>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ >>> HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO "RECOVERY IN FOCUS."

I´M ADRIENNE WILLIAMS OSELIN.

WE´LL HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES, FOCUSING ON REOPENING PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND DPNR OFFICE ON ST. JOHN.

WE´LL ALSO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT EXPANDING OPERATIONS OF THE FORCE IN BOTH DISTRICTS, BRINGING HURRICANE RELIEF TO LOCAL FISHERS AND PROVIDING RECONSTRUCTION DRAFTS TO ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS.

FIRST THE LATEST NEWS ON ONGOING RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORIES.

>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO ON ST. CROIX, I´M LISA ELLIS.

PLANS ARE GOING AHEAD TO MODERNIZE THE BUREAU OF VEHICLES IN ST. THOMAS THANKS IN PART TO A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR AWARD FROM FEMA.

THE BUILDING DID SUBBASE WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED WITH AN UP-TO-DATE FACILITY, EQUIPPED WITH MODERN TOOLS INCLUDING FREE WI-FI, SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS, AND A DRIVE-THRU WINDOW THAT WILL ALLOW THE MOTORING PUBLIC TO ACCESS CERTAIN SERVICES WITHOUT HAVING TO ENTER THE BUILDING.

DIRECTOR BARBARA MACINTOSH, OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY, AND FEMA, THANK YOU FOR HELPING SECURE THE PRACTICAL FUNDS NEEDED TO REPLACE RATHER THAN RATHER THAN REPAIR THE DILAPIDATED BUILDING.

>> THE DMV WAS AWARDED A PORTION OF $5.2 MILLION, $3.2 MILLION DIRECT FUNDING FROM FEMA, AND WE DO HAVE SOME MONIES IN OUR INSURANCE FUND.

ALTOGETHER IT´S $5.2 MILLION.

THE MONIES THAT ALLOW US TO BUILD A LONGSTANDING USER-FRIENDLY FACILITY, ONE THAT WE´VE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

IT IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE PARKING FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE THE DISABLED COMMUNITY.

WE´RE GOING TO HAVE ADEQUATE SPACE FOR THE STAFF, ESPECIALLY, WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN LESS THAN DESIRABLE CONDITIONS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

SO ALONG WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE STAFF IS ALSO GOING TO BE EXPERIENCING A USER-FRIENDLY BUILDING.

I KEEP SAYING USER-FRIENDLY.

BY THAT I MEAN A MODERN, UP-TO-DATE SYSTEM WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

>> A RECREATIONAL CENTER FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IS POISED TO MAKE A COMEBACK.

FEMA, THROUGH ITS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, RECENTLY OBLIGATED $80,000 TO VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY TO FUND REPAIRS TO THE QUEEN LOUISE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

THE DILAPIDATED TWO-STORY BUILDING WILL BE RESTORED TO ITS PREDISASTER CONDITION.

WORK IS UNDER WAY TO RESTORE THE FENCE SURROUNDING THE EMIL HENDERSON BASKETBALL COURT IN FREDERICKSTAD, DAMAGED IN THE HURRICANE.

FEMA OBLIGATED $10,000 TO THE SPORTS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO FUND THE REPAIR PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES REPLACING THE CHAIN LINK FENCE AND TOP RAIL AND INSTALLING A NEW METAL LIGHT POLE AND LIGHT FIXTURE.

THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO PETOLI TRUCKING SERVICE, AND THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH.

THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A MORE SECURE AND WELL-LIT BASKETBALL COURT ONCE COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS ON ITS ONGOING EFFORT TO REBUILD ITS STORM-DAMAGED ST. CROIX CAMPUS.

THE LATEST FACILITY IN THE RESTORATION PIPELINE IS THE FORESTRY BUILDING WHICH HAS QUALIFIED FOR A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT THROUGH FEMA.

THE $1.1 MILLION FEDERAL OBLIGATION WILL ALLOW THE FORESTRY BUILDING TO BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO A MORE RESILIENT STANDARD THAT MEETS CURRENT CODE REQUIREMENTS.

THE FEMA FUNDS WILL ALSO ALLOW THE AGENCY TO ADDRESS ADA ACCESSIBILITY CONCERNS TO ENSURE THAT THE STAFF AND GENERAL PUBLIC CAN EASILY ACCESS THE FACILITY.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 24 TO 30 MONTHS.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY RECEIVED A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FROM THE GOVERNOR, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AT A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY THIS MONTH FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

THE THREE-PHASE PUBLIC HOUSING INITIATIVE TO REPLACE THE HOUSING IN TUTU THAT WAS DESTROYED BY THE 2017 HURRICANE.

SO INCLUDING 84 SPACIOUS APARTMENT UNITS WITH A HURRICANE-RESILIENT CONSTRUCTION DESIGN, ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES, AND NO ELECTRIC BILL THANKS TO AN ON-SITE MICRO GRID.

COMMUNITY AMENITIES WILL INCLUDE TEAM GAMING, WI-FI ACCESS, INDOOR MEETING SPACES, AND A LARGE RECREATIONAL TRAIL WHICH WILL FEATURE PARKS AND PROVIDED SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO WALK, RUN, CYCLE, AND PLAY.

THE DULU DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS BUDGETED FOR $57.7 MILLION.

>> THIS GROUNDBREAKING MARKS THE FIRST STEP BY WHICH DHUD WILL BE RENEWING ITS PUBLIC HOUSING PORT FOAL YOU THROUGH REDEVELOPMENT AND RENOVATIONS OVER THE NEXT EIGHT TO TEN YEARS.

FULLY DEVELOPED BY THE FUNDING AUTHORITY WITH CONSULTANT JACKSON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, OFFERING 84 SPACIOUS DEPARTMENTS IN 14 BUILDINGS.

FORMER RESIDENTS OF TUTU AND DUNO WILL BE GIVEN THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO OPTIMIZE THESE NEWER APARTMENTS IN DECEMBER 2022.

>> THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE LIVING HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY, START PLANNING NOW TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME.

DON´T COME IN AND GET COMFORTABLE.

AS YOU KNOW, IT´S TIME TO START TRAINING YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO OWN PROPERTY AND OWN THEIR OWN HOME.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS ON ALL DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, VISIT WWW.USVIODR.COM.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT, LARISA.

JOINING ME TO UPDATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE RECOVERY PROJECT IN THE COMMUNITY IS COMMISSIONER JEAN PIERRE OLIO.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, COMMISSIONER.

I WANT TO START WITH YOUR DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM FOR THE FISHING COMMUNITY.

FIRST LET´S HEAR FROM SOME OF THE RESIDENTS.

WE ASKED LOCAL FISHERS ABOUT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO GET´D TO THE FISHING COMMUNITY AND HERE´S WHAT TWO OF THEM HAD TO SAY.

>> IT´S TAKING TOO LONG RIGHT NOW.

WE´VE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME FOR THIS.

HELP THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE US.

WE ONLY RECEIVED -- A COUPLE OF PEOPLE RECEIVED THE SECOND PHASE, BUT ME AS ONE OF THE TOP FISHERMAN IN THE ISLAND, HAVEN´T RECEIVED SECOND PHASE YET.

IT´S TAKING LONGER AND LONGER EVERY DAY.

>> THE RELIEF THAT THE FISHERS NEED SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO.

