The health of the US Virgin Islands community and the air quality in the territory are in jeopardy. The goal of Bill No. 36-0232 is to reverse Act 8018, the “Ban the Burn” law, to allow air curtain incineration (ACI). This technology was prohibited due to community health and environmental concerns. Tell them NO.

Landfill fires continue to be a hazard in the USVI, costing the territory millions to extinguish while polluting our air and causing health issues. Unfortunately lack of chipping, mulching and composting of green and brown debris caused piles to ignite. Chipping, mulching and composting this material is the best way to not only prevent future fires but provide much needed soil nutrients, vital to supporting farmers and food security in the territory. 

Instead Bill 0232 aims to allow burning of this nutrient-rich RESOURCE. ACI was banned in 2017 following the hurricanes because it emits hazardous gases, chemicals and particulate matter that lodges in the lungs, putting Virgin Islanders in danger. True it is less harmful than open air burning, but it is far worse than chipping, mulching and composting. 

The burning of brush, wood and other organic material via ACI will increase air pollution and associated health problems, including exacerbation of asthma in children and adults, increased severity of COPD and heart disease. This will impact vulnerable communities who live nearest to burn sites, such as Bovani and Anguilla. Vegetative debris is currently commingled with other debris such as plastic, household debris, treated wood, etc. Therefore the release of pollutants into the atmosphere is especially concerning, particularly if sargassum, toxic if burned, is in the mix. We are currently one of three locales meeting WHO’s air quality standards, but this legislation could very well change that.

Please join us in appealing to the Senate to vote NO on Bill 36-0232!

There was an attempt to push the $6.7 million ACI bill through the full senate on March 18 after being held in committee on the 11th due to concerns that testimony from health and environmental experts was not heard and no community input was gathered. One must ask WHY? It was eventually heard in committee and passed on March 23, with a full senate vote to be scheduled. Tell senators to vote NO!

Chipping, mulching and composting would boost food security, aligning with the Senate and governor’s Agriculture Plan, a priority for the territory. Let’s turn this green and brown debris into nutrient-rich “black gold” that enriches soil while reducing the need for imports. We already have a blueprint: a group of composting experts worked together to develop a Vegetative Debris Management Plan following the hurricanes.

Join The Bovoni Council, Virgin Islands Good Food, St. Croix Environmental Association, VI Conservation Society, VI Farmers Alliance, Coral Bay Community Council, Empowering People for Real Change, Virgin Islands Alliance for Consumer Justice, Virgin Islands Environmental Association, Island Green Living and many others: We must preserve the long-standing public policy that in the Virgin Islands, we do not burn our vegetative debris. And we must protect our community and the environment for generations to come while reducing our dependence on imported food!