Ban the Burn of Hurricane Debris in the U.S. Virgin Islands

ST. JOHN, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the USVI picks up the pieces from the ravages of two back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes, Island Green Living Association pleads with Governor Mapp and members of the legislature to resist pressure from FEMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers and BAN the incineration of hurricane debris. The majority of debris is clean wood from fallen trees, limbs and other vegetation. FEMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers have influenced our green governor to reverse his original stance and the potential health and environmental implications of local burning, a process that will take a year or more, are serious. It will emit harmful chemicals and strip our islands of rich organic material that the soil and plants need to flourish.

Island Green has introduced a petition to convince Governor Mapp to stand by his original decision NOT to incinerate: https://www.change.org/p/governor-kenneth-mapp-ban-the-burning-of-us-virgin-islands-natural-resources

The organization urges residents and others interested in the wellbeing of the USVI to sign this petition. In addition, residents can call and write to the governor (340-774-0001) and the members of the USVI Legislature (Senator Myron D. Jackson: [email protected]).

At a town hall meeting hosted by Senate President Myron D. Jackson, the Army Corp of Engineers confirmed their intention to burn. The proposed sites are Coral Bay on St. John, St Thomas (TBD) and Body Slob on St. Croix. The past practice of FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers in similar situations is air-curtain incineration, which they plan in the USVI as well. There are no pollution controls and particulate matter and other air pollutants are often emitted on hot and humid days ? a common condition in the USVI.

Before burning can proceed, permits need to be secured from the department of Planning and Natural Resources.

It is critical that vegetative material from the hurricanes be kept on the islands and composted. Composting experts from the USVI and stateside have worked together to develop a plan that will ensure the debris management process is done safely and efficiently, resulting in organic mulch that can be made available to local residents, farms, schools and businesses for free. It is natural and has been successful in many locations, and at large scales, including in subtropical/tropical areas like the islands, and with other disasters (like Superstorm Sandy).

Many residents of the USVI have asthma and other respiratory and cardiac diseases that are made worse by air pollution. The operation of diesel generators and exposure to indoor mold caused by the storms are already aggravating existing illnesses. Air quality ? and tourism, our main industry - will be severely impacted if burning is permitted. The residents, tourists and visitors of USVI deserve clean air and a healthy ecosystem. 

About:

Island Green Living Association (Island Green) is a registered 501 C 3, not for profit organization dedicated to sustainability throughout the USVI. www.islandgreenliving.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Herbst, [email protected], 347-393-2948 

SOURCE Island Green Living Association