The Crown Lands Management Bill has received its second and third readings in the House of Assembly.

The Bill was passed following extensive consultation with residents from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke which included seven public meetings led by the Premier, and Minister of Finance, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, along with officers from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change. There were two focus groups engaged in the consultations and written submissions were received from the public.

The House of Assembly met on June 17 and entered the committee stage following debates by legislators on the Bill that speaks to the rights of Virgin Islanders with respect to their access to land, as well as ensuring that the processes are transparent and in the best interest of the community.

Honourable Dr. Wheatley said, “The Wickham’s Cay lands are managed via the Wickham’s Cay Development Authority, which has its own legislation and to date that remains. In the case of Anegada, Salt Island and North Sound, Virgin Gorda, standing committees will be established. We are confident many of the concerns expressed have been addressed during the committee stage of the bill.”

The Premier advises those directly impacted by the Bill to await official responses from the Government's communication channels moving forward.

The Standing Committees will work collaboratively with the Ministry via the Crown Lands Management Board to develop clear criteria for what constitutes an “ancestral land” claim and to specify the types of documentation required for such claims  

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley, said the Ministry stands ready and is eager to engage the Crown Lands Management Board on this critical issue of land ownership recognised in The Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

The Ministry of Environment Natural Resources and Climate Change will hold further public meetings to educate the community about the contents of the Act after it has been assented to by the Governor.  

The Crown Lands Management Bill governs the administration, management, development and transparent disposals of all Crown Lands within the Territory.