You may already be aware that Maho Bay is being seriously threatened and requires the urgent attention of everyone who enjoys the easy access to the beautiful beach at Maho Bay and values the crystal-clear waters of that bay.

The property bordered by the road at Maho Beach and encompassing virtually the entire basin as one looks inland, right up to Centerline Road, Mamey Peak and Ajax Peak is a beautiful and pristine area, rich in botanical wonders and historic treasures, that appears to be parkland - but is not -- and is now facing a significant threat. This land is owned in common by the NPS, Trust for Public Land and seven of the heirs of the original owner.

A private individual is now attempting to purchase the seven shares from the heirs to build an "institute", return a few acres to each of these heirs, develop a significant personal compound and possibly develop additional land for residential home sites. He is insisting that the NPS and the Trust for Public Land sell their four shares, as well as other contiguous properties, to him and agree to a number of other conditions.

The land transactions in question are between willing sellers and a willing buyer. They are perfectly legal and, as distressing as the thought may be, they may well be the best current alternative to protecting at least part of Maho Bay and the surrounding lands from rampant development. However, the conditions he is insisting upon:

• NPS and TPL to sell their four shares, as well as other contiguous properties, to him;
• Permission to reroute the road and thereby impede access to Maho beach;
• Permission to build a 120' x 60' dock in the bay; and,
• Permission to drain the wetlands and open a permanent channel to the bay are egregious and will cause significant environmental damage to the bay and wetlands, as well as hamper the free and easy access to Maho beach that we have always enjoyed.

I encourage you to contact National Park Service Director Fran Mainella and express your concern about Maho Bay. Specifically, I suggest that you ask her to:

• Protect the integrity of Virgin Islands National Park and the National Park Service by not entering into any agreement that sells NPS land or sells NPS shares in land held in common.
• Protect the fragile marine resources of Maho Bay by not allowing the construction of a dock in the bay or allowing the wetlands to be drained and a permanent channel to be opened into the bay.
• Protect the right of the residents of St. John and the millions of visitors to this island and VI National Park to enjoy, unimpaired, the spectacular natural beauty of, and easy access to, the beach at Maho Bay.

To learn more about the threat to Maho Bay, please go to: http://www.friendsvinp.org

While you are certainly welcome to send your message using the text provided, you are encouraged to personalize and customize the message to best reflect your personal views. Also, please forward this message to your friends, family and associates who you think would share your concern and would want to help Protect Maho Bay.

Thank you for your concern and support regarding this important matter -- together we will make a difference. Feel free to contact me should you have additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Joe Kessler, President
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park
jkessler@friendsvinp.org
340-779-4940