DPNR Touts Major Public Participation in the Creation of the USVI’s Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan

Commissioner Oriole updates Senate on progress of Virgin Islands' land and water use plan, emphasizing robust public input and collaborative drafting to guide future development and conservation efforts

The process involved in drafting the Virgin Islands’ Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan has been described as “an amazing, inclusive experience” by Jean-Pierre Oriole, commissioner in the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

DPNR is the lead agency on the creation of the plan, intended to be a “shared vision for the USVI’s future that helps make decisions about what new development looks like.” Nearly two years in the making, Mr. Oriole provided a status update to the Senate Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure, and Planning on Monday.

He explained to lawmakers and the listening public that the plan, currently in a draft phase, outlines “how we balance competing uses for our land and waters, how to protect environmentally sensitive areas, waters, coastlines and historic sites, prioritizing future investments in community services and infrastructure.” It also “seeks to ensure that the land use decision-making process is fair, equitable and consistent.” Mr. Oriole also clarified that the Comprehensive Plan is not a regulatory tool, but rather “a framework for how we make decisions.”