LAWMAKERS PROBE THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE MAJOR COASTAL ZONE PERMIT FOR THE ST. JOHN MARINA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Press Releases LAWMAKERS PROBE THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE MAJOR COASTAL ZONE PERMIT FOR THE ST. JOHN MARINA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Published: Jul 8, 2020 Search for: ST. JOHN- Members of the 33 rd Legislature, led by Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr. convened in Committee of the Whole at the Cleone H. Creque Legislative Conference Room on Tuesday to receive testimony on the consolidated Major Coastal Zone Permit No. CZJ-04-14(W), CZJ-03-14(L), and B Modification issued to the Summers End Group, LLC. Per the Virgin Islands law, the permit for Summer’s End Group, LLC was sent by Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands for ratification. Lawmakers did not vote on the proposed measure. However, action will be taken in Legislative Session. The Major Coastal Zone Management Permit No. CZJ-04-14(W) seeks to allow the construction of a 145-slip marina, a designated mooring field of up to 75 moorings, a pump-out-station, and a fuel station at and Seaward of Plot Nos. 10-17, 10-18, 10-19, 10-41 Rem., 13A, 13B, and 13 Rem. Estate Carolina, St. John, Virgin Islands. Furthermore, the permit allows for the use and occupancy of the structures described in Section 2 (a) of this permit including 27.5 acres of submerged land areas surrounding the structures described in Section 2 (a) of the permit. Separately, the conflict on the Senate floor pertained to the modification of the ratification sent down by the governor that removed 13A and 13B from the permit. However, the CZM permit presented before legislators included 13A and 13B in the permit. Sen. Dwayne DeGraff inquired about the effects of the removal of 13A and 13B. In response, Boyd Sprehn, Esq. General Counsel, of the Law Office of John H. Benham, P.C. stated that the removal has a far less impact on the environment. Although 13A and 13B were removed, it was approved in the initial agreement. “The documents are contradictory. I am not against the marina. I am against the process,” said Sen. Janelle Sarauw. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources Coastal Zone Management Director, Marlon Hibbert, shared the timeline of the permit process. Summer’s End Group, LLC applied for both the Major Coastal Zone Management Water Permit Application and the Major Land Permit Application in April 2014. Two months later, a public hearing was held in St. John of which residents did not support the establishment of the St. John Marina Development Project. However, the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee voted and approved the permit in October 2014. By December 2019, Summer’s End Group LLC, consolidated the major permits to follow the mandate of the Board of Land Use Appeals. In response to Sen. Oakland Benta’s query as to whether the consolidated permit is in violation, Hibbert noted that presently there aren’t any violations. Defending the permit, Summer’s End Group, LLC Member Manager Chaliese Summers noted that the development of St. John Marina yields both economic and environmental benefits. Tourism Economics conducted an Economic Impact Analysis on the St. John Marina and the findings were conclusive of the provision of 362 jobs for residents and approximately $46.4 million to be made in the first year. Additionally, Summers noted that the annual operational economic impact totals $9.6 million, $29.8 million for initial labor income, and the accessibility to $100 million annually to the British Virgin Islands Charter Industry. To protect the environment, Summers indicated that there is a $1.3 million mitigation plan, infrastructure/pump-out facility for waste disposal, and the use of EPA approved fueling. Despite the benefits, St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee Member David Silverman stated that the consolidated CZM Land and Water Permit is illegal. Silverman cited that the Governor does not have the jurisdiction to unilaterally modify CZM permits which were not approved by the St John CZM Committee. However, lawmakers unanimously expressed support for the Major Coastal Zone Permit despite its shortcomings. “When we fight and fuss over what is proper, we find ourselves being left behind,” said Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory. “We need to figure out how to address economics in the Territory and move forward.” Similarly, Sen. Francis also shared his remarks. “The state of Coral Bay remains challenged. I truly believe that some residents don’t want change. Regardless of the proposal of any project, there are movers and shakers in Coral Bay who will always oppose it. The fate of the St. John Marina Development requires lawmakers to weigh the pros and cons and then make a decision.” ### Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. 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