Public Meeting Announcement

Bordeaux Irrigation Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), are hosting a public meeting to address the progress and alternatives for the Bordeaux Irrigation Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA). The Plan-EA will guide federal decision-making with efforts to improve the existing water supply in the Bordeaux region of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), in order to support agricultural demand. The meeting will be held in person in St. Thomas, on February 26, 2026, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 US Code (USC) §4321 et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500-1508); 7 CFR Part 1970 (Environmental Policy and Procedures) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulation contained in 36 CFR part 800.

The watershed project is focused on the agricultural region of Bordeaux, located on the west side of the island of St. Thomas in the USVI. This project is necessary to improve water infrastructure for local farmers and sustain the agricultural system within the Bordeaux region, which supports the physical and economic well-being of the St. Thomas population. Project alternatives will identify water needs, determine necessary improvements for existing ponds, upgrade access roads, and explore alternatives for water storage and distribution system for agricultural areas.

Federal funding has been received to assist in developing the plans and environmental assessment, but it has not yet been secured for the design or construction of these projects.

During the in-person public meeting, the watershed project, planning activities to date, the various alternatives to be evaluated, and the planning schedule will be discussed. NRCS, VIDA, and their consultants will present detailed information and discuss your questions and concerns. Your participation and input matter, please plan to participate.

PUBLIC MEETING TIME AND PLACE:

Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 6:00 pm 

University of the Virgin Islands

Orville E. Kean - St. Thomas Campus - Cooperative Extension Service’s (CES) Conference Room

#2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990

*An additional agency meeting to present the same information will be held in the morning on February 26 – invitations will be sent to relevant agencies, and partners – if you are interested in attending the agency meeting, please contact NRCS using the information included below.

NRCS provides reasonable accommodation to enable all people with disabilities to participate in agency programs and activities. If you need accommodation to participate in this activity or for further information about the meeting, please contact:

Ms. Lisbeth San Miguel-Rivera, PhD

State Environmental Compliance Specialist

Phone: 939-208-0931

Lisbeth.SanMiguel-Rivera@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.