THE MONEY HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE GOVERNMENT HANDS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS RIGHT NOW.

AND NOW THAT IT IS MOVING, FISHERS FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE AT EASE, BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO GET BACK OUT THERE.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE LOST THEIR BOAT, HAVE LOST EVERYTHING.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE ONLY BEGINNING TO BUILD BACK THEIR BUSINESSES.

I MYSELF, I HAVE RECEIVED PHASE ONE BUT HAVEN´T RECEIVED PHASE TWO.

BUT IT IS IN THE WORKS.

AND IT TOOK ME SOME TIME TRYING TO GET BACK TO MY TWO FEET.

>> WELL, YOU HEAR THE CRIES OF THE FISHERS.

WE JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE FRYING PAN HERE, COMMISSIONER.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE HEARD ONE FISHER SAID HE´S STILL WAITING.

THE OTHER SAID THAT, YES, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THESE MONIES ARE AVAILABLE, BUT THEY´VE SEEN SOME PROGRESS.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW, WHERE IS YOUR DEPARTMENT NOW, IN TERMS OF THE GRANTS TO THE FISHERMEN?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT´S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

SO WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT IT HAS TAKEN SOME TIME.

A LOT OF FOLKS DON´T UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSES THAT GO INTO SOME OF THESE PACKAGES.

BUT AS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THEM WITH THE FISHERS, WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO NOW EXECUTE OVER -- ALMOST $2.5 MILLION IN TOTAL AWARDS.

THAT´S ABOUT 65% TO 70% OF THE APPLICATIONS PROCESSED ON ST. CROIX.

AND ABOUT 55% OF THE APPLICATIONS PROCESSED IN ST. THOMAS.

>> SO WE´RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT MORE ABOUT THAT LATER ON IN THE SHOW.

YOU HAVE SOME OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS ON.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DPNR´S PUSH TO GETTING HURRICANE RELIEF INTO THE HANDS OF THE FISHERS, WE SPOKE TO THE FISH AND WILDLIFE DIRECTOR, NICOLE ANGELI.

HURRICANE DISASTER ASSISTANT, SHIRLEY EISEN.

>> FISHERS WERE AFFECTED THROUGH THE LOSS OF THEIR BOATS, THROUGH THE LOSS OF THEIR CATCH, WHEN ELECTRICITY AND FREEZERS FAILED.

THEY WERE AFFECTED BY LOSS OF THEIR BUILDINGS AND THEIR RAMPS.

WE WERE ABLE HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT, AFTER A PROCESS OF SECURING FEDERAL FUNDS, TO DISBURSE THAT MONEY OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

>> FROM SINCE SEPTEMBER TO PRESENT, OVER 355 ESTIMATED FISHERS HAVE RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY $2,384,733.51, THAT´S COMBINED FIRST PHASE AND SECOND PHASE.

289 FIRST PHASE, 56 IN THE SECOND PHASE RECEIVED $956,273.51.

AND THE PROCESS IS FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

WHEN YOU FILL OUT THE APPLICATION, WE HAVE TO APPLY THAT NUMBER.

WHAT THAT NUMBER, AFTER WE DO ALL OF THAT, DR. ANGELI REVIEWS THE APPLICATION, SIGNS IT OFF.

WE CARRY IT TO -- WE SEND IT TO THE CONSULTANT.

THEY SIGN OFF.

THEY REVIEW THE APPLICATION AND ALSO SIGN OFF.

AND AFTER WE GET IT BACK FROM THE CONSULTANT, THEN WE SEND IT TO THE COMMISSIONER TO SIGN AND SIGN OFF.

ONCE THAT IS DONE, WE SEND IT TO FINANCE TO BE PROCESSED.

IT´S A JOY WORKING WITH THE FISHERMEN.

I GET TO MEET NEW PEOPLE.

I GET NEW BUSINESS.

>> WHEN THE HURRICANE CAME, IT MESSED EVERYTHING UP.

COULDN´T GO FISHING FOR SOME DAYS.

AND MY BOAT GOT KIND OF A LITTLE DAMAGED HERE AND THERE.

ACTUALLY ENGINE-WISE.

STUFF LIKE THAT.

SOME EQUIPMENT GOT WET.

YOU KNOW, LIKE FISH FINDER, CB RADIO, STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT THANKS TO WILDLIFE AND DPNR, THEY BRING THIS PROGRAM UP WITH THE FUNDS, YOU KNOW.

SO ALL THE MONEY I SPEND OUT OF MY CATCH AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THANKS TO THEM, I GET ALL THE MONEY BACK TO REPLACE AND GET ME BACK ON THE ROAD.

>> THE MONIES ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERY HELPER, FISHER, CHARTER.

AND IF YOU HAVEN´T COME TO APPLY FOR YOUR MONIES YET, YOU SHOULD.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, THE LAST COMMENT THAT DR. ANGELI MADE WAS, IF YOU HAVEN´T APPLIED, YOU SHOULD COME TO APPLY.

SO HOW DO THE FISHERS GO ABOUT APPLYING?

IS THERE A LOT MORE FUNDS LEFT?

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS RELIEF BEING AVAILABLE?

FOR HOW MUCH LONGER?

>> THE TOTAL PROJECT PERIOD FOR US IS UNTIL AUGUST OF 2023.

AND THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT FOR DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE FISHERS WAS BETWEEN $6 MILLION AND $7 MILLION.

THIS PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED AS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

AND SO THE DOCUMENTATION IS WHAT´S NECESSARY IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR FUNDS.

IF WE SEE THAT A LOT OF THE FISHERS WHO CAME IN, THEY´RE OPTING FOR THE FIRST PHASE, AND SO WE ANTICIPATE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A LOT MORE LEFT OVER THAN APPLIED FOR, AND PART OF THE STRATEGY OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THAT IN THE FUTURE, WE WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THIS AS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, BUT CREATE A FUND THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY ASSIST THE FISHERS AFTER THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DISASTER.

SO WE ARE REQUESTING THAT SOME FORM OF THE UNSPENT MONIES IN DIRECT ASSISTANCE BE ABLE TO GO INTO A TRUST AND ACCRUE THAT INTEREST, BUT BE AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS RIGHT AWAY.

>> WAY TO GO FORECASTING, PLANNING THIS WHOLE THING ABOUT BEING RESILIENT IS WHAT WE´RE ALL ABOUT.

THAT SOUNDS EXCELLENT.

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET APPLIED, YOU STILL HAVE A FISHER, YOU STILL HAVE NEEDS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

NOW, YOU KNOW, I DON´T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, WE WENT TO THE LIBRARY TO GET INFORMATION.

THERE WAS NO GOOGLE.

WE HAD TO GET ON OUR TAXI BUS AND -- I USED TO GO TO UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN ISLANDS OR GO TO FREDERICKSTAD TO PETERSON LIBRARY TO GET INFORMATION, GO AND CHECK THE MICROFICHE.

DO YOU REMEMBER MICROFICHE?

>> I DO REMEMBER MICROFICHE.

>> NOW WE PULL IT OFF OUR PHONES.

A LIBRARY PLAYED SUCH A CRITICAL PART IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHERE IS DPNR IS IN GETTING OUR LIBRARIES BACK ON TRACK?

