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ST. THOMAS - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public hearing this month on the proposed $5.2 million, 70,000-square-foot, interactive dolphin exhibit at Coral World Ocean Park.
The project has received all local permits necessary, but work cannot proceed on the dolphin enclosure without a permit from the Army Corps.
"We know there is a great deal of interest in the proposed Coral World project and we want to be able to devote some time outside of our scheduled general open house to hear from interested parties on that particular topic," Chief of the U.S. Army Corps, Jacksonville District Regulatory Division Donnie Kinard, said in a prepared statement.
The project has been hotly debated in the community since it was first proposed.
Proponents believe the attraction will draw tourists and boost the economy.
Opponents are concerned about dolphins living in captivity as well as the environmental impact the project could have on Water Bay.
Many of the project's opponents have been contacting Army Corps officials during the last year to state their concerns, and now the federal agency is coming to St. Thomas to hear those concerns in person.
According to the permit application, the dolphins will be kept in a large rectangular enclosure built in Water Bay, bordered by decking containing a viewing platform and low bleacher seating.
The decks that will make up the enclosure will measure about 300 feet by 250 feet.
An additional 40-foot buffer will be set up around the perimeter of the decking using a buoy line. The decking will be supported by 158 concrete pilings that will necessitate the removal and relocation of some corals and seagrass beds.
A stainless steel mesh will connect the dock on the surface to the ocean floor, keeping the dolphins in the 2-acre enclosure while allowing the natural currents of the bay to clean out the dolphin habitat, according to Coral World officials.
The dolphin facility will take up about 5 percent of the surface area of Water Bay, according to Coral World's application.
The work in the water cannot begin until the proper permits are approved.
Last month, the St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee amended the permit issued to Coral World last year.
The modification will allow the park to start construction on the land-based part of the project - a two-story multi-purpose building - even though the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for the water-based dolphin enclosure has not yet been approved.
The land-based construction will include bathhouses and a two-story education center. The education center will be a multipurpose building used for staff to give orientations to those who will be swimming with the dolphins. It also will provide facilities and emergency living quarters for the staff and medical personnel, lab, storage for equipment and a changing area.
According to the CZM permit conditions, the facility can have only six dolphins while it monitors the quality of Water Bay for a one-year period. If the monitoring shows adequate water quality, additional dolphins can be brought in.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries program must approve the importation of the dolphins, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture must approve a separate permit for the animals as well.
The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at Turnbull Regional Library in Tutu.
At the meeting, Corps representatives will explain how the project will be evaluated and will respond to any questions, according to the public notice posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Further details on the permit application for the proposed Coral World project are available in the notice, which is open for public review and comments through Sept. 30, at 1.usa.gov/1AQRJ2U.
Comments on the proposed project will be accepted at the public meeting or by mail. Send written comments to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, attention Edgar Garcia, 400 Fernandez Juncos Avenue, San Juan, PR 00901.
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/dolphinarium-hearing-to-be-held-1.1745429
Posted : September 4, 2014 8:01 pm
As I understand, this meeting is on the ENGINEERING aspects of the project.
I wouldn't expect the ACE to rule based on the social aspects of the project.
Posted : September 4, 2014 8:36 pm
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"ACE is not concerned with animal welfare issues nor the ethics of keeping Dolphins in captivity. Their concerns are strictly environmental and construction issues."
There are several species of threatened and endangered corals in the footprint of the planned pen as just listed by NOAA. There are other environmental issues at hand as well that warrant concern and scrutiny.
Posted : September 4, 2014 10:07 pm
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bump
Posted : September 7, 2014 3:18 pm
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If you are planning to attend, go to meeting early so it is not over-run with all the Coral World employees as they did with the CZM meeting.
Even those employees who are not in favor of CW's proposed dolphinarium had to be there and they cannot speak in opposition if they wish to keep their jobs.
Coral World loaded the auditorium up with employees and had many sign up to speak well in advance of the start of the meeting so the majority of those in opposition were not able to speak due to time constraints.
If you wish to speak out against this, don't let them stack the deck against you being able to do so, again.
Posted : September 9, 2014 3:45 pm
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bump - The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at Turnbull Regional Library in Tutu.
Posted : September 21, 2014 7:08 pm
