Please go to Facebook and access the “Save Lindbergh Bay” site. Read the historical documents to understand only some of the reasons the Coalition to Save Lindbergh Bay is against the dredge dumping site. I find it impossible to believe dumping silty (and yes, polluted) soil/sand in a hole that is not a dead zone, as the proponents of the dumping project assert, could be “good” for the environment and although I am no scientist I find it impossible to believe anyone else could either.

Thanks so much for your comment and suggestion for all of our readers. This is a critical topic that needs to be resolved in a responsible manner. Spread the word regarding this article so others can log in with their comments.

I have been put on notice the decision of the CZM on Tuesday may the fifth 2009 in the district of Saint Thomas USVI , on the issue of dredging of the harbor and dumping the dredged material into Lindbergh BAY . I find it my duty as inhabitant of the earth to warn who it may concern of the following :

ANALYSING OF DREDGING BEFOR DUMPING? A promise?

Samples take 13 days to have the result , and a cost of xxx$ for the sample testing. This would mean that each scoop of dredge should be sampled and tested prior to dumping, so basically what the czm is promising to do is sample each scoopful of the dredged material, wait 13 days for the results and then decide if it is healthy to dump the dredge into the bay. How many scoopfuls represent the total dredging?
How long will it take to do the entire job at xxx$ cost per scoop? This means that each scoop should be put aside until safe data results permit the disposal into Lindbergh bay.
Is this possible? Or will there be random testing performed maybe once a week and the results will be known once the dredge has already been dumped in the bay.
We are aware of the fact that mercury, sits in patches, so if there are traces of mercury in the harbor spoils, there is bound to be big patches where the concentration will be lethal .
Known effects of mercury on human health
: Organic forms, specifically methyl mercury, are the most toxic of the 3 classes of mercurials. The GI tract absorbs more than 90% of the methyl mercury ingested, which then enters the bloodstream. Because mercury binds to the body’s ubiquitous sulfhydryl groups, toxicity involves multiple organ systems. Structural proteins, membranes, and enzymes are all disrupted.
Methyl mercury exerts its most devastating effect on the CNS by causing psychiatric disturbances, ataxia, visual loss, hearing loss, and neuropathy. Methyl mercury is lipophilic and readily crosses the blood-brain and placentofetal barriers. Neurologic damage in the form of diffuse and widespread neuronal atrophy is most severe in patients exposed in utero.
Necrosis of the proximal tubules is a common direct renal toxic effect. Unexplained renal abnormalities with neuropsychiatric disturbances should prompt the physician to consider Minamata disease or other forms of mercury poisoning.
Frequency
United States
Mercury poisoning is episodic and usually involves the inhalation of elemental mercury vapor or an exposure to inorganic mercuric salts; methyl mercury intoxication has been reported in the United States.
International
Worldwide, outbreaks of methyl mercury intoxication are sporadic. Minamata Bay in Japan was involved in the first and most famous epidemic but not the largest. In the early 1970s, one of the most severe mass poisonings in history occurred in Iraq when nearly 95,000 tons of seed grains treated with a methyl mercury–based fungicide were accidentally baked into bread for human consumption.2 More than 6000 individuals were hospitalized, and hundreds died. Many were hospitalized for weeks before methyl mercury intoxication was correctly diagnosed.

Mercury mining areas in China have also contributed to cases of methyl mercury poisoning through the ingestion of rice grown in contaminated soil.3
Mortality/Morbidity
• Of the original 121 individuals from Minamata Bay who were affected (see Frequency), nearly one third died shortly after their initial presentation.1
• Subsequent investigations over the last 3 decades resulted in the identification of more than 2000 additional patients who were affected by chronic sequelae of Minamata disease.1
• Of the more than 6000 Iraqi patients (see Frequency), 459 died.2
Sex
Both sexes can be affected.
Age
Although Minamata disease can affect children of all ages, babies exposed in utero are most severely affected.
• Autopsy evidence reveals that brain atrophy is significantly worse in children than in adults.
• Exposure to mercury has been suggested to contribute to the development of autism in children.
o Although the mechanism for this disorder has many hypotheses, no evidence has confirmed or disproved a causal relationship between mercury exposure and the development of autism. In fact, in one recent study, the discontinuation of thimerosal-containing vaccines in Denmark seemed to be followed by an increase in incidence of autism.4
o Further studies are needed to elucidate a link, if any, between mercury exposure and autism development.

