Croix and to provide recommendations and design details to reduce flooding and improve management of stormwater runoff. The USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has obtained funding through the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to assess (8) high priority watersheds of concern on St. Thomas Harbor, Bolongo Bay, Long Point Bay,
Diamond, Bethlehem, Salt River Bay, and Hovensa. The watersheds of focus encompass areas with critical infrastructure like the airport and major roadways; commercial, government and residential investments; and agricultural activity. The watersheds were selected as high priority based on their importance to Virgin Islanders as places where structural and natural assets have been affected by changes to land cover and associated flooding risks. The goal of this project is to identify and evaluate watershed-specific issues and develop attainable solutions to reduce water quality degradation and improve flood resiliency resulting in the development of Watershed Management Plans. The Watershed Management Plans will be used to inform local agencies and institutions regarding site-specific options for flood reduction, stormwater management and water reuse. This project is an opportunity to equip the Virgin Islands to reduce consequences and increase benefits of the projected changes to rainfall due to climate change. Specifically, the region is expected to experience more intense rainfall events with less overall rainfall. DPNR has engaged the services of the Watershed Consulting Associates, LLC in the assessment and creation of the Watershed Management Plans.
