U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commissions Caribbean task force for Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico projects

Gov. Albert Bryan attended the commissioning of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' first task force for the Caribbean region on January 23, 2024, hours after delivering his sixth State of the Territory Address, according to Government House.

The ceremony included White House officials, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leadership, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón and representatives of Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi's office.

Government House said Task Force VIPR was created to organize and prioritize construction projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and to help streamline permitting for major projects in the two territories.

According to the statement, the task force was established amid increased demand for civil works, military construction, inter-agency collaboration, international support and environmental programs following natural disasters in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Government House said the task force would be led by a colonel in Puerto Rico and would oversee current and future civil projects in its area of operation.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-celebrates-historic-initiative-by-the-u-s-army-corps-of-engineers/