OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2000

Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/501-4633

INTERIOR SECRETARY TO DISCUSS PROTECTIONS FOR CORAL REEFS
IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
Economic proposals to be outlined at meeting with Governor Turnbull

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will be meeting on Monday with Virgin Islands Governor Charles Turnbull to discuss options for protecting sensitive coral reef resources. They will also discuss various economic proposals to benefit the Virgin Islands. The meeting will take place in the Government House on St. Thomas. Following his meeting, he will be available to meet with media. The Governor and the Secretary will be joined by U.S. Congressional Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen.

Then, on Tuesday, September 12, Secretary Babbitt will fly to St. Croix and tour coral reef areas around Buck Island Reef National Monument. Prior to his boat tour of submerged lands, he will be available to speak with media on the Wharf in Christiansted Harbor. Photographers may accompany the Secretary for the first part of the boat tour.

"We have been considering the compelling need to protect outstanding coral reef resources and critical fish spawning areas for more than two years now," Babbitt said. "The people of the Virgin Islands have seen dramatic declines in their fisheries and deserve to have a sustainable resource for their future. At the same time, healthy coral reefs help to protect the Virgin Islands from devastating impacts of hurricanes and are essential to a thriving tourist economy. It's time to put our best ideas out on the table. Greater protection for coral reefs is a winner for the people of the Virgin Islands and a winner for the ocean and the marine life that depends upon its health." The Department will be holding public meetings on options for coral reef protection on September18 in St. Croix, Sept.19 in St. Thomas and Sept. 20 in St. John.

Monday, September 11 at 4:15 p.m.
WHO: Interior Secretary Babbitt, Governor Turnbull, Delegate Christian-Christensen.
WHERE: Government House, 21-22 Kongen's Gade, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
2^nd Floor Ballroom.

Tuesday, September 12 at 8:45 a.m.
WHO: Interior Secretary Babbitt, St. Croix National Parks Superintendent Joel Tutein
WHERE: The Wharf at Christiansted Harbor, Christiansted, St. Croix

Following the press availability, photographers may accompany the Secretary to submerged lands near Buck Island Reef National Monument and will return to Christiansted on a boat provided by the National Park Service.

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