>> SO WE ARE HAPPY WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN THAT THE PROCESS OF SECURING THE OBLIGATIONS FOR THESE PROJECTS FROM FEMA HAS FINALLY COME TO A CLOSE.

I´M HAPPY TO REPORT ALL THE FUNDS FOR OUR LIBRARIES ARE OBLIGATED AND WE ARE NOW IN THE S PROOF RECEIVING THAT FUNDING, PUTTING THOSE CODES -- GOING THROUGH THE RED TAPE OF THAT PROCESS.

BUT WE ANTICIPATE NOW GOING OUT FOR -- GOING OUT TO BID FOR THE SERVICES FOR THE REPAIRS VERY, VERY SHORTLY.

WE DO HAVE SOME DETAILED WORK PLANS AT THIS TIME THAT WILL ENABLE US TO JUMP RIGHT INTO THAT AS WELL.

>> LET´S TAKE THEM ONE AT A TIME.

HOW ABOUT THE TURNBULL LIBRARY ON ST. THOMAS?

>> CHARLES TURNBULL LIBRARY, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS I BELIEVE WE´LL BE SEEING VERY SHORTLY OUT TO BID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE PARKING AREA LIGHTS.

THAT WAS SEPARATED OUT SPECIFICALLY SO THAT WE COULD JUST GET A VENDOR MUCH, MUCH MORE QUICKLY ON THERE.

THE MAJOR DAMAGES ARE TO THE ROOF STRUCTURE AND FOR REMEDIATION WITHIN THE BUILDING.

LUCKILY THE CHARLES TURNBULL LIBRARY IS ONE OF OUR NEWEST BUILDINGS IN GOVERNMENT, SO WE DO ACTUALLY HAVE PLANS -- AND IT WON´T TAKE US A VERY LONG TIME TO FINALIZE THE DETAILS FOR THAT PROJECT TO GO OUT TO BID.

AND AGAIN, WE SHOULD BE ABLE, WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS OR SO, TO HAVE A PUBLIC BID OUT AND SEE SOME WORK BEING DONE RESTORING THAT BUILDING.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND THEN ALSO, OUR ENID BAUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY?

>> WE ALL USED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY, AND ME GOING TO SCHOOL BY ENID BAUGH, THAT´S THE LIBRARY I USED TO GO TO.

WE ARE FINALIZING THE CONTRACT FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND WE ARE ANTICIPATING A THREE-MONTH DESIGN AND REVIEW PHASE.

WE ARE HOPING TO BE OUT FOR PUBLIC BID HOPEFULLY BY MAY OR SO, SELECTING A CONTRACTOR SOMETIME IN THE SUMMER.

WE WOULD LIKE TO DEFINITELY GET THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE ENID BAA FACILITY OPEN BEFORE THE START OF THE TOURIST SEASON NEXT YEAR.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE PLANNING TO DO IS TURN THE LOWER FLOOR OF THE BAA FACILITY INTO A LOCAL RETAIL SPACE.

>> HOW INTERESTING.

>> THERE WAS VERY MUCH SUCCESS, BOTH ON ST. THOMAS AND ON ST. CROIX, FOR THE LOCAL POPUP SHOPS, FOR ALL THE MADE IN THE USVI PRODUCTS.

I RECALL LAST YEAR, OR THE YEAR BEFORE, SORRY -- COVID, THROWING ME OFF A LITTLE BIT -- THE POPULARITY AND THE SALES WHEN THE VENDORS WERE INSIDE, IMMEDIATELY ACROSS FROM THE BAA FACILITY, WE COULDN´T KEEP OUR PRODUCTS ON THE SHELVES BECAUSE THEY WERE SO POPULAR WITH OUR VISITORS WHO WOULD STROLL THROUGH TOWN.

AND AS PART OF THE REVITALIZATION OF MAIN STREET, WE FEEL THAT HAVING THE GROUND FLOOR OF ENID BAA WOULD BE BETTER SERVED AS A RETAIL SPACE.

BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS.

>> I NOTICED, THOUGH, IF YOU LOOK FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT DOESN´T LOOK LIKE IT NEEDS TO BE REHABBED BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FRESH COAT OF PAINT ON THERE.

>> YES.

WE REALLY, REALLY WANT TO THANK WALTER BOSTWICK AND FIRST RESORT PAINTING.

LAST JUNE THEY REACHED OUT TO US, WE WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE THIS PROJECT, AND THEY PROVIDED ALL OF THE LABOR.

I THINK THERE WAS A SMALL GRANT THAT WAS AWARDED FOR THE PAINT AND SUPPLIES.

AND THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

WE REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT THEY PUT INTO RESTORING THAT BUILDING.

IT LOOKS FANTASTIC.

BUT WE KNOW -- >> GOT SOME MORE THINGS TO DO.

WHAT ABOUT ST. JOHN WITH THE SPRAHL LIBRARY?

>> WE´RE CLOSE TO FINALIZING THE SCOPE OF WORK GOING OUT TO BID FOR A CONTRACTOR.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY SOLICITED INTEREST BY CONTRACTORS ON ST. JOHN ALREADY, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE BID BEING RELEASED.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN FINALIZE ALL OF THESE CONTRACTING PROCESSES ON THESE SMALLER PROJECTS, IF YOU WILL, WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, TWO TO THREE MONTHS, AND START SEEING SOME WORK SO THAT BY THE TIME THE SUMMER ROLLS AROUND, THE DOORS ARE OPEN AND PEOPLE CAN START USING THE FACILITIES.

>> YES.

OF COURSE ON ST. CROIX, WE HAVE THE ASHLEY McFARLANE PETERSON LIBRARY WHERE -- A KNOWN AREA, AND MANY SCHOOLS THAT UTILIZE IT, AND FOR VARIOUS DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES.

WHAT´S GOING ON THERE WITH THAT ONE?

>> PETERSON, RIGHT NOW WE´RE IN THE DESIGN PHASE FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK.

AND WE ARE HOPING TO FINALIZE THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, PROBABLY BY THE END OF FEBRUARY.

THE REPAIRS ARE NOT AS EXTENSIVE AS WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE.

SO WE ARE HOPING THAT, AGAIN, AFTER TWO OR THREE MONTHS CONTRACTING -- CONTRACTOR IN THERE, THAT THE FACILITY WILL BE OPEN.

MY GOAL IS TO HAVE THE FACILITY OPEN BY THE TIME WE´RE STARTING THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR 2021.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE GOALS, COMMISSIONER.

YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE GOALS, AND THOSE ARE GREAT GOALS TO HAVE.

I KNOW YOUR TEAM IS WORKING VERY HARD.

ONE THING I´D LIKE TO SHARE IS THAT IF YOU´RE A CONTRACTOR AND YOU´RE AWARE OF ALL OF THESE POTENTIAL PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING OUT TO BID, YOU CAN GO ON A OUR PROPERTY AND PROCUREMENT WEBSITE, AS WELL AS THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERIES WEBSITE THAT HAVE ALL OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.

BUT YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY DON´T REALLY HAVE A HOME ON ST. JOHN.

HOW ARE YOU BALANCING THAT AND STILL BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT YOUR OFFICE IS MANDATED TO DO?

>> LUCKILY WE HAVE SOME VERY DEDICATED EMPLOYEES WHO DON´T MIND, YOU KNOW, RIDING THE FERRY SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, GOING BACK AND FORTH, AND SORT OF OPERATING OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES WHEN THEY´RE MEETING WITH THE CLIENTELE ON ST. JOHN´S.

