Buck Island Reef National Monument will be partially closed mid-February to the beginning of May while the National Park Service cleans up and repairs public amenities on the uninhabited island off the coast of St. Croix, park officials say.
Much of the work will be to repair damage from Hurricane Omar.
Crews will repair and rehabilitate picnic areas and restroom facilities, remove storm debris on beaches, do some erosion control work along the hiking trail and demolish and rebuild the pier.
Work will begin in the picnic areas, clearing overgrown vegetation, replacing picnic tables and grills and repairing the public restrooms. Shoreline cleanup and debris removal will begin in late February.
At times the picnic areas will be closed for repairs. The closed areas will be marked as construction areas, with signs saying to keep out, according to a statement from the National Park Service.
The pier will be closed to the public starting mid-February. An area 300 feet around the pier will be closed to all boating and recreational activities during demolition and construction. The closed area will be marked with buoys.
A large barge and crane will be used for work on the pier. There may be some noise, and island visitors are asked to keep a safe distance from work areas at all times.
Anyone wishing to report safety concerns may call the National Park Service on St. Croix at (340) 773-1460 ext. 234.
