In spite of all of our letter-writing, the behind-the-scenes discussion with Senators, letters to the Governor, in the end it was the decision of Senate President Novelle Francis to bring the permit ratification before the lame duck Legislature in December 2020. And the tally tells the story – seven in favor, 3 opposed, 2 not voting, 3 absent.
That day I posted my feelings on the Coral Bay Discussion Group Facebook page, and the following morning I posted again. There were some prophetic musings in those posts:
12/11/2020
How your Senators voted on the Summers End Group marina …Here is the tally from today’s vote. With 12 senators in attendance, 2 abstaining, the remaining 10 voted 7-3 to approve the illegal CZM permits for the Summer End Group. I know of two people who will be celebrating tonight. The rest of us will carry on with our opposition to this monstrosity in the Army Corps federal process and within the courts of the Virgin Islands.
Today’s vote does two things: (1) It gives Summers End the right to say that their CZM permits and trust land lease has been approved, and (2) It gives those of us who oppose this environmentally destructive and thoroughly unrealistic project additional energy to fight the project in territorial and district courts.
I am disappointed in our Legislature. I had hoped they would put an end to this charade but instead they chose to re-energize it. I had hoped, for the first time in six years, to not need to be personally involved in strategizing, organizing and planning tactics to protect the Coral Bay resources we all hold dear. But life is what happens, and what happened today is that we’ve been given the incentive to renew and re-energize our fight against this ill-conceived con game.
In the coming days you will undoubtedly see extensive press coverage in our local media on the action of the 33rd Legislature approving these permits. The headlines will make you believe that construction is imminent. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Summers End does not have an Army Corps of Engineers permit, and it is certainly no guarantee that one will ever be granted. There are extensive ongoing environmental reviews at multiple federal agencies, and with the change in administration in Washington the consideration of environmental impacts will once again become a significant matter.
There are six lawsuits in local and federal court, and in order for Summers End to proceed they will need to win each and every one of those lawsuits. And then there is the matter of money. At the end of last year, according to the official records filed with the Virgin Islands Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Summers End Group had exactly $5,095.55 to their name. No real developer would consider placing real money in a project with this level of uncertainty.
As this battle proceeds we may find a need to raise additional funds for legal expenditure, and if this happens I will let you know how you can assist.
For now, stay safe, stay healthy, and thanks to each and every one of you for your support over the years. We shall prevail, not today, but in due course.
And the following morning, my thoughts on the events of the day before:
12/12/2020
Summers End Group – the morning after …Just a brief note to say that as disappointed as we all are with the vote of the Legislature yesterday, it was not all that surprising. Political pressure and personal relationships are powerful factors in decision making.
Our battle to protect the irreplaceable resources of Coral Bay and to promote sustainable development on the land and on the water has not in any way been defeated. Summers End is now saddled with useless permits for a project on land they do not control. They are immediately faced with obligations for substantial payments on a submerged land lease and requirements to clean up the wreckage of Island Blues. Their permits are worthless without an Army Corps permit and without resolution of six lawsuits.
The sad part is that I had hoped we could begin the new year with a new administration in Washington and with a cloud of uncertainty lifted from Coral Bay. 50% isn’t too bad and we will deal with SEG as we have in the past. For six years we have kept them out of our community and there is no reason that track record cannot continue.
Thank you all for your words of support. Let’s enjoy the spectacular weather in the beautiful place we call home – Coral Bay, St John.
Save Coral Bay for future generations!