We now know that the dredged material will be floating in Lindbergh bay, thus the pollution will not stay In the bay, but will go where the currents will take them. So basically, the dumping of the polluted dredged material will be polluting all of saint Thomas and probably the near islands as well.
This means basically that the czm has just voted for an ecological catastrophe that will undoubtedly
Have disastrous effects on the environment of stt and it’s population. I just wanted you to know exactly what is going to happen.
What will be the long term future of Saint Thomas? Desert coast with hardly no fish and no corals or turtles, a population of brain damaged people , sick with leukemia , kidney and liver destruction, and moreover no visitors at all. We only have one earth, which some call mother earth, the symbol of mother earth is the turtle. We kill the turtles, we kill our mother the earth and we kill ourselves of Corse.
So now I wish a happy death to all inhabitants of Saint Thomas, it’s turtles and beauty. Because if you have five minutes to check out this link , you will certainly know more of what is really happening.
http://www.oceana.org/north-america/what-we-do/stop-cruise-ship-pollution/ – 54k
Jacqueline Tardieu

Hello Jacqueline, Thank you for taking the time to log in on this topic and provide the above information. I hope there will be further consideration of the dumping in Lindbergh Bay.

Hello Jim,
First I would like to thank you for your hospitality, and the efforts you make to let people express their thoughts on this important issue. I m not americain, but have followed closely on facebook the ongoing of the “lindbergh bay coalition”
There is a gentleman of Saint Thomas who proposed to leave the big ships out of the harbor in deeper waters and have water taxies bring the passengers on island. I don’t know if this is possible, but what I do know, because
I checked through the internet to be sure of my statement saying that 13 days were required to do the lab testing of the samples and the closest I could get was :
Selecting a Lab
First off, ask for a facsimile report to examine. According to Engberg, labs tend to specialize in either agricultural or landscape testing. The biggest giveaway is how recommendations are expressed, in pounds per thousand square feet (agricultural), or in specific products commonly available to provide the appropriate nutrient mix (landscape). Regarding overall report layout, Engberg and Fesko claimed a quality report should start with raw data representing the various soil properties. Second up should be an interpretive explanation of the analytical data, usually with graphical representations of nutrient deficiencies and surpluses. The final section should provide recommendations based on the interpretations in a landscape format as discussed. All this information should be clearly legible and explainable to customers.
Key aspects of the laboratory to consider begin with turn-around time. Engberg notes modern computing technology should make data available in a week. Fesko and Engberg both agreed a quality lab should provide sample bags with sampling instructions and a place for noting project info like the plants involved and other relevant site details. Fesko also noted the importance of a sound quality assurance program and having the ability to perform any specialized tests you might need.
So I suppose that realisticaly 13 days is correct. I realy am conserned about you all nd only hope that everybody in Saint Thoms knows exactly what is going to happen. Because the CZM said that they would check each dredge before dumping it into lindbergh bay. Now we know that this is not realistic. We also know that the dredged material if not cimented when dumped will not stay in the hole. Further more the toxins that are currently in the harbor are not toxic because they are in the grounds, but when dredging will occur, then the toxins will be released and this is when trouble starts. I am quite surprised that scientists could have said that the dumping of theharbor mud would enhance the quality of the water in lindbergh bay. Or was this only a joke?
again thank you Jim for all your efforts.
jacqueline

Hello Jacqueline, It is always my pleasure to allow for a forum for those who want to express a serious opinion regarding what is going on in the Caribbean. It would be interesting for the CZM to enter into our blog site comments.

Hello Jim,
Yes, indeed it would! Do you think that they will have the guts to do it though? Do you think that they will sign their names while lying to their own people? I doupt it! May this be an invitation to them!The big quistion is “to whom does the crime profit?”

