Release Date: January 18, 2022
Contact: Nigel Fields, 340-776-6201 ext. 431
National Park Service seeks public input on Caneel Bay redevelopment options
ST. JOHN, U.S. Virgin Islands—The National Park Service (NPS) today released an initial set of
concepts that could guide the redevelopment of Caneel Bay at Virgin Islands National Park. The
public is invited to provide input on the concepts for 30 days beginning Jan. 18.
“We developed a preliminary range of options that prioritize the protection of resources and
expand public access to Caneel Bay,” said Virgin Islands National Park Superintendent Nigel
Fields. “Civic engagement is an important part of the redevelopment process. We look forward to
receiving the public’s feedback as we work together to create the best possible future for Caneel
Bay.”
While the Caneel Bay retained use estate (RUE) will remain in place until its expiration on
September 30, 2023, the NPS began planning for the Caneel Bay redevelopment last fall. The goals
of the redevelopment plan are to ensure the preservation and protection of natural, cultural and
marine resources, provide for economic development opportunities through commercial
services, maximize operational efficiencies, and ensure compliance with law, regulation and
policy.
In line with these objectives, four preliminary redevelopment options are proposed for the public
to comment on, including:
– Alternative A— The NPS preliminary proposed action balances enhanced public
access, recreational opportunities, resource protection and park operational efficiency,
while re-establishing a world-class overnight experience at a luxury resort. Additionally,
the concept calls for a mid-range overnight experience at Hawksnest Beach separate from
the resort, and the NPS would provide space for an organization to design, fund,
construct, and operate a community destination, such as an amphitheater, museum or
cultural center.
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– Alternative B offers a similar management approach to Alternative A, except the resort
area is expanded and a mid-range overnight experience and public access at Hawksnest
Beach is removed.
– Alternative C includes all resort zone elements identified in Alternative A, and the resort
zone is similar to that of the historic boundaries of the Caneel Bay RUE. No visitor
services would be provided at the site for non-resort guests, and the NPS would not
provide a community space at the Caneel Bay area.
– No-Action Alternative assumes sole management by the NPS upon expiration of the RUE
in 2023. The NPS would not issue any permit, lease or concession contract. The NPS
would minimally restore the site to allow for safe access by visitors through existing roads
and trails, including safe access to beaches.
Additional information about the proposed redevelopment options can be found at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CaneelBayRedevelopment and will be discussed at the public
engagement meetings.
NPS will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. AST. Members of the
public can attend the virtual event or submit written comments by visiting
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/CaneelBayRedevelopment.
Written comments may also be hand-delivered or mailed to the park headquarters at:
Caneel Bay Redevelopment and Management Plan
c/o Superintendent Nigel Fields
1300 Cruz Bay Creek
St. John, VI 00830
About Caneel Bay: Caneel Bay currently operates under a retained use estate (RUE), a unique
arrangement crafted by Laurance S. Rockefeller in 1983, setting aside the 150-acre resort for
independent operation and management within Virgin Islands National Park without NPS
oversight. The NPS expects to assume full responsibility for the property when the RUE expires on
September 30, 2023. The resort was severely damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and
remains mostly closed. In addition to long being an economic driver on the island, Caneel Bay is also
an important cultural and historical site and the location of the 1733 Akwamu Slave Rebellion, one
of the first sustained revolts of enslaved people in the Americas. Current information about the NPS
redevelopment of Caneel Bay is available at https://www.nps.gov/viis/caneelbay.htm.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s
423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and
create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook,
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