EFTA00582738.pdf

0 Kellerhals Ferguson Kroblin PLLC Royal Palms Professional Building, 9053 Estate Thomas, Suite 101, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802 340.779.2564 Telephone I 1.888.316.9269 Fax I www.kellfer.com May 5, 2016 Dawn L Henry, Esq. Commissioner Department of Planning and Natural Resources 8100 Lindberg Bay, Suite 61 Cyril E. King Airport Terminal Building. 2nd Floor St. Thomas, VI 00802 Jean-Pierre Oriol Director DPNR — Division of Coastal Zone Management 8100 Lindberg Bay, Suite 61 Cyril E. King Airport Terminal Building 2nd Floor St. Thomas, VI 00802 Re: Great St. James Dear Attorney Henry and Mr. Oriol: Following our meeting with Mr. Oriol and Attorney Michele Baker on April 25, 2016, Mrs. deJongh and I, along with Mr. Epstein began finalizing of list of items that we believe need to be addressed immediately on Great St. James ("GSJ"). While the list is quite comprehensive, we have narrowed the scope for purposes of this communication to the more immediate requests for which we are seeking the permission of DPNR/CZM. To the extent that you determine our requests require a permit application please advise immediately so that we may submit the appropriate paperwork. Unfortunately, what we have discovered first hand is that GSJ has been used as a dumping ground for the last twenty years, at least. Enclosed with this correspondence are photos taken during the first few weeks after the acquisition of the island. The amount of debris (as well as the type of debris) that was found on the island is staggering. Not only is it an eyesore, but in some circumstances we believe it is a health issue. In addition to boat wreckage that has languished on the shores of GSJ for years, illegally moored overnight boaters in Christmas Cove have used the shores of GSJ as their own personal trash pile and worse, as a public toilet. The shore is littered with oil and other discharge from the boats, as well as other unidentifiable effluent. It is Mr. Epstein's intention that this clean up with restore GSJ to it former natural state. Therefore, we ask for your consideration and approval of the following: 1. Approval of the Use of a Water Trailet As evidenced in the photos we have provided of GSJ, there is a tremendous amount of dried brush that has been stacked all over the island over a period of time and not properly disposed of. This creates a significant fire hazard, one which the current caretaker of GSJ would be unable to handle, as there is no fire prevention system on the island. This already significant safety concern is EFTA00582738 compounded by the fact that the current caretaker's spouse is disabled and it is imperative that they be able to deal with any potential fire issue immediately. To that end, we are requesting permission from DPNR/CZM to utilize a small tractor/pickup truck to tow a water trailer along the existing roads. Attached to this email is information on the specific water trailer that would be used on the island. 2. Erection of a Flagpole. Mr. Epstein would like to install an 80 foot flagpole on the northwest portion of the island. We have attached a map to this email indicated where he would like to locate the flagpole. The preparation of the footing for the flagpole would require the excavation of a hole for a concrete footing of approximately 2 feet by 2 feet and 8 feet deep. The hole would then be filled with concrete in connection with the setting of the flagpole. 3. Clean up of Roads to Caretaker's Cottage and Quonset Hut. We would like permission to remove debris from the existing roads that extend from the main house to the caretaker's cottage, pool area and the quonset hut. We anticipate this project will require five (5) people for a period of two (2) weeks and will also require the use of a small excavator and/or track hoe. 4. Clean up of Christmas Cove and Shallow Bay Beachu. We are also requesting permission to remove man-made debris from Christmas Cove and Shallow Bay. We anticipate that the debris removal from the beaches will take approximately five (5) people a total of eight (8) weeks. It may require the use of a small track hoe and/or excavator, however these machines would only be used to remove debris. We would ask that you send a representative of your agency out to GSJ as soon as possible so that we can delineate the specific areas for clean- up and develop a plan for completing the debris removal. Our final request to clean up Christmas Cove and Shallow Bay raises an issue for which we are seeking your input. The prior owners created piles of garbage and debris all over the island that were left to rot. Besides being unsightly, this creates health and environmental hazards. Their actions have resulted in the accumulation of thousands of pounds of trash that must be disposed of properly. We estimate that it may take up to 100 dumpsters to collect the debris and detritus of the former owners. Due to the fact that the waters surrounding GSJ are part of the St James Marine Reserve, we are asking for your assistance in developing a debris removal plan that will allow for the removal of debris from GSJ with as little environmental impact as possible. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you. Very truly yours, Erika Kellerhals cc: Michele Baker EFTA00582739