Hi Jacqueline…you may want to write a well crafted editorial to The Source, which is the internet newspaper for St. Thomas and St. John. That may be a way to engage the CZM in a written dialogue about this critical issue. Until next time…

Hi again Jim,
I am not English so I couldn’t “you may want to write a well crafted ” but I am willing to do research on this matter and post it through to you. What is most important, to my point of view is that people need to realize where they are heading for. There may be a chance that the army corps will do their job properly, after the disaster they have to answer for in new York. “Environmental Victory in New York Harbor Dredging Court Battle
Army Corps of Engineers Required to Conduct Strict Monitoring to Prevent Spread of Toxic Sediments from Massive Subsurface Superfund Site”
I am aware that Saint Thomas has nothing to compare with the port of NY, but there is a common denominator: sediments of dredged harbors.
I find all this saddening when you know that there would have been a solution for the dumping with Puerto Rico, but that would have boosted the cost of a little percentage…a little price to pay now when you realize the cost the community ultimately will have to pay.
Jacqueline

It is important for all of us to learn from other’s mistakes. The environment mess left from 9/11 for NYC to deal with was unimaginable. And, all of the health risks have yet to be identified. The effects will be felt for many generations. The project you are highlighting on our blog site is criticle. We are always available as a community forum.

Hi Jim,
I saw « the planet of the monkeys » am not sure of the title in English and apologize. But the striking image is the one of the statue of liberty fallen in the mud and the hero says “they managed to wreak their world”. This was years ago, but it was a message for all of us. We are wreaking our world. Our tunnel vision doesn’t go farther than the tip of our nose. They are talking about 30 million dollars extra income for the island. Will this be true with dirty beaches and stinky air? Do you think that tourists will come on holidays to a polluted island? Would you ? I certainly wouldn’t! Everyone is excited at the perspective of millions of dollars, they don’t realize that the millions of dollars they are dreaming of: they live on it and are ready to destroy that for a lure of more millions. Already the cruise ships are major polluters of the sea and air, making space for more pollution? One cruise ship makes the same pollution as 12 000 cars, just from the chimneys…The world is changing and people want more and more to visit pretty places. Saint Thomas is a pretty place. Or should we use the word “was” if we go ahead with this dredging and dumping business…The ones who will have millions dollars in the future are the ones who will have respected their environment . The ones who will have beautiful beaches , pure air and pure waters , something special and something different. We have come to a point where we cannot build more extract more make more money. We have come to a point where quietness, beauty and untroubled nature are going to be the main features we will to look for. Saint Thomas is going for suicide and manslaughter. All this legally. Economical suicide and physical manslaughter. Would this sound nice: “ Come and visit Saint Thomas, it’s polluted beaches, dirty water , and look at the sick population” It could be labeled ““horror cruise lines “ and Saint Thomas will have sign posts all over saying “ if you are not sick of life, keep breathing mask on face at all times” “stay away from water” “ don’t eat local food”!
I still do not know why there is such a definite stubbornness to dump the muck into Lindbergh bay.
I suppose that someone or many are going to empocket mega bucks under the counter for this uprising mess. The truth will come up one day , it always does!
This case sounds a bit like ours:
Dear Minister Tim Pallas
RE: Port Phillip Bay Channel Deepening Project; Dredging of Yarra River bed
It is clear that the many people are concerned about the potential effects of dredging of the Yarra
River bed. Many doctors believe this is an important public health issue and unfortunately we were
not widely consulted on this issue earlier. We have explored the scientific evidence, the dredging
literature and spoken extensively with toxicologists. We are not convinced that dredging the Yarra
River bed and storing it out into the middle of Port Phillip Bay is safe or best practice. We currently
