Smith Bay & Water Bay Watershed Study
The Smith Bay / Water Bay Nonpoint Source Pollution Education / Outreach Project engaged the Smith Bay community and other public and private stakeholders in characterizing the conditions and suggesting solutions to the stormwater and NPS pollution problems in the SB / WB watershed. There is no doubt that serious environmental and public health & welfare threats exist as a result of the stormwater and NPS pollution problem. Public outrage over the situation was well known, especially because of flooding on Smith Bay Road and standing water on Coki Point Road in recent years. The goals of this project were to inform the public on the causes of the storm water and NPS pollution problems they are witnessing in their watershed and suggest priority projects (Best Management Practices or BMPs) that will mitigate those problems, while positioning the community to seek funding for implementation ofBMPs through publication of a watershed management plan that satisfies USEnvironmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Guidelines.Gathering, compilation and reporting of technical watershed information was led by the Horsley Witten Group (HW) with input and guidance on problems and opportunities from local residents and businesses.The Virgin Islands ConservationSociety (VICS) and the Smith Bay Community Action Foundation (SBCAF)coordinated stakeholder involvement and project communication through town hall meetings, public events, a website and social media.