To:   jose.cedeno-maldonado@usace.army.mil

Subject:  Application  SAJ-2004-12518 (SP-JCM) – Coral Bay Marina

Dear Mr. Cedeno-Maldonado,

The proposed Summers End Group’s mega marina in Coral Bay, St John, USVI will be a disaster environmentally and culturally.

Coral Bay Harbor, as you well know, is a delicate, fragile ecosystem already threatened and compromised by existing development. I predict: “Good-bye mangroves, sea grass, nursery fish, shellfish, turtles, shorebirds, marine life in general”.

The proposed marina usurps seabed. Yachts bring people, people bring garbage, human waste, noise and light pollution(“Goodbye dark sky and stars”). People want water; some to drink, large amounts to washdown yachts. The polluted runoff water from washdowns enters the harbor.

Yachts want fuel(diesel and gasoline) for generators which run continuously and will raise water temperature in the harbor. Prevailing easterly winds transport engine combustion products downwind to be inhaled by shoreside people and wildlife.

Marinas invariably experience oil and fuel spills, no matter what precautions are taken. The same easterly winds generate water currents which will transport toxic fuel oil spills into the mangroves. Disease and death to organisms or creatures in the harbor will follow.

Yacht hulls are coated with antifouling paint; paint designed to KILL, to kill waterborne plants and animals. Popular antifouling coatings are designed to ablate. Particles of the ablated coating fall to the harbor bottom where they continue to KILL ALL sealife. That is what antifouling paint is designed to do. Plants and animals of Coral Bay Harbor will die just they have in every harbor around the world contaminated with antifouling coatings.

Regarding culture, marinas are well known for importing illicit drugs and alcohol. The local community will be overwhelmed by the megayacht community which will brings only environmental destruction and cultural displacement and degradation. “Hello”, Summers End Groups mega marina; “Goodbye”, plant and animal life of Coral Bay Harbor. “Goodbye”, Coral Bay!

I am writing as a United States citizen from Woods Hole, Massachusetts who has been visiting St John for fifty-five(55) years. I vigorously oppose the proposed marina for Coral Bay, St John, USVI. Not one single element of the proposed development is in the best interest of the public. It is in the best interest of the public to protect the planet. Coral Bay is a critical habitat on this planet, the only planet we have.

Sincerely,
(name omitted)
USCG Merchant Marine Officer
Ocean master 1600T aux sail