have a relatively clean bay with healthy marine life. Recreational anglers are proud to be able to
catch fresh fish for their families and many people use the beach for recreation use, swimming,
fishing, wind-surfing, etc. A healthy bay provides many benefits which combine to make Melbourne
a wonderful place to live and raise families.
According to the Environment Effects Statement, the Yarra River bed is highly contaminated with
dangerous chemicals and heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic.1 Some of
the dangerous chemicals include: the carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and
pesticides such as DDT. The EPA has also identified dioxins in fish from the Yarra but these were
not addressed in the SEES report. As you may be aware, these chemicals and heavy metals such
as lead, mercury and cadmium which are present in the Yarra bed can build up in the body and can
cause problems to the immune and nervous system, and lead to learning difficulties and
behavioural problems especially to children. Already Foods Standards Australia New Zealand
(FSANZ) recommends pregnant women and children to restrict their consumption of some fish
such as flake (shark) as they are high in mercury. The chemicals dioxins and PAH are known to be
carcinogenic. It is also known that combinations of 2 or more toxins at supposedly safe levels can
have a multiplier effect and become more harmful than the individual toxins alone. Thus the effects
of the combined toxins to be released via the dredging are unpredictable and the statements that
there will be no effect on human health are unfounded. Please let us know if you would like copies
of the scientific literature. Also attached are letters from Associate Professor Luis Vitetta of the
Centres for Health Research, University of Queensland and Professor Michael Moore, director for
the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, University of Queensland both
supporting and substantiating our concerns.
While the effect of the toxic cocktail that will be released from dredging operations is not known, it is
known that dredging can create a plume of fine silts and contaminants which are released into the
water column once the seabed is disturbed. In the highly contaminated Yarra bed there is no
question that dredging will stir up these dangerous chemicals and disperse them into the bay, to the
local beaches allowing them to accumulate up the food chain, putting penguins, dolphins and
humans at risk and potentially cause a serious public health issue.
1 Northern Channels Sediment Investigation, Port Phillip Bay Supplementary EES
URS, prepared for Golder Associates, 17 January 2007 Section 5 Results 5-1 to 5-64.
We are most concerned about this plume formation and the potential distribution of contaminants
being dispersed by dredging into the northern Port Phillip Bay food chain and onto northern bayside
beaches. This situation occurred in Sydney. Contamination of Sydney Harbour seafood followed
dredging and plume formation from the Homebush Bay in preparation of the Sydney Olympics.
Extremely high levels of heavy metals and chemicals (similar to those found in Yarra sediment)
were identified following dredging of the Harbour. Consequently, commercial fishing was banned at
Sydney Harbour in January 2006 after tests revealed high levels of dioxin in marine life and in
fisherman who ate fish from the Harbour. Many of the main polluters escaped fines and
responsibility despite their years of well documented contamination, leaving the pollution cleanup
the responsibility of the NSW State Government, with taxpayers footing the bill for the cleanup,
which continues to this day.
If these chemicals or heavy metals leak into the bay either from dredging or from the northern
dredge material disposal site which has a design life of 30 years, we may not be able to eat the fish
from the bay or it may even be dangerous for us to swim in some beaches in the future.
We have a responsibility to care for our bay, and keep it safe and clean for future generations to
enjoy. We appreciate your efforts to allow safe passage of vessels into the Port of Melbourne, but
as concerned doctors we ask that you consider the long term impact of dredging and the release of
harmful toxins, and to re-consider the dredging of the Yarra to ensure that the toxins in the Yarra
River bed are not disturbed and that contaminated materials are not stored in Port Phillip Bay.
We thank-you for your time and sincerely look forward to your urgent response.
Yours faithfully,

