Dear Valued SEA Member,

St. Croix Environmental Association has begun its annual search for qualified individuals to join its Board of Directors. We also have openings on several committees including Education, Fundraising and Conservation. This is your chance to shape the face of SEA to come! Key upcoming initiatives include development at Southgate Coastal Reserve, re-vamping and implementation of a new education program, revitalized fundraising efforts, exciting new renewable energy initiatives, and upcoming work on the three and five year SEA strategic plans. Be a part of the grass roots environmental efforts going on in your community. For more information about our board or committee openings, please call or email Paul Chakroff at 773-1989 or pchakroff.atSEA@gmail.com.

Thank you, Paul Chakroff




Paul Chakroff, SEA Managing Director, presented an oral testimony before the 28th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands Committee on Planning and Environmental Protection, Wednesday, June 17th 2009, in Frederiksted.
Paul's presentation addressed issues regarding WAPA's PSD Permit, WAPA's Title V Permit, and public health hazards of regulated and unregulated pollutants in WAPA air emissions. Although WAPA's PSD permit appears to be current, WAPA is not compliant with the regulations on continuous emission monitoring and stack testing for Nitrous Oxides. WAPA's Clean Air Act Part 70 Operating (Title V) Permit expired Dec 31st, 2008. WAPA is currently working on as permit renewal, but are reported to be not in current compliance with Title V conditions, and have not been in continuous compliance during the evaluation period. Public Health hazards of regulated pollutants in WAPA air emissions: The St Croix population potentially affected by Nitrous Oxide is significant, as over 82% of St Croix's inhabitants are downwind of from WAPA for the majority of the year. Of even greater concern are the unmonitored emissions, such as soot: impure carbon particles resulting from the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon. According to the US Department of Energy, soot accounts for 71% of the cancer risk from toxic air pollution.
LINK TO FULL TESTIMONY



Known locally as SEA, we are a 500+ member organization committed to protecting and conserving our beautiful island environment. St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands and is surrounded by turquoise waters and some of the most colorful coral reefs in the Caribbean.

SEA was formed as a grass roots organization in 1986. By creating innovative environmental education programs for children and adults, sponsoring engaging activities and remaining vigilant in seeking compliance with local and federal environmental regulations, the St. Croix Environmental Association continues to provide leadership for a healthy and sustainable environment.

SEA is member of the Virgin Island Conservation Society (VICS) which in turn is an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

Read more about our programs. Sign up for the SEA newsletter. Participate in engaging events. Plan a visit to the Southgate Coastal Reserve. Become a SEA member!