In a recent release the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands revealed that it has approved the re-establishment of the Technical Review Committee which is tasked to advise the Ministry of Natural Resources and labour on all matters regarding sustainable development of the Territory’s coastlines, seabed and marine estate.
The release described the Committee as an “Inter-governmental technical body responsible for vetting various applications for the use of the seabed”.
To that end, it explained that the Committee will hold responsibility for the administration of the Marine Estate Administration Policy which was approved back in 2020 and guides the issuance of leases and licences for the use of the seabed by the Natural Resources Ministry.
Some of the core responsibilities of the Technical Review Committee in regards to the Marine Estate Administration Policy are:
1. To coordinate the formulation, implementation and public awareness of the Marine Estate Policy and any Marine Spatial Plan and ensure that they are aligned with all national policies and strategies.
2. To evaluate and consider for approval by the Minister any project proposals for the use of the Marine Estate.
3. To facilitate public consultation and cooperation between government agencies concerning any application for the development or use of the Marine Estate under the Marine Estate Administration Policy.
4. To develop and regularly update a new schedule of fees to give effect to the requirements of the Marine Estate Administration Policy, including Development fees, which will aim to standardise the manner in which Government will charge for the use of the seabed.
The Cabinet is satisfied that the establishment of this committee represents a significant contribution towards the reformed processes for disposing Crown Property, and that it satisfies recommendation B30 of the Commission of Inquiry.
This recommendation calls for a wholesale review of the processes for the disposal of Crown Land to ensure that these disposals are subject to an open and transparent process.
Under this recommendation, the the Commissioner listed several considerations, including:
1. The establishment of an independent body or independent bodies to consider applications for Crown Land disposals for domestic and/or commercial use.
2. The degree and nature of the involvement of members of local community in an advisory capacity.
3. The criteria for the disposal of Crown Land for domestic and commercial use (including weather applications for domestic and/or commercial Crown Land by non-belongers ought to be entertained and, if so, the criteria for such grants), which should be both published and applied.
4. Whether there should be any executive discretionary powers in relation to Crown Land Disposals.
According to the release, the implementation of this recommendation formally began on July 31st, and many of the reform initiatives were part of a border process of reassessing and modernising the policy and operational framework of the Ministry.