{"id":54646,"date":"2017-07-20T19:30:15","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T19:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=54646"},"modified":"2017-07-21T11:37:34","modified_gmt":"2017-07-21T11:37:34","slug":"national-park-service-usvi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=54646","title":{"rendered":"There Will Be No Change To Name Of V.I. National Parks, NPS Says; Legal Authority Remains The Same"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following a press release\u00a0issued by Senate President Myron Jackson<\/span><\/a> stating that the National Park Service (NPS) had suddenly reorganized the Virgin Islands National Park to the Caribbean National Parks, which Mr. Jackson said would have repercussions for Virgin Islanders employed at NPS as well as for the integrity of Virgin Islands heritage, the National Park Service Southeast Regional Office issued a statement to The Consortium on Thursday afternoon, strongly denying those claims.<\/p>\n

Calling the changes a realignment which adjusts HR reporting lines and preserves the authorities of each park, Saudia Muwwakkil, an NPS spokesperson, explained,\u00a0\u201cEach Caribbean unit of the National Park System is significant to America\u2019s natural and cultural heritage. The Southeast Regional director recently realigned the parks\u2019 reporting relationships to push decision-making closer to the field. The superintendents of each Caribbean park will now report to a group superintendent stationed in the Caribbean. This adjustment establishes a working relationship between the parks that breaks down silos and opens access to resources and expertise. There will be no changes to the parks\u2019 names or legal authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Jackson, who received his information from Lorelei Monsanto, a member of the Virgin Islands Unity Day group, was livid in his expression via a press release issued Wednesday, and called on Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett to hold public hearings; a public meeting is planned for 6:00 p.m.\u00a0tonight at the Cleone H. Creque Legislative Conference Room in Cruz Bay, St. John.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe possible change of name of the Virgin Islands National Park to the Caribbean National Parks and news that superintendents will be located in Puerto Rico is unacceptable in this day and age,\u201d Mr. Jackson said in his release. \u201cThis centennial year should be about revisiting the Virgin Islands Park System in addressing the cultural resources, community values, heritage and land issues of the Virgin Islands. Why were we not consulted as a community? Why has the governor or the delegate not addressed the community on this drastic change?\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Monsanto, the change occurred on July 11, 2017. Monsanto said it calls for what used to be known as the Virgin Islands National Park to now be referred to as the Caribbean National Parks, and for its administrative leadership to be transferred to neighboring Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

But the NPS statement completely debunks those claims, clarifying in detail the list of changes that comes as part of the realignment.<\/p>\n

There will be no change to the park\u2019s name or legal authority.<\/p>\n

What does the realignment mean to employees?<\/strong><\/p>\n