Dear SEA Member,

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently engaged in the Castle Nugent Farms Special Resource Study of the suitability and feasibility of a new park on St. Croix. The process has been underway for a couple years and is nearing completion. NPS has determined the site meets the requirements of suitability and feasibility and has outlined four alternative management plans NPS is currently seeking public input regarding four alternatives for the site. The public has until August 1, 2009 to comment.

A description of the National Park Service proposed designation and maps of Alternatives B, C and D (Alternative A represents No Action) are attached for your reference. To comment, you may write to:

John Barrett
National Park Service
100 Alabama Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-562-3124 ext. 637
john_barrett@nps.gov

OR, click here [LINK]

Castle Nugent Farm and the surrounding lands contain remnants of former cotton, indigo, and cattle plantation estates in exceptional condition. This estate still has viable cultural and historical resources dating back to the French colonial era and the Danish cotton plantation era. It is also one of the last working cattle ranches on St. Croix, and one of the ranches instrumental in the development and exportation of Senapol cattle throughout the Caribbean and the world. Other archaeological resources date back to pre-Columbian occupation of various locations within the site.

Ecologically, the site includes wetlands vital to migrating and resident birds, one of the largest salt ponds in the territory, the most substantial stand of black mangroves in the Virgin Islands, and one of the largest and most healthy fringing reefs in the territory.

SEA strongly supports Alternative B. Alternatives B and C cover the most diverse territory and offer the widest range of resource protection, interpretive and recreational opportunities. Both options provide a buffer from encroaching development that would otherwise diminish the value of historical, cultural and natural resources on this site. Alternative B provides for management of the park under the Christiansted National Historic Site, providing the most cost efficient, practicable and realizable management structure management of the Castle Nugent resources.

SEA staff have worked closely with Delegate Donna Christensen, Superintendent Joel Tutein and his National Park Service staff, and other St. Croix stakeholders over the last couple years to bring the proposed designation to this point. We call upon you, our members, to please take a moment to write to the National Park Service or visit the NPS link above and echo our support of Alternative B. Forward this to all your friends who support the protection of cultural, historical and natural resources of St. Croix. Input is not restricted to St. Croix or Virgin Island residents, or even to US citizens. International tourists make up a healthy proportion of National Park visitors each year.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Paul

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Paul Chakroff

Managing Director
St. Croix Environmental Association
PChakroff.atSEA@gmail.com
340/773-1989