The Waste Management Authority that was formed in 2004, under former Governor Charles Turnbull’s Administration, is proposing user fees on residents.

The authority has been conducting town hall meetings on all three Islands in the Virgin Islands, discussing their proposed waste management user fees with Virgin Islanders.

The reception that they received from residents on St. Croix and St. Thomas was met with fierce resistance to accept the proposed user fees. The final town hall meeting was conducted on the island of St. John, in a reserved setting.

Waste Management Authority is proposing taxing all items that is imported into the territory; which is practically everything. Living in the Virgin Islands 98% of all goods is delivered by air mail or by boat shipment. They have come up with a per pound fee schedule that could cost as much as 12 cents a pound on goods. http://dpnr.gov.vi/dep/solid_waste.htm

They have also incorporated wastewater user fees as well. The fees will differ for residences and businesses that use the public wastewater system.

The Virgin Islands Public Services Commission will hold a hearing on November 28, 2007, whether to accept the proposal or reject it. The PSC would have to approve the fees before they can be implemented. http://psc.gov.vi/info/wastewater.htm

Virgin Islands residents are not happy with the user fees, in the wake of gas prices sky rocketing and WAPA increasing electrical bills by 30%. Local residents need to petition their legislative representatives and let them know they’re against the user fees schedule and WAPA increases. http://www.legvi.org