Virgin Islands residents seeking to prune or remove public trees will need to seek consent from the Department of Agriculture before doing so. If a resident decides to take action on a public tree without first applying for a permit from D.O.A., this person could be punished by the law.
That’s according to a release D.O.A. issued (via Government House) on Thursday, citing Bill No. 32-0062 which was signed into law by former Governor Kenneth Mapp. “This law protects all public trees which are those within the right-of-way of public roads and on publicly owned land,” reads the release. The bill was sponsored by Senator Myron Jackson.
D.O.A. said anyone wishing to prune or remove public trees must apply through a permit application. It further stated that unless an individual or entity has an approved permit from D.O.A., it is considered an offense to cause any destruction to or take any portion of a public tree.
According to the release, the law is enforced by D.O.A., the VI Police Department and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
To report someone unlawfully causing destruction to a tree on public property, contact D.O.A. at 340-778-0997, or the V.I.P.D. at 340-772-9111 (STX) or 340-776-9110 (STT/STJ).
Share On Facebook
Tweet It
