VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee on 
Culture, Youth, 
Aging, Sports, and 
Parks 
36th Legislature of the 
Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
 
PRESENTED BY: 
ADRIENNE L. WILLIAMS-OCTALIEN 
DIRECTOR 
April 20, 2026 
TESTIMONY 
Office of Disaster Recovery Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks 
April 20, 2026 
2 
 
Good Morning, Honorable Senator Angel Bolques Jr., Chairman of the 36th Legislature's Committee 
on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks, distinguished members of the committee, fellow 
testifiers, and the listening and viewing audience. I am Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Director of 
the Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR).  
ODR has prepared the following testimony in response to your subpoenaed request for any related information 
on the financial and project management of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium redevelopment project. The Paul E. 
Joseph Stadium project is a capital improvement project managed by the Virgin Islands Department of Public 
Works (DPW). The stadium’s reconstruction is funded by legislative appropriations, not through a federal 
disaster recovery program, and as such does not fall under our agency’s direct purview.  
However, the ODR provided support to facilitate the approval of the territory’s Conditional Letter of 
Map Revision (CLOMR) application with FEMA in 2020, as a part of the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program’s (HMGP) flood management oversight in conjunction with the Department of Planning and 
Natural Resources (DPNR).  
To provide some background, after the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as part of the resulting 
federal disaster declaration, FEMA conducted a Community Access Visit (CAV) from July 23-27, 
2018. This was the territory’s first CAV in approximately ten years.  
The purpose of the review was to ascertain how the Territory was managing and enforcing the 
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) floodplain requirements. This in-person site visit is used 
to identify ways to improve the floodplain management program and verify compliance with the 
NFIP. CAVs enable FEMA and state floodplain management teams to evaluate and assist 
communities in fulfilling their responsibilities under floodplain management.  
The CAV typically consists of two parts: a field tour and a meeting with the community’s floodplain 
management team. During the field tour, FEMA and state officials examine the community’s Special 
Flood Hazard Areas to observe new developments and check for compliance with floodplain 
regulations.  
Office of Disaster Recovery Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks 
April 20, 2026 
3 
 
During the territory’s CAV, FEMA identified several concerns, all of which were addressed during 
the visit. However, the Paul E. Joseph Stadium required further discussion because its location is in 
a FEMA-designated floodway. This designation necessitated additional reviews, resulting in the need 
for a no-rise certification, a deep-pile foundation, and a site elevation to bring the facility into 
compliance.  
As the agency responsible for flood plain and watershed management, the Department of Planning 
and Natural Resources led the coordinated effort to review all plans and bring the project into 
compliance.  DPNR submitted a Corrective Action Plan necessary to address the CAV findings and 
to ensure the Territory meets the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. Failure to 
comply with the findings of the CAV could have resulted in the territory’s loss of access to the 
National Flood Insurance Program for residents. 
Since the project’s location was in an identified floodway, FEMA required additional studies and 
analysis, such as a Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) study, Riverine – Hydrologic Engineering 
Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) review, Wave Height analysis, and evidence of 
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. DPNR submitted the request for a Conditional Letter 
of Map Revision (CLOMR) along with the required supporting documentation, analyses, and studies, 
to allow the project to continue construction. The territory received the final CLOMR from FEMA in 
2021.   
The receipt of the CLOMAR was FEMA’s formal confirmation that the plan revisions brought the 
construction of the Paul E. Joseph Stadium into compliance. The ODR’s role in supporting the project 
was complete. Throughout this process, the Department of Public Works has remained and still is the 
designated authority responsible for managing the construction of this facility. Honorable Senators, 
this concludes my testimony. I remain available to respond to any questions you may have.