Number: 1991-13
WHEREAS, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) statutory mandates generally require EPA to administer and enforce federal environmental laws in all U. S. territories, as well as in the fifty states; and
WHEREAS, in many U. S. territories, such as the Virgin Islands, the people and the environment suffer from virtually unchecked pollution of air, water and land resources and, generally, territorial authorities have financial resources and personnel insufficient to adequately implement and enforce territorial and federal environmental laws; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. EPA ignores or is unresponsive to requests from citizens in U. S. territories, such as the Virgin Islands, for input into regulatory or permitting decisions, for public hearings, and for monitoring regarding specific territorial environmental issues;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 21-24, 1991, in Memphis, Tennessee, urges the U. S. EPA to exert greater oversight responsibility in protecting natural resources and public health in the U. S. Virgin Islands and other U. S. territories through full implementation and enforcement of federal environmental laws.