Oct. 27, 2005 – The Department of Planning and Natural Resources invites the public to participate in the Ninth Annual Virgin Islands Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference to be held on Nov. 28-30, at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas. This year's conference theme is "Prevention Pollution in the Caribbean: Reshaping Our Communities for the Future." This year's sponsors are: Department of Planning and Natural Resources, University of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Virgin Islands Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Committee, according to Commissioner Dean C. Plaskett of DPNR.

The following topics will be addressed at the conference:
· Watershed Management (TMDLs, Characterization, Planning / Protection, Permitting, etc.)
· Coastal Management (Marinas, Recreational Boating, Marine Parks / Protected Areas, Planning/ Protection, Permitting, etc.)
· Government Initiatives (Model Ordinances, Land Preservation Mechanisms, Riparian/ Watershed /Wetland Restoration, etc.)
· Low Impact Development / Best Management Practices (Sediment and Erosion Control, Storm-water Control, Alternative OSDS, Better Site Design, etc.)
· Land Use/Island Planning (Smart Growth, Development Impacts on the Environment, Innovative Municipal Wastewater Treatment, Critical Area Protection (guts, wetlands, etc.)
· NPS Education and Outreach (Youth Education, Adult Education and Outreach, Success Stories / Impact Evaluation, etc.)
The deadline for early conference registration is Monday, Nov. 14.
For more information or to register on line visit: http://www.usvircd.org/NPSconf.html
To register with the hotel directly, visit the hotel registration webpage at: http://usvircd.org/NPS/NPSconf2005Hotels.htm
For more information or to register, please call Vanessa Peter or Maren Branch at 773-1082.