The Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources has submitted a $146.9 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, along with two supplemental funding requests totaling $2.1 million, aimed at preserving essential services and avoiding layoffs in two of its most critical divisions, officials told senators Thursday.
The proposed budget includes roughly $7 million from the General Fund, $10.9 million in special non-appropriated local funds, and $129 million in federal grants. Of that federal amount, approximately $100 million is earmarked for land acquisition and infrastructure projects that do not directly support the department’s day-to-day operations.
DPNR currently employs 151 individuals across 12 divisions, including 83 classified, 1 general schedule, and 67 exempt employees. While 61 of these positions are funded by the General Fund, the remaining 102 rely on federal grants.
Despite efforts to strengthen staffing capacity, including competitive starting salaries and fellowship programs to attract new hires, DPNR continues to face ongoing human resource challenges, according to Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol.
“Without the additional funding we’re requesting, we won’t be able to support all of the salaries, the majority of which are inspectors,” Oriol said during Thursday’s Committee on Finance, Budget and Appropriations hearing, referencing the department’s first supplemental request of $575,143 for the Division of Permits. Many of those inspectors are directly tied to disaster recovery efforts. “This would have a direct impact on recovery projects across the territory,” he added.
The second request, totaling $1.4 million, is for the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums, which Oriol said is already operating under financial strain. “The current budget ceiling does not allow for the retention and recruitment of the necessary workforce,” he told lawmakers. “Without supplemental request number two, public libraries will have to remain closed or underutilized, denying access to vital educational and cultural resources.”
Compounding the problem is the recent loss of federal support. Oriol noted that the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services was permanently shuttered in April 2025 under the Trump administration, and that no federal funds are currently allocated to support public library operations. “The $138,000 we received in fiscal year 2025 for subscription services, E-Rate fees, and outreach supplies is likely the last we’ll receive for several years,” he said.
Still, the division remains focused on expanding traditional literacy initiatives, including family literacy nights, intergenerational book clubs, and increased outreach to communities with limited library access. Planning is also underway for new permanent exhibits at libraries and historic forts that highlight the Virgin Islands’ cultural and natural heritage.
In addition to these efforts, DPNR is also modernizing its enforcement systems. The Division of Environmental Enforcement recently rolled out an electronic vessel registration card system, providing digital proof of registration for boaters. “This upgrade will significantly improve efficiency, accuracy, and information sharing between DPNR and local or federal law enforcement agencies,” Oriol said.
As the department looks ahead, Oriol said federal uncertainty remains a concern. While funding under the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts is federally mandated, actual allocations could be reduced under future budget proposals. DPNR is working closely with lobbyists to monitor shifts in federal priorities and prepare for possible impacts.
Overall, the department’s proposed budget reflects the breadth of its responsibilities, ranging from environmental regulation and disaster recovery to cultural preservation and public education. And while the base funding request covers the core of DPNR’s operations, the supplemental requests, according to Oriol, are essential to keeping those operations running smoothly.
“We are committed to doing the work,” he said. “But without these additional resources, the services we provide to the public—and the progress we’ve made — could be at risk.”
