Ferguson, Rob

Funding: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program.;

National Ocean Service (NOS)
Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS)

"This report is intended to summarize information from existing reports, mapping data, stakeholder meetings, and preliminary field observations that adds to our understanding of existing watershed conditions and potential pollution sources draining to the St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER). STEER is a 3.7 sq. mile collection of individual protected areas for significant salt pond, marine, and fisheries resources. It is currently being considered for designation as the second territorial marine protected area (STEER, 2011). As part of the initial management planning for STEER, NOAA commissioned a triad of studies including: 1) a watershed assessment; 2) sediment contaminant and supplemental biological and water quality monitoring; and 3) a marine use survey. The information presented here is intended to serve as a reference guide for baseline information on the STEER Watershed that can be used to inform the watershed planning process and supplement the 2013 STEER Watershed Management Plan"--Introduction.