Residents are being put on notice of the government’s intent to address the growing issue of illegal development on Crown land.
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in a government-commissioned media release on Wednesday, noted that the ministry in collaboration with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force will be removing all derelict vehicles, boats, and heavy equipment machinery that exist on the government’s lands.
The ministry said the initiative aligns with the newly instituted Crown Land’s Policy, specifically under the subject of Monitoring and Control.
According to Ronald Smith-Berkeley, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, the policy empowers the Ministry of Environment to take action, including the removal or demolition of any illegal structure on Crown lands.
He cautioned individuals violating this section of the law or policy that their developments will be removed at their expense if they fail to comply with enforcement notices issued under the Physical Planning Act.
“The ministry, in collaboration with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, will remove, at the owner’s expense, any vehicle, building material, and other personal property left unattended or abandoned on Crown Land, including public roads and sidewalks, for more than five days,” Smith-Berkeley stated.
Smith-Berkeley also noted that the strategic use of the territory’s Crown lands is essential to facilitate government administration, its operations and for achieving development objectives.
These objectives as communicated by the permanent secretary include critical public infrastructure, community facilities, social services, the development of agriculture and fisheries, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and support for affordable land and housing programs for Virgin Islanders and belongers.
Emphasizing the ministry’s responsibility for the conservation of the environment and the preservation and development of natural resources, Smith-Berkeley highlighted the necessary legislation in place to support these efforts.