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Virgin Islands Port Authority Seeks Permit for Crown Bay Dredging

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The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) has submitted a joint application to the VI Coastal Zone Management Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permits to dredge the East Gregerie Channel in Crown Bay, St. Thomas. The joint application proposes to dredge the north side of the Crown Bay Cruise Ship Dock and the East Gregerie Channel to 11 meters/36 feet. This dredging is intended to accommodate existing and future cruise ships and improve navigational safety during arrival and departure maneuvers. The turning basin has been positioned to minimize the impact on the marine environment to the greatest extent possible. The estimated quantity of material to be removed is 193,100 cubic yards – of which 54,500 cubic yards is rock.

VIPA plans to transport the dredged material to the island of St. Croix, where it will be stored on port authority property until it is dry enough to be used by VIPA, the VI Department of Public Works and other entities having a need for the material. 

The permitting process is expected to be completed by December 2013. VIPA is prepared to advertise a bid for a contractor to perform the dredging immediately. "Within 60 days we should have a contract in place with a company to perform the dredging,” said VIPA Executive Director Executive Director Carlton Dowe. "It will take an additional three months to mobilize and transport dredging equipment and materials needed to dredge the channel from the mainland to St. Thomas.” He anticipates the dredging will begin by May 15, 2014, and be completed sometime between May 2015 and February 2016, depending on the characteristics of the rock being dredged in the channel.
 
VIPA has paid for all studies and consultants necessary to prepare the permits via funds in its FY 2013 budget. The VIPA board is currently determining the best option to finance the actual dredging. 

VIPA received 616 vessel calls and nearly 1.8 million passengers at its Crown Bay cruise terminals in 2012.
 

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