generally agree that, such structures notwithstanding, con-

struction of the jetport would destroy the Lagoon. Physi-

cally, it would occupy about two-thirds of the area, leaving

only the central shallow turtle grass area and part of one

mangrove islet. Additionally, it is anticipated that run-

off and siltation and other forms of pollution, during con-

struction and after development of the airport complex and

its satellite commercial facilities, will rapidly obliterate

these remaining portions of the Lagoon.

 The Lagoon area now remains as the only extensive repre-

sentative of its kind in the U. S. Virgin Islands. Similar

areas on St. Croix have already been destroyed in the course

of industrial, tourist accommodating and housing developments.

While conservationists urge the protection of the St. Thomas

site, they are hard put to offer tangible evidence of its

value. It presently has no assessable economic value beyond

the price of the real estate. Its worth as a natural area

and recreation site and its potential for research and ar'aa-

culture have been described by conservationists and biologists

but have not been translated into terms most people can appre-

ciate, i.e. dollars and cents, or even been publicly acknowl-

edged by local agencies responsible for its disposition.

 The purpose of this study was to describe the Benner Bay-

Lagoon environment, primarily the water quality. Field work


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