USVI governor called on to ban burning of hurricane debris
ST JOHN, USVI — As the USVI picks up the pieces from the ravages of two back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes, Island Green Living Association has called on Governor Kenneth Mapp and members of the legislature to resist pressure from FEMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers and BAN the incineration of hurricane debris. The majority of debris is clean wood from fallen trees, limbs and other vegetation.
According to Island Green, FEMA and the US Army Corp of Engineers have influenced Mapp to reverse his original stance and the potential health and environmental implications of local burning, a process that will take a year or more, are serious. It will emit harmful chemicals and strip the islands of rich organic material that the soil and plants need to flourish.
Island Green, a not for profit organization dedicated to sustainability throughout the USVI, has introduced a petition to convince Mapp to stand by his original decision not to incinerate: https://www.change.org/p/governor-kenneth-mapp-ban-the-burning-of-us-virgin-islands-natural-resources
The organization urges residents and others interested in the wellbeing of the USVI to sign this petition.
Read more: http://wp.caribbeannewsnow.com/2017/11/14/usvi-governor-called-ban-burning-hurricane-debris/