Good morning Jim,
Here is another result of water intoxication caused by dredging harbors. This caused definite mortality of amphipod : Amphipod is any of the small, largely marine, shrimp-like crustaceans comprising the arthropod order Amphipoda. Included among the amphipods are the abundant sand-hoppers or beach-fleas, the predaceous ghost shrimp, and the whale ectoparasites Cyamus.
Amphipods are extremely abundant, diverse, and widespread crustaceans, found in nearly all marine and freshwater habitats (Lowry and Springhorpe 2001). They are particularly important in providing benefit to ecosystems in marine food chains, as herbivores, detritivores, micropredators, and scavengers

Abstract
The sensitivity of the benthic amphipod species Ampelisca brevicornis and Corophium volutator to dredged sediments was compared through simultaneous testing on the standard 10 days sediment toxicity test. The results of mortality obtained for 22 harbor sediments sampled at several Spanish ports were studied together with the physico-chemical characteristics of the samples to obtain the incidence of toxicity in terms of dredged material categories and to identify possible differences in the amphipod mortality results when using one or another test species. The results showed a similar incidence of toxicity for medium-high and highly contaminated sediments for both amphipod species, similar to that obtained through the comparison of the chemical concentrations measured in sediments with the single limit values used in Spain for dredged material characterization and management. On the contrary, C. volutator presented a higher mortality and a higher incidence of toxicity when exposed to low and medium-low contaminated sediments, which may have been caused by the lower sensitivity of A. brevicornis when exposed to sediments from its natural environment. When compared to other amphipod species used for whole sediment toxicity assessment, both amphipod species used in this study reported slightly higher sensitivities although these differences could have been associated to the different set of chemical compounds considered when characterizing the sediment samples. In this sense, the amphipod mortality results were better predicted through the use of mean quotients than just by comparing the measured chemical concentrations with the single limit values used in Spain, which indicates that the toxic response of both species was caused by the cocktail of contaminants present in the sediments. Finally, the correlation analysis identified a higher association between A. brevicornis mortality and the metallic contaminants while C. volutator was more correlated with the organic micro-pollutants. Despite these differences, the results indicate that Ampelisca brevicornis can be used as test organism for dredged material characterization when enough individuals of other recommended species such as Corophium volutator are not available.

I will agree to the fact that we are not supposed to be Amphipod’s , but since they are important to the marine food chain and ecosystem ultimately we will be affected. If we kill what is the smallest in the food chain we kill everyone that depends on it. I just hope that we are not heading for a “mad max” scenery where everything is desolate and bare… I am quite old and have had a life, filled with beautiful natural sites. But what are we leaving for our children? I do not think that it is fair to pop by and destroy everything because we lived 70 or more years on earth . We only have one life so they say, but does that give us the right to destroy the life of future generations? Why have children if it is to leave them with a garbage dump when what we had was a garden? I would like to compare this with a sign that we find in French public toilets: “please leave this place as clean as you’ve found it”

Good morning Jim and america!
I found the Source of may the 6th and this is what I see: May 6, 2009 — In about a half-hour on Tuesday evening, St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee members gave the unanimous thumbs-up to a dredging project calling for the funneling of more than 150,000 cubic yards of sediment into the middle of Lindbergh Bay.

Unanimous thumbs up! I managed to get the package of the wicko project for the CZM and inside this is the first thing that makes me wounder:
the lanchaster lab results are all page 1 of 1, the COC has 15 grabs and only two and one half are on the results.
Jim, I have the PDF and would be happy to sent it to you by mail if you could copy it on this page!
I am appauled that the CZM could have Okayed such a thing. The evidence that the lanchaster labatory results are “arranged” is evedent. So does this mean that the CZM was aware of this? Does it mean that they didn’t do their job? Does it mean that the results were soo dramatic that they were meaningly “fixed”? Does this mean that the Saint Thomas CZM and Governement are knowilgly going to put their population at risk? Jim I think that our planet needs your help to put on notice what I would qualify as bad news.
Jacqueline

please save my beach i have grown up here my hole life and i love it the way it is. the water is beautiful and clear. please Governor Deyongh put it someplace else for us VI people to enjoy our beaches and fish.

Hello Jim,
After a few months of silence on the Lindbergh Bay issue, I have followed through the Daily News the ups and downs of the affair. I am pleased to see that the governor John deJongh said that there is not going to be dumping in Lindbergh bay for one year. It would be nice that there be no dumping point in Lindbergh bay or in any part of the ocean as far as that goes. What was made evident was:
There is little or no respect of natures valuable gifts when money comes at stake! This in the USVI and the rest of the world.
Political corruption is extremely strong and when people think that they are free because they are allowed to vote and express themselves, I do doubt that this right is really respected by the authorities in place…The example of the CZM and of the Senate of Saint Thomas is strong to highlight this statement. I am puzzled by Senator Shawn-Michael Malone’s attitude in this affair, because I thought that he was opposed to the dumping in Lindbergh bay and when I read the Daily News of Thursday, it says:
“Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone, who is the chairman of the Senate Planning and Environmental Protection Committee, said he was pleased with the governor’s decision. Malone voted to approve the CZM permit when it came before his committee but said he always had reservations about the plan to dump in Lindbergh Bay. “
Looks like a “volte face”, which is understandable, are there not going to be governor elections in the near future in Saint Thomas?…

