Buck Island Reef National Monument: Draft master plan

Beyer, Arthur

Includes Buck Island location, resources, land classification, and the plan for preservation and visitor use. Buck Island Reef National Monument, undistinguished in that portion above water, has a singular feature whith sets it apart--a fine coral reef surrounding much of the island. Buck Island lies a mile and a half off the northeast coast of St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The National Monument, which has been in the National Park System since l961, has grown so rapidly in visitor interest that it is now one of the major attractions of visitors to this part of the Caribbean. A sizable fleet of private tour boats operating from Christiansted take people on day visits to the island. Using snorkeling gear, visitors swim over the marine gardens and view the varied and beautiful aquatic life. Visitors also use the fine sand beach and sometimes walk the island's trails. The principal threat to the Monument's resources arises from the number of boats now engaged in bringing visitors to the island and entering the rather constricted lagoon within the coral reef. This master plan proposes measures for controlling use, the main feature being to install a floating transfer dock outside the reef area from which visitors will be taken to the marine gardens by a small number of concessioner or government owned boats. The plan also presents other measures for protecting the resources.