Future
“This is a move forward environmentally,” said Amy Dempsey, president at Bioimpact, Inc. on St. Croix. Dempsey provided a slideshow of the current conditions at the waste disposal locations and noted the dire need for site revitalizations.
Dempsey explained that a priority of constructing new waste convenience centers would be to eliminate contamination, including hydrocarbon-contaminated soils [which includes crude oil] found at the three locations. She expressed excitement about taking steps forward as a community toward a more sustainable future regarding waste disposal.
Members of the public who joined the public CZM meeting and shared opinions were optimistic overall about the prospect of new facilities. However, several individuals expressed concerns, including learning more about the facilities’ planned recycling process.
Other concerns addressed included the possible smell at the facilities, which Bruney said would not be an issue. Community members also expressed concern for stray dogs that frequent the current trash dumping locations. Bruney explained that because VIWMA intends to have a fully staffed and contained facility, the issue of stray animals would not be a problem.
Bruney also mentioned that the three trash collection sites are expected to remain open during the construction of the proposed centers.
The CZM board will meet again in 30 days to decide on the proposal.
Renceliar I. Gibbs Fire Station Federal Consistency Determination Approved
Among other notable news shared on Tuesday, CZM provided approval of a Federal Consistency determination for the reconstruction of the Renceliar I. Gibbs Fire Station (CZM0012-24) and the construction of an internal safe room on St. Croix, provided that recommendations and special conditions are fulfilled. The location for the fire station reconstruction will be at #1 Cotton Valley, Christiansted.
Antonio Stevens, representing the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and John Woods, from Jaredian Design Group, were among those who joined the meeting and received news of the Federal Consistency approval.
CZM representatives present at the meeting included Board President Masserae Webster, May Adams Cornwall, Kai Nielsen, and Marlon Hibbert.
