Bryan submits bill for St. John land swap tied to proposed school site

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. submitted legislation to the 35th Legislature on June 8, 2023, proposing a land exchange with the National Park Service to secure a site for a public K-12 school on St. John.

Under the proposal, the Virgin Islands government would transfer Tract No. 02-101 Whistling Island, also known as Whistling Cay, St. John, to the U.S. Department of the Interior. In exchange, the National Park Service would convey a portion of Tract No. 01-137A Catherineberg, also known as Hammer’s Fann, St. John, to the territorial government for construction of the school.

The legislation also provided that the Virgin Islands would retain water rights to Whistling Cay and that a $210,000 equalizing payment from the National Park Service would be appropriated to the St. John Capital Improvements Fund.

Government House said the agreement could move forward by July 1, 2023, if the Legislature approved the measure. It also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would fund construction of the school as part of hurricane recovery work following Irma and Maria.

In his transmittal letter to Senate President Novelle Francis Jr., Bryan said the planned facility would also serve as a hurricane shelter, public assembly space and athletic venue for St. John.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-sends-down-proposed-legislation-for-land-swap-with-national-park-service-to-construct-st-john-school/