INTRODUCTION
 

The Virgin Islands Hydroseeding Demonstration Project is a Territory-wide demonstration project whose purpose is to promote the practice of hydroseeding for use on construction sites, roadsides, and other disturbed soils in order to reduce sediment loads to surface waters.

One of the primary nonpoint source pollutants impairing U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) coastal waters and degrading USVI coral reef systems is sediment that has eroded from construction sites; unpaved roads, driveways, and parking areas; and other disturbed soils. Because of the shallow, clayey soils and steep slopes prevalent in the USVI, the small size of the Islands, and the proximity of any given construction site to beaches and marine resources, there exists an urgent need to revegetate disturbed soils quickly. However, the majority of the construction taking place in the USVI does not employ effective erosion and/or sediment control practices. In many cases, those erosion and sediment control practices that are employed fail due to improper design, installation, and/or lack of maintenance. Therefore, it has become necessary to introduce and promote innovative methods, such as hydroseeding, to help reduce nonpoint source pollution caused by land-clearing activities.

Hydroseeding -- an erosion and sediment control practice that rapidly stabilizes disturbed soils with grasses -- offers great potential for use in the Virgin Islands. However, in the past this practice had only been implemented on a limited basis within the Territory due to inaccessibility, high transportation costs, and a lack of knowledge regarding the practice.

The operating premise was that the introduction of Hydroseeders would make it possible for government agencies, as well as the general public, to vegetate most areas efficiently and economically, thereby minimizing nonpoint source pollution from land-clearing activities.

 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
 The hydroseeders purchased for this project were used for demonstrations
during erosion and sediment control workshops held at the University of the
Virgin Islands, and also to seed roadsides on St. Thomas and slopes at the
Anguilla landfill and an eroding gut channel on St. Croix.  Grass seed
mixture  suitability for various conditions was investigated at these
sites.  Public interest in utilizing the hydroseeders led to development of
a certification workshop and equipment operation policy for hydroseeder
use.   More detailed information on the project can be found by following
the links below.
 

Equipment

 

Implementation

 

Results

 

Grass Info.

 

Manual

 

Certification Program

 

SPONSORING AGENCIES:This project was funded through a grant received from the NOAA  Coastal Services Center (CSC, now ) and conducted by the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Coastal Zone Management Program, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works Environmental Services Division, the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, and the Virgin Islands Conservation District, with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Janice Hodge, Nonpoint Source Specialist
DPNR Coastal Zone Management Program
396-1 Estate Anna's Retreat
Foster Plaza
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Tel.: (340) 774-3320
Fax: (340) 775-5706
jhodge@uvi.edu

Julie Wright, Natural Resources Specialist
UVI Cooperative Extension Service
#2 John Brewers Bay
St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990
Tel.: (340) 693-1082
Fax: (340) 693-1085
jwright@uvi.edu

Rudy O'Reilly, Soil Conservationist (VICD Technical Advisor)
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
5030 Anchor Way, Suite #2
Gallows Bay
Christiansted, VI 00824
Tel.: (340) 692-9662
Fax: (340) 692-9607

Miguel Santos
VI Department of Public Works
#6002 Anna's Hope
Christiansted, VI 00820-4414
Tel.: (340) 773-1290
Fax: (340) 773-0083