ED&A Committee Agenda 3 10 25, Notice and Agenda — Economic Development and Agriculture, March 10, 2025

Collection: Hearing Records
Sub-shelf: Economic Development and Agriculture
Kind: Hearing Record
Entity: Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Date: 2025
Type: Notice and Agenda
Pages: 2
Text: Native Text

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AGENDA MEMORANDUM TO: Members, Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture The Honorable Angel L. Bolques, Vice-Chair The Honorable Marvin A. Blyden The Honorable Alma Francis Heyliger The Honorable Marise C. James, Esq. The Honorable Franklin D. Johnson The Honorable Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. FROM: The Honorable Hubert L. Frederick _______________________ Chairman, Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture DATE: February 28, 2025 RE: March 10, 2025- Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture Meeting The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture has scheduled a meeting for Monday, March 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix, Virgin Islands to provide updates on the following: BLOCK I – 10:00 AM The Department of Planning and Natural Resources will provide a comprehensive update on its operations, regulatory responsibilities, and ongoing efforts to manage and protect the Virgin Islands’ natural, cultural, and historical resources. Key highlights will include staffing challenges, enforcement capabilities, concerns over potential loss of federal funding, updates on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s conservation and regulatory programs, ongoing environmental protection initiatives, the status of coastal development projects under the Division of Coastal Zone Management, and current efforts in historic preservation and compliance enforcement. Invited Testifiers: The Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources BLOCK II The Virgin Islands Port Authority will present an overview of its operational performance, infrastructure development projects, and efforts to improve air and seaport facilities throughout the territory. Key highlights will include a review of VIPA’s 2024 Year-End Report, progress on airport modernization projects at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and Cyril E. King Airport, updates on the $230 million CEKA terminal expansion and $140 million HERA improvements, seaport dredging plans for Charlotte Amalie Harbor, and discussions on coordination between VIPA and WICO to optimize operations and minimize redundancies. Invited Testifiers: Mr. Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority BLOCK III The Office of Cannabis Regulation will provide an update on the agency’s progress in implementing the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act and regulating the territory’s emerging cannabis industry. Key highlights will include the status of cannabis regulations, timelines for business licensing applications, updates on the track-and-trace system partnership with Metrc, staffing levels and hiring plans, public outreach initiatives for entrepreneurs, and plans for upcoming community engagement sessions. Invited Testifiers: Ms. Joanne Moorehead, Executive Director, Office of Cannabis Regulation