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FLOOR 12/18/2024-SPECIAL ORDERED TO THE FLOOR BILL NO. 35-0427 Thirty-Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands December 18, 2024 An Act requiring the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to conduct a feasibility study, including a cost analysis, for the installation of a sewer line from Five Corners to Villa La Reine, St. Croix PROPOSED BY: Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 1 SECTION 1. (a) The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority shall conduct, or 2 cause to be conducted, a feasibility study to evaluate the viability of installing a sewer line from 3 Five Corners to Villa La Reine, St. Croix. The study must assess technical, economic, 4 environmental, and regulatory factors related to the project. 5 (b) At a minimum, the feasibility study must include: 6 (1) An analysis of the need for improved sewage infrastructure in the project 7 area, addressing current deficiencies and accommodating future population growth; 8 (2) A clear definition of the project’s purpose, geographic scope, and operational 9 parameters; 10 (3) A survey of the number of households and businesses along the proposed 11 route to assess sewage needs; 12 2 (4) An evaluation of potential sewer line routes, considering land use, 1 topography, and existing utilities; 2 (5) An assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed sewer line 3 installation; and 4 (6) A comprehensive cost analysis, including initial construction costs and long- 5 term maintenance and operational expenses. 6 (c) The feasibility study report must include a summary of findings, detailed 7 recommendations, and any supporting documentation, including maps, charts, and data 8 analyses. 9 (d) The Authority shall consult with the Departments of Public Works, Planning and 10 Natural Resources, and other relevant agencies, to ensure compatibility with existing 11 infrastructure and compliance with environmental regulations. 12 SECTION 2. The feasibility study must commence no later than 180 days after the 13 enactment of this Act and be submitted to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands within 30 days 14 of its completion. 15 SECTION 3. The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority shall seek and utilize 16 all available grants and funding sources to cover the costs of the feasibility study. If sufficient 17 external funding is not secured, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority must request 18 an appropriation from the Legislature to complete the study. 19 SECTION 4. (a) If the feasibility study concludes that the installation and operation of 20 the sewer line are viable, and sufficient funding is secured from federal grants and other 21 sources, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority may proceed with the development 22 and operation of the sewer infrastructure. 23 3 (b) If the feasibility study determines the project is not viable, the Virgin Islands Waste 1 Management Authority shall submit alternative recommendations to address sewage 2 infrastructure deficiencies in the area. 3 SECTION 5. For purposes of this Act: 4 (a) "Feasibility study" means an analysis conducted to evaluate the technical, 5 economic, environmental, and regulatory aspects of a proposed infrastructure project. 6 (b) "Sewer line" means a pipeline or conduit designed to transport wastewater 7 from households or businesses to a treatment facility or disposal site. 8 BILL SUMMARY 9 This bill requires the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority to conduct a feasibility 10 study assessing the viability of installing a sewer line from Five Corners to Villa La Reine, St. 11 Croix. The study must evaluate technical, economic, environmental, and regulatory factors and 12 include a cost analysis, environmental impact assessment, and consultation with relevant 13 agencies. The findings must be submitted to the Legislature, and if the project is deemed viable 14 and funding is secured, the Authority may proceed with development. Alternative 15 recommendations must be provided if the project is not viable. 16 BR24-1413/December 16, 2024/KEH 17