BUT WE RECENTLY, JUST EARLIER THIS WEEK, DID A WALK-THROUGH WITH ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS FOR DESIGN SERVICES.

THE SCOPE OF WORK IS PRETTY LIMITED, AND SO WE FEEL THAT THIS WILL BE ANOTHER PROJECT THAT CAN PROCESS FAIRLY QUICKLY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESTORE SERVICES TO THE ST. JOHN´S COMMUNITY BY JUNE OF THIS COMING YEAR.

>> GOOD.

MORE GOALS.

YOU´VE GOT TO HAVE THEM.

SO DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR COURTS.

YOU MAINTAIN THEM, YOU COMPLETELY OPERATE THEM.

I KNOW THERE´S BEEN SOME DAMAGES TO THEM.

TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING THAT YOU´VE RECEIVED AND OVERALL PLANS SO THAT THEY CAN BE BROUGHT ONLINE.

>> THE FORTS ARE THE TREASURES AND JEWELS OF THE TERRITORY.

THEY´RE THE OLDEST STANDING STRUCTURES IN SOME OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

YOU KNOW, WE LOOK AT FT. CHRISTIAN AND SEE THAT IT WENT THROUGH A RENOVATION IN 2016, AND YET IT STILL THEN RECEIVED SOME DAMAGE FROM THE STORM.

THEN FT. FREDERICK RECEIVED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE TEAM OF WIDOW BRYAN, THE STATE OFFICE OF PRESERVATION STAFF, FOR WORKING CLOSE TOGETHER AND FIGHTING FOR THE FUNDING THAT THEY DID WITH FEMA.

INITIALLY, WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE -- AT LEAST IT WAS PROJECTED THAT WE WOULD ONLY RECEIVE UNDER $1 MILLION FOR THAT RESTORATION.

FT. FREDERICK, AFTER THE TEAM GOT TOGETHER, CONSULTED, WENT THROUGH FORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND EVERYTHING, WE´VE NOW BEEN AWARDED SOME $6 MILLION FOR THE REPAIR OF FT. FREDERICK.

FT. CHRISTIAN RIGHT NOW IS BEING UNDER SOME ADDITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SURVEYING TO ENSURE THAT WE DON´T MISS SOME OF THE DAMAGES THAT MIGHT BE CONCEALED BECAUSE OF THE RECENT RENOVATIONS.

BUT WE ARE HOPEFUL TO COMPLETE THAT PROCESS WITHIN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS OR SO.

AND REALLY BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUBSTRUCTURE.

BUT IT WAS REALLY GREAT WORKING WITH THE WIDOW BRYAN TEAM WHO PULLED TOGETHER ALL THE EXPERTS ON ST. CROIX WHO HAD DOCUMENTS, WHO HAVE LITERATURE, PHOTOGRAPHS, EVERYTHING THAT COULD BE USED AS DOCUMENTATION IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT FEMA PA FUNDED THE RESTORATION OF FT. FREDERICK PROPERLY.

WE FEEL THAT $6 MILLION IS DEFINITELY A GREAT WAY TO REPRESENT WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.

>> RIGHT.

IT´S ALL ABOUT DOCUMENTATION.

WHEN WE SPEAK WITH THE FEMA FOLKS, THEY BASICALLY SAY, JUST GIVE US THE INFORMATION AND THE DOCUMENTATION SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE PROPERLY FUNDED.

SO A TRUE PARTNERSHIP.

YOUR TEAM, THE WIDOW BRYAN TEAM, THE WORK THAT THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAS DONE TO REALLY GET TO US THIS POINT.

AND NOW IT´S TIME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

SO I´M GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU´RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DESIGN STAGE AND THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE THESE PROJECTS GO INTO CONSTRUCTION THIS YEAR.

YOU´VE GOT TO HAVE GOALS.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE´S ALSO -- YOU´RE PROVIDING RECONSTRUCTION GRANTS FOR ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES IN OUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS.

AND THAT IS CRITICAL.

YOU JUST FINISHED TALKING ABOUT THE FORTS.

BUT THEN STILL, THERE´S SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR OTHER BUILDINGS.

LET´S TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

AND BEFORE THAT, THOUGH, WE HAVE THE OLD GUGAL FUN FACTORY.

WHAT´S THE PLAN?

>> PRIOR TO THE STORM THE DEPARTMENT WAS USING THE SITE IN LaGRANGE AS A STORAGE SITE.

WE HAD THE INTENTIONS OF MOVING SOME OF OUR DIVISIONS OR AT LEAST ONE OF OUR DIVISIONS TO THAT FACILITY.

AND RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE IT IS A HISTORIC SITE AND WE DON´T WANT IT TO DETERIORATE EVEN FURTHER, OUR IMMEDIATE GOAL IS JUST SECURE IT, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN´T SUFFER ANY FURTHER DEGRADATION.

AND FIGURE OUT A LONG-TERM PLAN.

BECAUSE IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY.

IT IS A LARGE PROPERTY.

IT PROBABLY COULD ACCOMMODATE THE DEPARTMENT ON A PERMANENT BASIS IN THAT LOCATION.

AND WE´RE EVALUATING WHETHER OR NOT THAT´S THE BEST USE OF THE PROPERTY FOR DPNR´S OPTIONS.

>> YOU HAVE OPTIONS THERE, SO THAT´S FANTASTIC.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE LIBRARY BUILDING AND OUR FACTORY BUILDINGS, THOSE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO THE WELL AREA AS WELL.

AND WE SEE THAT THERE´S STILL A LOT MORE WORK TO BE DONE WITHIN OUR DISTRICTS AND TO OUR HISTORIC -- LOST THE TONGUE HERE.

LET´S TALK ABOUT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH YOUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIRECTOR, SEAN TRIGGER, WHO I TURN TO ALL THE TIME FOR GOOD INFORMATION.

HE´S FANTASTIC.

SO LET´S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DPNR, HAS LAUNCHED ITS HISTORIC RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS PROGRAM WOULD INCLUDE DIRECT FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO TWO GOVERNMENT SITES HERE ON ST. THOMAS.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, SWALMALI, IN ADDITION PROVIDING GRANT ASSISTANCE, REIMBURSEMENT OF HISTORIC WORK FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED FOR IRMA AND MARIA.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE ST. THOMAS SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE INCLUDING FLOODING, WIND DAMAGE TO INTERIOR SPACES, EXTERIOR DAMAGES TO OUR HISTORIC WINDOWS AND SHUTTERS.

THE SIGNIFICANT OF THE DAMAGES WAS FLOODING CAUSED BECAUSE OF RARE ROOFING LOSS.

THROUGH THIS WORK, GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY RESTORED.

ALL INTERIOR FINISHES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REBUILT, INCLUDING MAJOR ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING UPGRADES.

AND THE EXTERIOR, WE´RE HAPPY TO REPORT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE RECEIVING NEW HISTORIC-ACCURATE WINDOWS, HISTORIC SHUTTERS, WALL DETAILS WILL BE REPAIRED.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE ALSO IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF STARTING THE RESTORATION WORK ON THE FRONT PORCH AREA.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE IS ONE OF OUR MAJOR SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC BUILDINGS HERE IN THE TOWN OF CHARLOTTE AMALLY AND THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO HELP BRING BACK GOVERNMENT HOUSE TO THE ICONIC SITE THAT IT IS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT BEING IN THE FUTURE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE´RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO HELP US WITH THE DPNR SUBBASEMENT, ONE OF OUR HISTORIC WORLD WAR II AREA STRUCTURES.

