Embedded Files
August 22 2026 community meeting summary:
Attendees: ~12 people in person + 4 online
Territorial Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (TCORP): Several friends provided input on the Outdoor Recreation Plan sessions. The plan is primarily concerned with DPNR TPPA & DSPR properties, which does not include Magens Bay, but some of the recommendations are generally applicable. Fairchild Park is explicitly in scope for the plan. The survey is still open for feedback: https://www.usvioutdoors.com/
MBA budget hearing at the Legislature
A couple of Friends attended and took detailed notes which you are encouraged to review. Past info is also archived at https://www.friendsmagens.org/mba/mba-finances. Some items especially relevant to Friends follow:
MBA shared a 2027 objective to "develop and implement swimming and boating programs for youth within the community to promote water safety, recreation, and environmental awareness". This is something Friends has talked about before and would definitely like to assist with.
There was a question as to whether this was something MBA would be monetizing. We don’t know for sure, but doubt this would be a real money-maker.
Some challenges were raised, especially with the boating component, while others noted individuals and groups who have done this before and could be potential partners.
We will follow up with MBA.
Two other items that came up at the MBA budget hearing were suggestions from senators in response to the problem raised of the disposal of household trash at Magens and other potential pollution and vandalism. These were (1) a suggestion to lock the gates overnight and (2) a suggestion to limit anchoring in the Bay to no more than 24 hours. Discussion of these took up most of our meeting.
Re locking the gate overnight: concerns were raised about blocking access for emergency services, fishermen/boaters who use the beach early in the morning, the significant number of morning and evening exercises and limited parking outside the entrance, and handicap access.
Counter-suggestions were offered, including installing more cameras and paying for overnight security guards.
We discussed whether the dumping of household trash is actually a significant problem, or whether it is a nuisance that was blown out of proportion because the Magens report was largely positive, and trash was one of the only problems mentioned for senators to respond to. Similarly, we raised the question of whether this is a Magens problem or a VIWMA problem (i.e., does this indicate that the nearby Mandahl convenience center needs longer hours, or perhaps people are disposing waste that is not supposed to be disposed there?)
Re 24-hour anchoring limit: Someone hypothesized (as did one of the senators) that much of the trash comes from overnight boats, rather than people driving in through the gates. This was likely part of the motivation for the suggestion to limit boaters to 24 hours.
We noted that boaters are supposed to pay a fee at the gate that covers the cost of disposing trash, but this is largely done on the honor system.
Perhaps a larger advantage of a time limit on anchoring is that it would likely prevent boaters from dumping sewage in the Bay (rather than going 3nm away from land). A time limit would be easier to monitor, however, as with other regulations, it would still require enforcement, and DPNR has limited resources.
One person asked why anchoring instead of mooring, pointing out that anchors cause significant damage to the seabed.
This led to a brief discussion of a past proposal to expand the marine economy with moorings at Magens, and the observation that despite many other recent developments (e.g., Vessup, Water Island, etc, etc) perhaps the conversation has shifted (at least for the moment?) from attracting more boat traffic to Magens to limiting anchoring at Magens.
The topic broadened to trash at Magens in general, with people noting that the heavily-populated chair area is where they see most of the litter on the beach.
Someone pointed out that the chair concessionaire employees are responsible for picking up the trash in their area, and that we should be raising this issue to them when we see it. Someone else suggested that the drink runners regularly collect empty drinks while serving. Another suggestion was to have more trash bins in that area.
Someone noted that litter from this area blows outside this area. This led to the suggestion that the concessionaires should also be picking up trash nearby their area (including in the ocean), as well as the observation that the cups and other food-service items are too light-weight for our wind. This led to a discussion of alternative materials, such as a heavier-weight souvenir cup (give a deposit and return the cup, or forfeit the deposit to keep), as well as ways to reduce the materials (promote the water-bottle filling station, don’t give out straws unless people ask, etc).
