Save Salt River Bay - STX

Done.

Here is the link
http://www.savesaltriverbay.com/

Thank you! To clarify, the purpose of this is not to oppose the project entirely, but to recommend it be located to another area that will not negatively impact the surrounding ecosystem.

> We are writing to you to raise awareness regarding the
> potential environmental, cultural, historical and economic
> impact the development of a new Marine Research Education
> Center (MREC) will have on Salt River Bay, St. Croix, USVI.
>
> We ask for your help to recommend the relocation of this
> project to Christiansted or another less endangered area.
> The project, proposed by the National Park Service (NPS) in
> conjunction with Rutgers University, The University of North
> Carolina-Wilmington, the University of South Carolina, and
> the University of the Virgin Islands, will have a
> devastating impact in the following areas:
>
> 1. Violating a designated National
> Historical Park and Ecological Preserve and Natural Landmark
> by building a research campus, lab, housing and auditorium
> on it. Salt River Bay was identified by the National Trust
> for Historical Preservation as one of the eleven most
> endangered sites in the US and Territories.
>
> 2. Dredging Salt River Bay and Bio Bay to
> accommodate a research marina will destroy the delicate
> ecosystem currently in place, including destroying the
> second brightest Bioluminescent Bay in the world!
>
> 3. In 1990, the NPS stated that the area
> currently being considered for the MREC project was where an
> archeological discovery of an Amerindian burial ground (AD
> 660 – 1015), located adjacent to Cabo de las Flechas,
> “may be the most significant find of its nature in the
> Caribbean”. How can we let history and culture be
> destroyed?
>
> 4. Salt River Bay houses over 25
> endangered and threatened animals, species and plants.
> Building on this site will disturb, displace and in some
> cases destroy many of these treasures we should be fighting
> to protect and appreciate.
>
> 5. The planned site is located in an
> unprotected area, ripe for destruction by hurricanes and
> tropical winds. Hurricane Hugo destroyed the last marine
> research center on the island, and neither the universities
> or USVI have yet to repair or remove this blighted
> structure.
>
> We propose alternative suggestions that would protect Salt
> River Bay and help foster revitalization of the economic and
> social vibrancy of the island. Relocating the project to
> Christiansted or any of our proposed alternatives would
> allow the island the opportunity to revitalize a depressed
> area, encourage new investment, promote job growth, and
> protect one of the only bioluminescent bays in the world.
>
> We welcome the MREC project to St. Croix and do not oppose
> its development, just the current planned site. Please
> review the supporting documentation detailing the negative
> impact and alternative suggestions at
> www.savesaltriverbay.com .
>
> We need to promote investments in our future that do not
> sacrifice the cultural, historical, and environmental legacy
> and treasures we are entrusted to protect.
>
> Thank you for your attention and consideration to this
> matter and your help in relocating the MREC project from the
> planned Salt River Bay location.

Happy to sign that petition. We need to hear our delegate's position on this.

Is there a link to the Facebook page?