FOR THIS PROJECT, WE WILL BE ASSISTING WITH THE EXTERIOR RESTORATION OF THAT SITE, WHICH ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGES DURING THE IRMA AND MARIA HURRICANE EVENTS HERE IN 2017.

WE´RE FORTUNATE AND THANKFUL FOR THE ASSISTANCE THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THROUGH THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE FOR THIS FUNDING ASSISTANCE.

THESE PROJECTS ARE BEING FUNDED BY TOTAL GRANT OF OVER $10 MILLION, WITH DIRECT FUNDING TO OUR HISTORIC SIDES.

WE´RE RIGHT NOW IN PART ONE OF OUR APPLICATION PERIOD.

THAT DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MARCH.

WE´RE ENCOURAGING IF YOUR HISTORIC SITE WAS DAMAGED FROM THE 2017 HURRICANES, VISIT THE DPNR WEBSITE, DPNR.VI.GOV, COMPLETE A PART 1 APPLICATION.

>> WHAT WE´VE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SHOW IS THAT A LOT OF OUR PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WE´RE REALLY PUSHING TO GET THEM -- GOVERNOR BRYAN HAS MANDATED WE KEEP MAKING SURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNMENT CHARGED WITH DOING ALL THIS WORK, THAT THEY HAVE COMFORTABLE FACILITIES IN ORDER TO PERFORM THESE SERVICES.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, THE FACT THAT WE CAN NOT ONLY REPAIR IT BUT KEEP THAT HISTORIC BENEFIT TO THE TERRITORY.

AND YOU ARE THE GATEKEEPER.

YOU ARE THE HOLDER OF ALL OF THESE CROWN JEWELS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE SPENDING THE REST OF THESE FUNDS FOR THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE IN THE TERRITORY?

>> SURE.

SO WITH THE FUNDING FROM THE VI HISTORIC DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM, WE HAVE BROKEN THE PROGRAM UP INTO THREE TIERS.

SO SEAN TALKED ABOUT ONE SPECIFIC ONE WHICH IS THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, WITH GOVERNMENT HOUSE AS WELL AS THE FUTURE HOME OF DPNR IN ST. THOMAS, THE OLD BUILDING AND SUBBASE.

THE OTHER TWO TIERS ARE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

AND SO IF YOU ARE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND YOU ARE A REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE, YOU´RE ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD.

AND THE FIRST PHASE IS TO DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY, AND THEN IF YOU ARE DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE, THEN YOU CAN PUT IN AN APPLICATION.

BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN´T ONLY GOING TO BE ASSISTING THE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREAS AND IN THE TOWNS, BUT ALSO PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO -- THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS AS WELL.

A THRIVING TOWN ALWAYS HAS A GOOD MIXED-USE INSIDE OF IT.

A LOT OF THESE PROPERTIES, THEY STOOD UP FAIRLY WELL TO THE STORMS.

AND THIS FUNDING WILL ALLOW THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN THOSE AREAS TO MAKE THOSE MINOR REPAIRS, OR MAYBE COVER COSTS THAT INSURANCE COULDN´T COVER BECAUSE THOSE PAYOUTS WEREN´T -- WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELIGIBILITY WAS ALSO NOT INCOME CAPPED LIKE IT WAS ON A LOT OF THE OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHERE, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY MAY MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY, AND THEREFORE THEY WEREN´T ELIGIBLE FOR SOME OF THE CBDG OR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDS.

AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE BEING EQUITABLE TO EVERYONE WHO CAN REALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE RESTORATION OF THE DOWNTOWN AREAS.

SO WE´RE EXCITED.

WE HAVE 15 APPLICANTS THUS FAR.

THE MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT IS GOING TO BE $200,000.

AND ALL THREE DISTRICTS -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT FAMILIAR, CRUZ BAY IS ALSO A HISTORIC DISTRICT.

THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OF CRUZ BAY, CHARLOTTE AMALLY, CHRISTIANSTAD, FREDERICKSTAD, WILL APPLY.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO APPLY TO MARCH 31st.

>> YOU HAVE UNTIL MARCH 31st IF YOU ARE IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS ON ANY OF THE ISLANDS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW, AS WE DRIVE THROUGH THE TOWNS WE SEE A LOT OF THE -- WE TALK ABOUT THE COST OF MAINTAINING OR RESTORING HISTORIC BUILDINGS.

IT´S SOMETIMES PROHIBITIVE.

YOU DRIVE BY AND YOU SAY, WELL, THE ADDED REQUIREMENTS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO DO WORK ON THEIR OWN.

IF YOU OWN A HOME, DOES IT HAVE TO BE DAMAGED BY THE STORM, OR -- >> YES, THAT´S PART OF THE ELIGIBILITY.

AND THE KEY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE´RE REPAIRING THE HISTORIC ELEMENTS.

IF THERE ARE OTHER DAMAGES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED BUT WERE COVERING HISTORIC ELEMENTS WITHIN THAT PROPERTY, THEN ALL OF THAT CAN BE ELIGIBLE AS PART OF THE AWARD.

>> OKAY.

WELL, GOOD.

THEN THE APPLICATION ON YOUR WEBSITE?

>> YES, DPNR.VI.GOV.

>> WE´VE TALKED ABOUT SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.

BUT ONE AREA THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT YOU´RE RESPONSIBLE FOR IS PERMITTING.

IF YOU´RE GOING TO MOVE DIRT, IF YOU´RE GOING TO BUILD ANYTHING, YOU HAVE TO CONTACT DPNR.

AND RIGHT AFTER THE STORM, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE ANTICIPATED THAT A LOT OF WORK WILL BE NEEDED.

IT´S GOING TO INCREASE THE ACTIVITY OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.

HOW HAS THE DEPARTMENT ADJUSTED TO THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR PERMITTING?

>> SURE.

SO THE FIRST THING WE KNEW WE NEEDED IS JUST BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

AND SO WE´RE GRATEFUL FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF VI FEMA AND FEMA IN OBTAINING A HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT.

IT ALLOWED US TO HIRE I THINK AROUND 13 NEW EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE TWO DISTRICTS.

AND JUST HAVE MORE INSPECTORS AVAILABLE TO WORK -- TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS, TO WORK WITH THE CONTRACTORS.

IN ADDITION, WE´VE BEEN WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE VI HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY, THE VI HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND SETTING UP SOME PROCEDURES IN-HOUSE TO ADDRESS SOME OF OUR LARGER PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING ONLINE, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO HOUSING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS IS SEAMLESS WITHIN THE PERMITTING FUNCTIONS SO THAT WE CAN GET THE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE SELECTED FOR ENVISION TOMORROW PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE HOUSING PROJECTS, UNDER WAY AND OUT THE DOOR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> SO YOU HAVE VACANCIES FOR THE -- >> YES, WE DO.