As an aside on the topic of the chair area, someone raised the issue of the number and density of chairs and the length of the beach that they cover. It was acknowledged that the concessionaire seems to have addressed the issue of keeping a path clear near the waterline for beach-walkers.
Other topics covered
The left side of the beach: Having noted that most visitors stay on the right side of the beach, the desire was expressed to keep as much of the left side as undeveloped as possible.
This led to people voicing concerns about the proposed addition of food trucks near the left-end bath house and the increase of taxis coming over the bridge (and concern that there could be even more traffic after the bridge undergoes structural repairs).
Re taxis, someone noted that taxis are circling around the beach in the evening looking for passengers. Also that there is still room for improvement regarding drivers having fares out ahead of time; MBA has spoken to the taxi/tour operators about this.
Also related to the left-end of the beach, there are very noisy toy racing boats in the evenings (inside the swim buoys). This even came up at the Senate hearing. They have been explicitly told to stop by MBA, but they only stop momentarily and then start up again. DPNR has also been involved.
This led to a lengthy discussion of how to actually enforce rules. The well-known problem of DPNR’s lack of enforcement resources was raised (both at our meeting and at the Senate hearing). MBA has enforcement officers, who we see enforce parking and traffic management and who lifeguards can contact to help enforce beach rules. But what can they do about someone who disregards their orders? [The VI Code suggests not much.] Someone introduced the idea of a deputized park ranger who could issue fines or maybe even confiscate items. Someone proposed that Magens could pay for a dedicated DPNR person (either full-time, or just for 3-day weekends, peak season, busy ship days, or similar). There was also a question as to whether the cruise ships might provide someone.
There was a suggestion to get a senator to sponsor legislation to expand the MBA board to better represent the local public by including someone from Friends.
It was pointed out that the MBA board should already be maintaining the park for the local public. However, the membership skews political and tourism-oriented.
It was then suggested that maybe there are other groups (non-profits) that should be represented on the board (e.g., Fisherman’s Association?)
Someone noted that it seemed from some of the comments at the hearing that many senators (STX senators?) are not very familiar with Magens and that they should be invited to come to Magens and see what really happens, and that they see the arboretum as well as the beach.
For that matter, there are probably MBA employees (and board members?) who haven’t been in the arboretum. Some of the lifeguards are knowledgeable about local plants, etc and share their information with visitors, but they do not get explicit training about the Magens ecosystem.
Friends can help highlight the wildlife at Magens.
Next month a group from UVI will be hosting a one-time session for ecotourism professionals in the territory. They will invite MBA to attend.
Also need to share information about local regulations with the cruise ship industry, hotels, etc.
Related to inviting senators to Magens, there was a proposal to invite candidates to speak with us. This might either be an informal chat and walk, or they could each have a set amount of time (5 minutes to present, 5 minutes for questions).
It was noted that if we invite any candidates, we need to invite all candidates, and that to be most effective, we should be prepared with our positions and questions.
A concern was raised that Friends does not have enough attendees to make it worth their while. Perhaps this could be done by/in collaboration with another group.
Question to all Friends: Is this (or similar) something we should pursue before the general election?
Someone asked whether there were any further updates on the glamping at Magens proposal. As far as we know, this has not gone any further. Anyone can bring proposals to the MBA board meetings, and it is not clear how serious this proposal was, as it didn’t seem particularly tailored to Magens.
Closing updates from Friends
Bylaws: We have drafted Friends bylaws which are available for review.
Events: We held a well-attended intro to birding event immediately before this meeting. (Thank you Ella!) We’d like to have semi-regular wildlife events. Are there other topics / activities / guests you’d like? Send your suggestions.
We may also revive periodic evening Friends trash pickup walks. Let us know if you would be interested in spending half an hour or so talking with other Friends while getting some exercise and helping to clean the beach.
Board membership: We want to add more people to the Friends board - please send self-nominations or suggestions for Friends board members to board@friendsmagens.org.
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