be committed to further marina and other shoreline develop-

ment. Because of its predominantly shallow depth and rela-

tively small water volume, the Lagoon is unsuited for sewage

outfall or navigation. If development and pollution pressures

continue to increasethe natural cleansing abilities of the

system will be overloaded and the Lagoon will succumb and

eutrophy to a much less desirable state.

 Several recommendations are here offered to serve as

a basis for action in Benner Bay and the Lagoon as well as

to indicate some of the problems which we feel require atten-

tion. These recommendations are built around the following

assumptions:

 1. The proposed airport will not be built.

 2. The Mangrove Lagoon is a valuable resource
 and should be so treated.

 3. Banner Bay has been committed to use as a
 commercial marina area.

 4. Planning for the beast use of the territory's
 resources requires the maintenance of a diver-
 sity of ecosystems, particularly those which
 are unique because of their rarity or because
 they are representative segments of local resources.

 The recommendations build the framework for planning

and establishing a Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Preserve

which, besides its aesthetic worth, will continue to be

of value as a recreation site for fishing, sightseeing

and swimming; an educational resource for use as a living

laboratory; a research asset which can play a significant


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