ACTUALLY, JUST CLEARED SOME OF OUR PAPERWORK HURDLES IN ORDER TO REPOST SOME OF THE VACANCIES, NOW THAT WE KNOW THERE ARE SOME PROJECTS COMING ONLINE, SO IT´S TIME FOR US TO HAVE SORT OF A SECOND WAVE OF ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES TO ASSIST US, MAKING SURE THAT THE CONSTRUCTION IS JUST CODE COMPLIANT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU REQUIRING, YOU KNOW, IF YOU´RE ABOUT TO CONSTRUCT A HOME OR ANYTHING, WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS IN WHICH YOU´LL HAVE TO REACH OUT TO DPNR?

>> ANY DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY REQUIRES A PERMIT.

OR AT LEAST AUTHORIZATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

EVEN IF IT´S REPAIR WORK, YOU STILL WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

THAT SHOULD BE A SET OF PLANS THAT ARE STAMPED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THERE SHOULD ALSO BE MINIMALLY, IF YOU´RE A CONTRACTOR ACCEPTING A JOB, YOU WANT TO SEE THAT THERE´S THE YELLOW PERMIT PLACARD THAT YOU SEE ALL OVER TOWN.

THOSE ARE ISSUED SPECIFICALLY BY THE DEPARTMENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE TO IS GOING TO BE DEVELOPING THEIR PROPERTY, THAT YOU´RE MAKING SURE THAT YOU´RE OBTAINING THE PROPER APPROVALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT, AND THE CONTRACTORS SHOULD ALSO BE ENSURING THAT THOSE APPROVALS HAVE BEEN SECURED BEFORE YOU BEGIN DOING ANY WORK ON A PROPERTY.

>> OKAY.

LET´S HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE BUILDING CODES AND LOOK AT HOW DPNR HAS USED THAT HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT TO STREAMLINE PERMITTING AND INSPECTIONS FOR RECOVERY PROJECTS.

WE SPOKE TO CHIEF OF YOUR DPNR DIVISION OF BUILDING PERMITS, MRS. AMANDA JACKSON ACOSTA.

LET´S HEAR WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE CODES THAT WE USE WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD, THE DIVISION OF BUILDING PERMITS, IS THE VIC TITLE 29, THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE, THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, THE UNIVERSAL PLUMBING CODE, THE CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION FOR STRONGER HOMES FOR TRADITION, THE VIRGIN ISLAND FLOOD DAMAGE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THE CHANGES WE´VE MADE TO OUR CODES ARE THE VI TITLE 29, THE VI FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION, AND THE STRONGER HOME FOR ADDITION.

THESE CHANGES BRING CONSISTENCY WITHIN OUR BUILDING CODES.

IT ADDRESSES OUR FLOOD DEVELOPMENT AREAS, OUR ROOF SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH WINDOWS AS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE STORMS.

UNDER THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT, WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN TWO GRANTS.

THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH THESE WERE THE UPDATES OF OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR HAZARD MANAGEMENT.

WE´VE STANDARDIZED THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PROCESS.

WE´VE ADDRESSED ISSUES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE VISIT WE´VE HAD RECENTLY IN THE TERRITORIES.

WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE TRADE-IN FOR COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE GLAD PLAIN AREA.

UNDER THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANTS WE´VE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE 12 NEW HIRES DISTRICT-WISE.

WE´VE HIRED TECHNICIANS, PLAN REVIEWERS, AND INSPECTORS.

WE´VE PROVIDED TRAINING FOR THE ICC, INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL.

THIS TRAINING HAS BEEN IN SPECIALTIES ON THE CONSTRUCTION FIELDS.

WE´RE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO APPLY TRAININGS SO THEY CAN HAVE CODE CERTIFICATION.

THE STAFF HAS RECEIVED EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES THROUGH THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT.

WE´VE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO STREAMLINE OUR PROCESS OF PERMITTING AND INSPECTION IN REGARDS TO THE RECOVERY PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE ENVISION TOMORROW PROGRAM.

>> YOU´VE ACTUALLY DONE A LOT IN PREPARATION FOR THE DEMAND THAT THE RECOVERY IS GOING TO BRING IN.

I KNOW THAT MRS. ACOSTA IS FULL BORE ON MOVING FORWARD AND GETTING THE PERMITTING DONE, AND WE ANTICIPATE THE ENVISION TOMORROW PROGRAM RAMPING UP.

DIRECTOR GRIFFITH ISN´T ON THIS EPISODE WITH US, BUT HE´S ALWAYS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE WORK THEY´RE DOING TO PUSH THIS FORWARD.

IT´S GOOD TO HEAR YOU´RE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH HIM FOR PERMITTING AND MOVING THOSE PROJECTS FORWARD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT´S AS SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE AND RESTORE THE HOMES TO OUR RESIDENTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> YES.

WELL, YOU KNOW, OUR ENVISION TOMORROW PROGRAM TOUCHES A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID HE DOES NOT WANT TO SEE ANY MORE BLUE ROOFS, AND THAT MANDATE HAS BEEN GIVEN.

THE BETTER THE PROCESSES STREAMLINED BETWEEN ALL OF OUR AGENCIES THAT IT ACTUALLY TOUCHES MAKES GOOD SENSE, MAKES GOOD SENSE FROM THE OPERATION PERSPECTIVE, DEFINITELY MAKES GOOD SENSE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AS IF YOU DIDN´T HAVE ENOUGH WORK WITH KEEPING OUR FORTS AND OUR LIBRARIES AND PERMITTING, YOU´RE ALSO RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR SHORES.

AND YOU HAVE THE DERELICT VESSELS, MOVING THOSE DERELICT VESSELS.

WHAT IS THE OVERALL APPROACH FOR DPNR AND HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU GOTTEN TO ASSIST YOU WITH THOSE EFFORTS?

>> WE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR $4.2 MILLION FROM NOAA.

AND IT SPECIFICALLY IS FOR THE RECOVERY AND REDUCTION FOR MARINE DEBRIS.

THE THREE TESTS THAT WE INCLUDED IN THE AWARD ARE ONE, ONE OF OUR MAJOR DERELICT VESSEL SITES IN CRUMB BAY, ST. THOMAS, WHICH IS IN NEED OF A MAJOR, MAJOR CLEANUP.

AS IT DETERIORATES, IT CONTINUES TO BRING ADDED PROBLEMS FOR THE TERRITORY IN THAT LOCATION.

THE SECOND PROJECT WAS, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VESSELS WHO DECLINED THE REMOVAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE COAST GUARD AFTER THE STORM.

AND SO THE COAST GUARD RELINQUISHED THE VESSELS TO THE OWNERS.

AND SOME OF THEM ENDED UP NOT BEING SEAWORTHY.

AND SO THEY SUNK ONCE AGAIN.

AND THEY -- AND ALSO, COAST GUARD DID NOT TAKE UP VESSELS SMALLER THAN 22 FEET.

AND SO YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF EITHER SMALLER VESSELS OR PARTS OF BOATS THAT REMAINED IN THE WATER.

AND THEN THE THIRD TEST THAT WE INCLUDED WAS COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

WE WANTED THE COMMUNITIES TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED AND TAKE PART IN THE CLEANUP EFFORTS.

AND SO THE DERELICT VESSEL REMOVAL PROJECT IN BOTH ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS ARE NEAR FINALIZING THE CONTRACTING PHASE.

