Bryan issued executive order designating Virgin Islands ecosystems as natural infrastructure

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued an executive order declaring the U.S. Virgin Islands’ ecosystems to be natural infrastructure and directing the territory to protect them, according to a Government House announcement published Oct. 29, 2023.

The order required Virgin Islands government departments and agencies to take administrative, enforcement, conservation and enhancement actions and to incorporate the directive into policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

It also directed agencies to work together to seek increased federal funding to protect or enhance natural infrastructure, particularly before and after disasters.

Government House said the U.S. Virgin Islands hosted the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force annual jurisdictional meeting in St. Thomas from Oct. 22 through Oct. 27, 2023, at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-issues-executive-order-protecting-coral-reefs/