Blue Flag Program US Virgin Islands

The Environmental and Tourism Win/Win of the Blue Flag Initiative

Overview The Blue Flag initiative is a voluntary quality program for beaches and marinas The program is ran by Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Recognized in 49 countries to include: Greece, Untied Kingdom, South Africa, South America, New Zealand, Canada, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic

Development of the Blue Flag Programme 1985: Blue Flag idea introduced in France 1987: Blue Flag introduced in Europe with EU support 1992: Similar Blue Flag criteria in all European countries 2001: Blue Flag Programme became international with South Africa 2004: Blue Flag implemented in the Caribbean : Blue Flag implemented in Brazil, Canada, Morocco, New Zealand, Tunisia 2009: 41 countries with full Blue Flag status – 8 countries working on implementing Blue Flag

Blue Flag Beach Program Beach Criteria Water Quality Compliance with standards for excellent bathing water quality No industrial or sewage related discharges may affect the beach area Compliance of the community with requirements for sewage treatment and effluent quality

Blue Flag Beach Program Beach Criteria Safety and Services Lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment must be available at the beach A map of the beach indicating different facilities must be displayed An emergency plan to cope with pollution safety risks must be in place Environmental Management The beach must be clean Camping and driving must be regulated A beach management committee must be established to be in charge of the environmental management system

Blue Flag Beach Program Beach Criteria Environmental Education and Information Information about coastal zone eco-systems and nearby sensitive areas must be displayed Information about bathing water quality must be posted A code of conduct for the beach area must be displayed A minimum of 5 environmental education activities must be offered

Socio Economic Benefits to the USVI Enhanced Quality Coastal Recreation Community stewardship of beaches through the Blue Flag program. UVI – Marine Science program & DPNR & EPA: Internships – water quality testing: data collection and analysis sharing UVI – Hospitality Program & Blue Flag Beaches Internships – Environmental Management of Coastal Recreation areas

Socio Economic Benefits to the USVI Environmental Education – Partnership with VIMAS, VINE and DPNR to support local initiatives - Such as keeping paradise in its place campaign VIWMA - Develop Recycling Programs – Partner Blue Flag beaches with local schools to develop recycling practices where collected proceed benefit school environmental projects. Funding for this program will be spent in the US Virgin Islands

Blue Flag in a New Country 1. NGO as FEE member 2. Blue Flag information workshop 3. Establish USVI Blue Flag committee & National Jury 4. Production of a Blue Flag feasibility study 5. Agreement on Blue Flag criteria to be used 6. Blue Flag pilot phase at selected pilot site 7. Identify environmental NGO to partner with and implement to Programme 8. Final launch of the Blue Flag Programme – 12/1/ Marina pilot phase – December 1, Green Key phase one – January 1, 2012 * Each program takes approximately 2 years to implement

National Jury Allegra Kean Moorehead -Dept. of Tourism Commissioner Alicia Barnes – DPNR/CZM Jim Casey - Environmental Protection Agency (Federal) Mario Leonard - Waste Management Authority Deb Bundy - American Red Cross Liliian Moolenaar - VI Network of Environmental Educators Audrey Penn - Friends of National Park Juel Anderson - Department of Education Christine Settar - UVI –Marine Advisory Service Anne Marie Hoffman - STEER – TNC

Blue Flag USVI Pilot Beaches Lindbergh Bay Emerald Beach Resort Great Bay Ritz Carlton Resort Trunk Bay National Park Pelican Cove Palm Resort Magen’s Bay Beach Magen’s Bay Authority

Virgin Islands Conservation Society

AN ECO-LABEL FOR LEISURE ORGANIZATIONS

Green Key – EDIN-USVI-EEWG Mission: The Green Key is a program of the Foundation for Environmental Education similar to Blue Flag. The purpose of the program is to develop and manage an eco-label for environmental and sustainability issues in leisure organizations. Green Key is implemented through a certification program as a means to increase the awareness of the owner, staff and client of the potential for environmental and sustainability opportunities in their direct (natural) environment and enables them to take action.

Green Key – EDIN-USVI-EEWG Goals: 1.Economical management as a reduction consumption to induce a reduction of the costs; 2.Environmental and sustainable preservation by the reduction of the impacts of the facility; 3.Environmental and sustainable education of the owner, the staff and the client; 4.Marketing strategy with the promotion of the label and the facilities awarded.

Green Key – EDIN-USVI-EEWG Benefits of early implementation: INCREASE REVENUE by reducing operational costs related to energy and water consumption; REDUCE RISK against future energy and water utility rate increases; BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER as Eco- Tourism is the strongest growing category among travelers; BE PROACTIVE and speed up the certification process once Blue Flag has been completed.

Thank you!