AND SO THE GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL OF THE DERELICT VESSELS IDENTIFIED WITHIN THOSE CONTRACTS REMOVED PRIOR TO THE STORM SEASON OF THIS YEAR.

SO BETWEEN MAY AND JULY, WE´LL BE REMOVING THE DERELICT VESSELS IN ST. THOMAS AND ST. CROIX.

WE ARE ALSO STILL TRYING TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

YOU CAN GET SMALL SUBAWARDS FROM US FOR I BELIEVE UP TO $100,000.

AND THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THE COMMUNITIES TO GET IN THE WATER AND, SAY, REMOVE THE ROOFTOP OR THE WASHING MACHINE OR THE REFRIGERATOR THAT BLEW OFF OF THE HOUSE AND LANDED IN THE WATER AND WASN´T ELIGIBLE TO BE PICKED UP UNDER SOME OF THOSE OTHER THINGS.

WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF CLEANUPS.

AND NOW THAT COMMISSIONER WHITE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS PARKS AND RECREATION HAS ANNOUNCED HIS CLEAN BEACHES CAMPAIGN, WE´RE GOING TO BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM AS WELL IN KEEPING OUR AREAS, OUR BEACH AREAS, AS PRISTINE AS POSSIBLE.

>> SO THIS YEAR, IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT, WOULD YOU HAVE TO BE AN ORGANIZATION, OR CAN INDIVIDUALS APPLY?

>> I KNOW SMALLER ONES TO INDIVIDUALS.

JUST WHETHER IT´S TWO OR THREE FOLKS REPRESENTING LIKE A HOMEOWNERS -- IN A CERTAIN AREA.

WE´VE ALSO DONE THINGS TO ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL.

I THINK THAT THE -- WE´RE TRYING TO MAKE IT VERY SIMPLE.

WE WANT TO ALSO ORGANIZE GROUPS, SMALLER GROUPS, TO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT OTHER SMALL GROUPS ARE DOING, AND MAYBE BECOME SOMETHING THAT´S A LOT BIGGER.

AND TRY AND KEEP PEOPLE CONNECTED THERE.

WE´RE ALSO WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY TO CREATE -- OR FINALIZE, ACTUALLY, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MARINE DEBRIS ACTION PLAN.

SO THAT IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER DAMAGED AREA, THAT THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO HAVE -- REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTES THAT ENTER THE MARINE AREAS, THAT WE´VE DONE SOME OF THOSE THINGS ON THE FOREFRONT AND IDENTIFIED THE COLLECTION POINTS AFTERWARDS, YOU KNOW.

VESSELS, ESPECIALLY FIBERGLASS VESSELS, CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM IN TERMS OF THEIR REMOVAL FROM THE TERRITORY.

AND SO WE WANT TO HAVE AN ACTION PLAN THAT WE CAN JUST TURN TO IN THE FUTURE AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS THE PROCESS WE WANT TO FOLLOW, AND NOT NEED TO TRY AND FIGURE THAT OUT YEARS FROM NOW.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACED WHEN YOU TRY TO REMOVE THESE VEHICLES?

>> SO THE ONE INSTANCE I LIKE TO SAY IS THAT, IF WE HAD MORE AREAS WHERE WE COULD HAVE OWNERS HAUL THEIR VESSELS OUT AND PUT THEM ON SHORE AS A STRATEGY, RATHER THAN HAVING THEM TIED UP IN THE WATER, IT COSTS ABOUT $3,000 TO GET TWO OR THREE WRECKERS TOGETHER TO RIGHT A BOAT THAT MAY HAVE FALLEN OFF OF ITS TRAILER.

IT COSTS $30,000 TO ACTUALLY PUT A BARGE IN THE WATER TO GO AND GET ONE VESSEL THAT MIGHT BE PARTIALLY SUNK.

>> WOW.

>> SO, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE JUST MUCH MORE FEASIBLE IF WE CAN IDENTIFY AREAS ON LAND IN THE TIME OF A STORM.

BUT THEN ALSO IMPROVING OUR REFUGE AREAS WHERE VESSELS MAY BE TOO BIG TO HAUL OUT AND PRIORITIZE THEM.

BUT ONCE A VESSEL IS DAMAGED, AND ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A FIBERGLASS VESSEL, AND WE HAVE A LARGE VOLUME OF FIBERGLASS, IT´S NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISPOSE OF IN OUR LANDFILLS, GIVEN SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

SO THAT HAS TO BE HAULED OUT OF THE TERRITORY, WHICH BECOMES MORE COSTLY.

>> OKAY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A MYRIAD OF RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ALSO INCLUDES OUR WATERSHEDS AND FLOODING AND FLOODING CONTROL.

AND WE KNOW THAT FEMA AWARDED DPNR A WATERSHED MANAGEMENT STUDY PROGRAM THAT COVERS EIGHT BASINS.

ST. CROIX, LONG POINT BAY, DIAMOND, BETHLEHEM, HAVENZA, SALT RIVER, KING, AIRPORT, THOMAS HARBOR, MALONGO BAY, AREAS KNOWN FOR FLOODING.

IDENTIFY WAYS TO REDUCE REPETITIVE LOSS OF FLOODING.

HOW DOES DPNR PLAN TO EXTEND THESE FUNDS AND GET THESE STUDIES DONE?

>> SO WE´RE WORKING WITH THE WATERSHED CONSULTANT TO IDENTIFY THESE AREAS WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE TRADITIONALLY SORT OF CUT ROADS AND THE WATER JUST FLOWS, YOU KNOW, IT´S FLOWING DOWNHILL OFF MY PROPERTY SO I´M NOT REALLY THINKING ABOUT IT.

BUT WHAT WE´RE TRYING TO DO IS CREATE -- THROUGH THESE WATERSHED PLANS, IDENTIFY WHERE THEY CAN BE PUT BACK INTO THE GROUND AS GROUNDWATER AND SUPPORT GREEN SPACES.

WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY COLLECT THEM FOR SECONDARY USE.

WHETHER IT´S, YOU KNOW, FOR FARMING, WHETHER IT´S FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION.

THERE´S A LOT OF SECONDARY USES FOR STORM WATER.

AND SO THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF FLOODING.

BUT BY CREATING THESE AREAS WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN EITHER BE CAPTURED OR GO BACK IN FOR INFILTRATION, WE´RE ALSO GETTING THE BENEFIT OF THAT STORM WATER AS WELL.

>> SO WITH ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND PROJECTS AND MOVEMENTS OF EARTH GOING ON, HOW IS THE DEPARTMENT HANDLING THE FLOOD REQUIREMENTS AND MANAGING ALL THE STORM WATERWAYS, ET CETERA?

>> SO ON MULTIPLE FRONTS, TRYING TO IDENTIFY THE AREAS OF FLOODING IS ONE OF OUR GOALS.

AND WORKING DIRECTLY WITH PUBLIC WORKS, AS THEY NOW TRY TO WORK ON THEIR DESIGNING FOR ROADWAYS AND SYSTEMS, AND WHERE THOSE COLLECTION POINTS ARE.

AND EVEN IDENTIFYING AREAS TO PRIORITIZE FOR LAND ACQUISITION.

