FREDERIKSTED — The V.I. Department of Agriculture said today that Bill Number 32-0062, “The Community and Heritage Tree Law of the Virgin Islands” was signed into law January 6th, 2019.
“This law protects all public trees, which are those within the right-of-way of public roads and on publicly owned land,” the VIDOA said. “Anyone wishing to prune or remove public trees must apply with the V.I. Department of Agriculture (VIDOA) via a permit application.”
Unless an individual or entity has an approved permit from the VIDOA, it is considered an offense to cause any destruction to or take any portion of a public tree, and is punishable by law.
This law is enforced by the VIDOA, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR).
If you want to report someone unlawfully causing destruction to a tree on public property, please contact the VIDOA at 340-778-0997 or the VI Police Department 340-772-9111 (St. Croix) or 340-776-9110 (St. Thomas-St. John).