Office of the Lieutenant Governor and DPNR Enter MOA for GIS Information
For Immediate Release No. 021-08
May 06, 2008
For More Information Contact:
Shawna K. Richards, Director of Communications
Ph: (340) 773-6459 ext. 3129
Fax: (340) 719-3801
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Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Department of Planning
and Natural Resources Enter MOA for GIS Information
Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis announces that a
Memorandum of Agreement to share critical information relating to development
planning and permitting in the Virgin Islands has been entered between the
Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The MOA will allow both the OLG and DPNR to transfer data
obtained through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping such as cadastral
and real property parcel records. Under the agreement, DPNR will use the
information to enhance their mandated planning and resource management
functions.
Lt. Governor Francis called the MOA another effort toward
the implementation of using vital GIS information through all facets of the
Government of the Virgin Islands. He said this agreement will assist in the capability
of the Government to manage and protect our natural resources.“GIS technology will undoubtedly help our territory
in the development of effective infrastructure planning and the Department of
Planning and Natural Resources is an integral part of that,” Lt. Governor
Francis said.
In a letter to Lt. Governor Francis, DPNR Commissioner
Robert S. Mathes hailed the agreement. “The MOA is a necessary first step
towards the tracking of development permitting in the territory, and ultimately
the assessment of cumulative development impacts on the coastal zone,” he
wrote.DPNR anticipates the use of GIS
information will facilitate the permit application review process and allow the
Department to apply a growth management mechanism to guide the future physical
development of the territory.
In the stipulated MOA, among the information OLG agrees to
provide to the DPNR are GIS real property parcel maps – which includes the parcel
address, current zoning, estate boundaries and territorial roads; hard copies
of maps for registered filled lands; and property tax roll information. The MOA
also calls for updates to any of the information to be made available to DPNR
on a semi-annual basis. In return, DPNR will provide data deemed usable in GIS
format to the OLG which includes any updates to real property parcel maps with
respect to subdivisions and zoning. Further, DPNR is authorized to use the
information for public outreach and educational purposes without providing the
actual data received.
The information provided by the OLG will remain the sole
property of that office, only to be used for work performed pursuant to the
MOA.
