Governor Mapp’s Recent New York Trip Yields $4.7 Million From EPA

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp’s most recent meetings in New York with the EPA Regional Director Judith Enck have resulted in millions of dollars being paid to the territory, a press release Government House issued late Thursday says.

The Department of Finance confirmed receiving $4,712,647.73 in reimbursements from the EPA, covering fiscal years prior to FY 2015.

Governor Mapp and Department of Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Dawn Henry met with EPA Regional Director Judith Enck several times since taking office, according to the release.  

“I am overwhelmingly pleased with the progress that Commissioner Henry has made with your DPNR.  My entire team is impressed with the progress and the new reporting standards,” Enck stated recently.

The $4.7 million had been the subject of a scathing federal audit report, where the Federal Inspector General recommended that the EPA end its programs and funding with  DPNR. Many of the funds that were the subject of the report and held from the local government date back to fiscal year 2011.

“I am pleased with our continuing progress as we improve our working relationship with our federal partners. I thank the EPA Regional Director for her assistance and cooperation in releasing these much needed and long overdue funds to the treasury of the Government of the Virgin Islands,” Governor Mapp said.

“Millions of federal dollars remain available to the people of the Virgin Islands spanning many vital programs; health, education, protection of the environment, infrastructure improvements to name a few. My administration is committed to pursuing these dollars and to spend them in the territory for the purposes they are intended,” he added.

Commissioner Henry also thanked and acknowledged the Department of Finance, the Office of Management an Budget and EPA for assisting DPNR in recouping the funds.