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Home For Dredging Spoils Comes Too Late

Even after approval was granted by the Legislature, Sen. Wayne James was determined to find a home for the Charlotte Amalie dredging spoils other than Lindberg Bay — but his efforts may have come too late.

James brought the idea to the St. Croix Renaissance Group in late June. In a letter dated June 24 that was sent to Myron Allick, Renaissance Group’s vice president of operations, James requested that Renaissance Group consider using its property located on St. Croix’s south shore, in an industrialized area, to house the spoils from the Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project.

In his letter, James wrote, "I remain firm in my conviction that given the fragile nature of our aquatic ecosystems and the downturn in the local economy as a result of the international economic crisis, the best repository for the spoils would be on land, where the well documented commercial value of harbor spoils could be realized by local construction companies while protecting some of the very things which entice visitors to our territory: pristine bays and turquoise waters.”

What that translates into, James said in an interview Thursday, is that the spoils can be used for construction projects and materials such as paving bricks.

"Renaissance was excited about the idea, and we had a meeting yesterday to discuss how this could be done," he said. "It would be a very viable solution if the permit is granted to Renaissance to be the repository within a timeframe that doesn’t delay the dredging."

Edward Thomas, president and CEO of the West Indian Co., Ltd, met with the St. Croix Renaissance Group at James’ request. Thomas said Friday that although it is an interesting idea, it has unfortunately come 10 months too late.

Thomas said, “I was courteous and met with them but the process would take too much time.” According to Thomas, in order to deposit the dredging spoils on the St. Croix property, WICO would have to begin the application process all over again, including obtaining permits from Coastal Zone Management on St. Croix.

He also mentioned that the plan may be to cap the red dirt on St. Croix with the spoils from the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, and that that was an issue he did not want to get involved in.

WICO has recently responded to additional questions asked by the Army Corps of Engineers and is awaiting their decision on whether or not to approve the dredging. Thomas said, “I am moving forward. I am just waiting for the federal permit.”

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