Ed Thomas, lied consistently to the population of Saint Thomas and still is director of WICO et all…
I have never found any where the official results of the Lancaster Laboratory, so I do not know to what extent the harbor spoils are not highly poisonous…It would be fair to every soldier of the coalition to save Lindbergh Bay to have a reply on this specific point.
I am extremely impressed by the Daily News who has fought this battle hand in hand with the population of Saint Thomas. I am extremely impressed with the Coalition to save Lindbergh Bay, with their efforts and consistent backbone despite the sever blows that they had to handle with the CZM and the Senate and the continuing fight with the Army Corps of Engineers ! I have no idea who is behind the “save Lindbergh bay coalition” who financed the attorneys etc, but whoever it may be,
I would like to tell this person that he or she is a fabulous person , a wonderful example for the children of tomorrow, because thanks to him or her, the children of tomorrow will have a land to live on.
I thank and admire each and every citizen of Saint Thomas who fought for this cause, despite the fact of taking open risks with local power…
Thank you Jim for having opened this page so that complete strangers like myself can express themselves on matters that are of world importance. You also are an example for the children of tomorrow.
I thank mother earth that sent a leatherback turtle to lay her eggs in Lindbergh bay.
I am not sure the war is won but a first victory is very sweet and well deserves being highlighted.
Jacqueline

What an exciting moment that happened this week! Congratulations, Jacqueline, for your commitment to alert the world to this moment in the USVI that has now been averted. I have enjoyed my various contacts with Gov. deJongh. He made the correct decision this week to save Lindbergh Bay.

Well, good has prevailed regarding this issue. Today, we don’t have to worry about saving Lindbergh Bay. Gov. deJongh has taken care of that for all of us. Here’s to Gov. deJongh and his administration. I look forward to you checking in again soon.

Yes Jim, I totally agree with you. I realize the effort it has taken the governor John deJongh to make such a decision. I did not know that you had discussions with Mr deJongh , probably because they were not official. So , Jim, then to you again : CONGRATULATIONS! Pop champagne corks Like says Mrs Higgins
“”I’m so proud of the governor. I’m really thrilled,” she said.
“As soon as we see the permit application removed from CZM we can rest easy; as soon as we see the Army Corps of Engineers deny the permit, we can rest easy. Then champagne corks will pop,” Higgins said.

One of the issues we are still exploring with Gov. deJongh is the removal of the Six-Pack law that hampers the Charter Yacht Industry. We may finally have a Governor who has to courage to remove it for the books. This law is having a terrible impact on the revenue to the USVI and the sailing community that I am a member of. We are not uncorking the Champagne until the Army Corps of Engineers deny the permit. Then there will be several bottles consumed because thirst is a dangerous thing.

Jim, I really enjoy your sense of humor as to “Then there will be several bottles consumed because thirst is a dangerous thing.” even if I come from the country where champagne originates from. I do not understand your : “removal of the Six-Pack law that hampers the Charter Yacht Industry. ” Could you explain?

Hi Jacqueline, click on this link to my article last year on this specific issue. It will explain what the Six Pack Law issue is about. http://tinyurl.com/yj9e4z7

Thank you Jim, I went through the articles, and, I wonder if anyone has any Common sense? The Yacht’s carry the people who have money to spend…Yes you are right, this is a good fight to pursue, now that the waters of Saint Thomas will stay clean. This is an encouragement for visitors and tourism in the USVI. Now that Mr deJongh is warmed up, it should be an excellent time to hit on top of that nail also.Keep going Jim, your fights are worthy ones!

Hi Jacqueline, thank you for taking the time to review this issue that causes BIG revenue to go to the British Virgin Islands instead of staying in the USVI. The challenge that Gov. deJongh has is the pile of issues on his desk that have much more media impact than the six-pack law – and some of them correctly so. The issue of health care is one of the most pressing. We would just like to get this one at least in the top five of that list. We will keep at it. I will be doing the internet reporting for the Charter Yacht Boat Shows from November 6 – 11 on this site so you may want to check back in from time to time and see how we are doing. Enjoy every moment of your weekend. That is all we have is “moments” and each one of them are precious. Until next time…fair winds!