Tag: Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)

DPNR To Celebrate Exotic Pet Amnesty Week

FREDERIKSTED — Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) will celebrate Exotic Pet Amnesty Week from May 28 to June 4, 2022, to bring attention to the impact of invasive species on the Virgin Islands natural environment.   Residents are invited to bring in their rare, non-native animal species from birds to snakes […]

Concerned Scientists Probe Sea Urchin Deaths In Caribbean

SAN JUAN (AP) — Sea urchins are dying across the Caribbean at a pace scientists say could rival a mass die-off that last occurred in 1983, alarming many who warn the trend could further decimate already frail coral reefs in the region. Dive shops first began reporting the deaths in February, perplexing scientists and worrying […]

EPA To Begin Inspecting Underground Storage Tanks At Gas Stations On St. Croix Today

FREDERIKSTED — Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) advises all Gas Station owners and/or operators of underground storage tanks that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 2, will be conducting underground storage tank (UST) Inspections in the St. Croix District on or about the week of April 11, […]

DPNR’s Building Permits Division To Discard Old Building Plans

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said that the Division of Permits will be discarding files received between 2011 and 2017, according to DPNR Commissioner Jean -Pierre Oriol. As stipulated in the International Residential Code and International Building Code, the Division of Permits may hold construction plans for up to six […]

Injured Rare Loggerhead Turtle Being Treated By Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — An injured loggerhead sea turtle was rescued by volunteers from the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue (STAR) network in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Fish and Wildlife of the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources, and Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI). The turtle was […]

Find Out What Beach You Should Avoid This Weekend: DPNR Beach Advisory

CHRISTIANSTED — One beach in St. Croix failed to meet established standards for water quality and should be avoided this weekend, according to the latest DPNR Beach Advisory. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach WaterQuality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimmingbeaches throughout the territory by […]

Talk Today On Dietary History, Cultural Food Traditions of Ancestral Native Virgin Islanders

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The DPNR Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums, as part of its V.I. Cultural Month Series, will host a presentation and follow-up discussion on the Dietary History and Cultural Food Traditions of Ancestral Native Virgin Islanders by Gail Shulterbrandt-Rivera, on Wednesday, March 23rd, 5:30 – 7:30pm at the historic Lutheran Chapel in the courtyard […]

‘I Am D. Hamilton Jackson’ Student Artwork On Display At Youth Art Month Exhibit

FREDERIKSTED — Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is pleased to announce that in celebration of Virgin Islands History Month and Youth ArtMonth, the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DLAM) and the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Division of Cultural Education will host an exclusive exhibition of the […]

DPNR Reintroduces Ground Lizard To St. Croix After 50 Years On Offshore Islands

CHRISTIANSTED —DPNR has reintroduced the St. Croix Ground Lizard (Ameiva polops) to the main island of St. Croix for the first time in 50 years.   DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Orio said his department hopes the experiment will allow the lizard to thrive here as it once did prior to 1969.l The St. Croix Ground […]

DPNR Sponsors Free Workshop On Primitive Tool Making

CHRISTIANSTED — DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol announces a free public workshop about primitive tool making with Horsley Witten Group, Inc. and Mount Victory Eco-Lodge. The half-day workshop will take place on Saturday, March 5th and Saturday, March 12th from 8 am-noon. People interested are asked to register online at https://www.mtvictorycamp.com to take part in this unique, hands-on opportunity […]