BECAUSE IT´S IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO TREAT ALL OF THE WATER THAT HITS OUR ROADWAYS WITHOUT PUTTING IT INTO SOME GREEN STATE, OTHERWISE IT´S GOING TO HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE SHORELINE AND EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SAY DPNR IS NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR COASTAL WATERS.

WE HAVE TO LOOK FROM THE RIDGE TO THE REEF, TOP ALL THE WAY DOWN.

WE´VE ALSO NOW WORKED WITH FEMA TO CHANGE OUR FLOOD REGULATIONS.

WE WORKED TIRELESSLY LAST YEAR.

IT MAKES US MORE CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL FLOOD PROGRAM FROM FEMA.

WE´RE EXCITED BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH, THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THOSE NEW REGULATIONS INTO EXISTENCE FOR US, AND WE´LL BE, LIKE I SAID, CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL PROGRAM AND BE BETTER THINGS AS WELL AS IT RELATES TO FLOODING AND THE GENERATION OF FLOODWATERS FROM PROJECTS.

>> I KNOW, HATS OFF TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM, BECAUSE I KNOW FEMA HAS BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FLOOD REGULATIONS BEING OUTLATED.

IT DOES HAVE CORRELATION TO US BEING ABLE TO GET FUNDING THROUGH THE NFIP, NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM.

THIS IS A FEATHER IN YOUR CAP TO MAKING SURE THAT THIS HAPPENS AND OUR REGULATIONS ARE UP TO DATE.

>> I THINK THE RESIDENTS IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS WILL ALSO SEE THE BENEFIT.

>> NOW, YOU KNOW THE WHOLE FLOOD REGULATIONS AND WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS, UNLESS YOU´RE IN A FLOOD AREA, YOU´RE NOT REALLY CONCERNED -- IF YOU LIVE ON A HILL, YOU´RE NOT REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FLOODING.

BUT FLOOD REGULATIONS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHY YOU HAVE THESE REQUIREMENTS HAS MANIFESTED ITSELF IN THE PAUL E. JOSEPH STADIUM.

WE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS WHEN THE PROJECT WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, DIDN´T DPNR KNOW THIS WAS IN A FLOOD ZONE?

LET´S RECOLLECT THE RECORD.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE FLOOD REQUIREMENTS AND AS IT RELATES TO THE PAUL E. JOSEPH ISSUE?

>> THE ISSUE IS THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TRYING TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.

RATHER THAN REVIEW EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE, WE AGREED YEARS AGO TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE PROJECT IN PHASES.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME OF THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS, DPNR ACTUALLY ISSUED A FLOOD ZONE PERMIT FOR THE FOUNDATION PLAN, WHICH IS ALL OF THE SUBSURFACE WORK THAT IS OR HAS TAKEN PLACE THUS FAR.

AND SO WE´RE VERY AWARE, CONTRARY TO WHAT WAS SAID, DPNR IS VERY AWARE WHERE PAUL E. JOSEPH IS, IS A FLOOD ZONE.

BUT THE FLOOD CERTIFICATE WAS SPECIFIC FOR THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO DATE.

NOW THE PROJECT IS IN ITS SECOND PHASE OF THAT DESIGN.

AND A PORTION OF THAT PROJECT NOW IS ALSO IN ADDITIONAL FLOOD AREAS.

AND TO MITIGATE THAT FLOOD IMPACT, IT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY BRING UP THE COST OF THAT PROJECT.

AND SO THE CONTRACTOR, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE PROJECT MANAGER ON THIS, HAD A DECISION TO MAKE.

WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, PUT IN ADDITIONAL COSTS TO MITIGATE SOME OF THOSE FLOOD ZONES, OR REQUEST A VARIANCE, BASICALLY, FROM FEMA ON THE FLOOD DETERMINATION.

BECAUSE THE ENTIRE PROPERTY ITSELF IS NOT IN THAT FLOOD ZONE.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND SO IF THEY SHOWED OR DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY INSTALLED ENOUGH INFRASTRUCTURE TO DEAL WITH THE RECEDING WATERS THAT THEY HAD CALCULATED, THAT THE NEED THEN TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FULL AMOUNT OF FLOOD REGULATION VERSUS GOING TO FEMA AND ASKING THEM FOR THIS VARIANCE, THE DIFFERENCE TO THE TERRITORY IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

AND SO WHILE DPNR DOES NOT GIVE THE FINAL APPROVAL ON THE ISSUANCE OF THAT PERMIT, WE DO SUPPORT THE OBJECTIVE OF IT, WHICH IS THE ISSUE OF THAT VARIANCE.

AGAIN, IT´S ONLY A PORTION OF THAT PROPERTY, AND THEY ARE MITIGATING THE WATER ON THAT PORTION OF THE PROPERTY.

SO ALTHOUGH IT DELAYS THE PROJECT TIMELINE SOMEWHAT, IT DOESN´T COST THE GOVERNMENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO GET THAT VARIANCE.

>> WE´RE STILL NOW WAITING FOR FEMA TO REVIEW THE APPLICATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED, AND THE GOVERNOR HAD A MEETING WITH THE ACTING REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR FEMA LAST WEEK, AND HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THAT TOPIC UP AND ASK THAT THEY MAKE SURE THAT SOME TIMELINESS IS APPOINTED TO REVIEWING THESE APPLICATIONS SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY THERE, MR. COMMISSIONER.

AND IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

BUT WE ARE REALLY PLEASED TO HEAR ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE MOVING, OF THE PLANS, THE LIBRARIES THAT ARE IN DESIGN, SOME OF THE OTHER GRANT PROGRAMS THAT WE HOPE OUR VIEWERS WOULD GO ON TO YOUR WEBSITE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE VARIOUS AREAS.

JUST WRAP US UP.

TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO -- THE PUBLIC TO HEAR REGARDING DPNR AND ALL OF ITS RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>> SURE.

SO I KNOW A KEY THING IS THOSE PUBLIC GATHERING SPACES FOR DPNR.

THAT´S OUR LIBRARIES AND OUR FORTS.

AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND SHUTTERED.

AND SOMETIMES IT BOILS DOWN TO ECONOMICS AND MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.

AND THEY´RE VERY TOUGH DECISIONS.

BUT OUR GOAL IS TO RESTORE THESE FACILITIES.

HAVE THEM OPEN, HAVE THEM MODERNIZED, AND AVAILABLE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE USE AND ENJOYMENT.

THAT´S OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL ALWAYS, AND WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE BACK INSIDE OF THEM.

WHETHER IT´S THE TURNBULL REGIONAL LIBRARY, THE FLORENCE WILLIAMS PUBLIC LIBRARY, THE F. LEE PETERSON LIBRARY, YOU KNOW.

EVEN FOR ME, THE ENID BAA LIBRARY FACILITY.

BECAUSE IT IS A PLACE THAT I´M TIED TO FROM MY CHILDHOOD.

WE ALSO WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ON ST. JOHN IN PARTICULAR THAT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO RESTORE SERVICES.

WE UNDERSTAND THE COST THAT FOLKS HAVE TO INCUR WHEN THEY´RE COMING TO ST. JOHN.

SO IT´S OUR PRIMARY GOAL TO RESTORE THAT FUNCTION.

>> AWESOME.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ORIOLE, FOR YOUR INFORMATIVE AND PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION.

VISIT US ONLINE, AND KEEP THIS DISCUSSION AT FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

TAKE CARE.

WE´LL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.