Attorney general opinion said Summer’s End Marina permit remained valid while federal review was pending

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on October 6, 2025, that an October 2 legal opinion by Attorney General Gordon Rhea found the permit for the Summer’s End Marina project in Coral Bay, St. John, remained valid under Virgin Islands law.

According to the statement, the opinion concluded that the 12-month commencement deadline in 12 V.I.C. § 910(d)(7) does not begin until all required federal approvals are received. It said a coastal zone permit contingent on federal approvals under 12 V.I.C. § 910(g) and § 911(e) is not considered an approved permit for purposes of that deadline until agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issue the necessary approvals.

The statement said that, under the opinion, the Summer’s End permit had not lapsed or expired and remained in effect while federal review was pending.

Bryan also said the opinion did not authorize construction, grant federal approvals or address the merits of the project, but only established when the statutory 12-month period begins.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-issues-statement-on-attorney-general-opinion-clarifying-summers-end-marina-permit-status-2/