It’s a much different story on St. John.
ST. CROIX — If you’re heading out to the beach this weekend and you live here or on St. Thomas, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources has cleared the way to swim or fish at all the beaches it tested in the aforementioned islands.
On St. John, however, D.P.N.R. listed three beaches — Cruz Bay, Frank Bay and Oppenhiemer (above) — as unsafe for swimming and fishing, because the beaches did not meet water quality standards as they exceeded the established enterococci bacteria threshold.
St. John residents could recourse to Johnson Bay and Great Cruz Bay, though, as those two beaches were declared safe.
On St. Thomas, D.P.N.R. says swimming and fishing are good to go at the following locations: Lindquist, Coki Point, Bluebeards, Secret Harbor, Bolongo Bay, Water Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Sapphire, Hull Bay, Magen’s Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Brewer’s Bay and Vessup Bay.
And on St. Croix, the safe beaches are: Stoney Ground, Protestant Cay, Buccaneer, Cramer Park, Frederiksted Public Beach, Pelican Cove (Comorant), Shoy’s, Rainbow, Chenay Bay, Princess (Condo Row), Grapetree Bay, Dorsch, Cane Bay, New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta) and Halfpenny.
The government agency warns that high levels of enterococci bacteria and turbidity may be caused by runoff due to heavy rains, heavy marine vessel traffic, high wave activity near the shoreline and irresponsible recreational use, among other factors. It added that runoff can consist of sediment, pesticides, animal feces and oil and grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory.
And even while D.P.N.R. continues to monitor the islands’ waters, the agency stressed that residents should use their own discretion for fishing or swimming at the cleared beaches. If the waters appear muddy or murky or have foul odors, do not swim or fish, according to the release.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 340-773-1082.
Image Credit: The Road Less Traveled.
Tags: beaches, department of planning and natural resources, dpnr
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