Date: December 1, 2003
Contact: Angela Johnson
Phone: 340-773-6449
angelaborchert@yahoo.com
TERRITORY GETS $5 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT ON
ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS
Acting Governor Vargrave Richards on Monday signed for a $5 million
grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs,
aiming to improve the territory's infrastructure for wastewater treatment.
The funding will be used for the design, construction and operation
of two secondary wastewater treatment facilities: the Anguilla Treatment
Plant on St. Croix, and the Charlotte Amalie Treatment Plant on St.
Thomas.
"This demonstrates that the Department of Interior recognizes
that the Government of the Virgin Islands is serious in meeting the
federal mandates with respect to wastewater," said Sonya Nelthropp,
technical assistant for the Department of Public Works.
Contracts for these capital projects are currently in negotiations.
The contracts will require final approval of the 25th Legislature of
the Virgin Islands. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's deadline
for finalization of these contracts is January 2004.
"The funding request was included in President Bush's 2004 Budget
and subsequently approved by Congress," said Charlene Leizear,
grants manager for the Department of the Interior, Office of Insular
Affairs. "DOI is pleased with the consistency in reporting progress
and in the adherence to federal mandates. We will continue working with
PWD and the GVI to assist in realizing future funding."
Acting Governor Richards met Monday with officials from the U.S. Department
of the Interior, V.I. Public Works Department, and V.I. Office of Management
and Budget to discuss the mandated use of this $5 million grant.
"This has been a burning issue for the Virgin Islands,"
Acting Governor Richards said. "This funding represents a giant
step in the right direction."
