CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEES
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) has engaged the local community in assisting us to achieve our present and future goals by creating the Citizens Advisory Committees (CAC). In August of 2005, the VIWMA hosted a series of public meetings to discuss waste management in the Territory and island specific teams of professionals were selected to work with the VIWMA to assist with decision making policies to help “preserve paradise”.
A favorable response from the community resulted in a total of 40 volunteer members being selected territory-wide. There are currently 17 members for each St. Croix and St. Thomas/Water Island and 12 members on St. John.
The main reasons for establishing the CAC are to advise on long range planning of waste management initiatives, to form public-private partnerships, for members to serve as advocates in the community regarding the progress of the Authority, to pool resources, to obtain support and to give citizens a voice in decision-making and prioritizing issues regarding waste management.
These Committees will serve to advise the VIWMA on the development of policies and procedures and work in unison to achieve the VIWMA’s mission to “protect public health and the natural beauty of the environment for residents and visitors through efficient, effective and fiscally responsible practices”.
The focus groups were asked to assist with the review and development of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, the Environmental User Fee, Composting, Electronic Waste, and the Tire Management Plan for the Territory. These meetings resulted in the development of a Source Reduction Projection Chart that addressed the areas of source reduction, recycling and special waste.
Additional CACs will be formed shortly to address wastewater and other related environmental issues under the VIWMA. The Authority would like to include the valuable contribution from the expertise of our residents in future initiatives for the Territory.
If you are interested in serving on a Citizens Advisory Committee, please feel free to contact the Environmental Programs Division at 712-4961 on St. Croix or 777-3073 x203 on St. Thomas/St. John.
Downloadable Documents
Islands
