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LONG BAY, BEEF ISLAND BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN
WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY FOR BEACH USE PERMISSION
BEACH POLICY
Beaches are areas of traditional, cultural, social, economic and ecological importance to The Virgin Islands. The public has the right to access all beaches. In recognition of their significance, beaches must be managed to ensure their sustainability for generations to come. As such, the principal aim of The Virgin Islands Beach Policy 2020 is to balance access to and rational use of beaches while ensuring their ecological integrity.
The Policy aims to balance the interests of all persons who vie to use the same physical space, while maintaining the ecological integrity of the beach. Business and commercial ventures may either complement or compete with the rights of individual beachgoers who want to recreate or undertake different types of activities. At the same time, agencies responsible for the management of beaches must ensure that the natural ecosystem functions are conserved.
The Beach Policy establishes a comprehensive framework for beach management in the Territory, including the development of beach management plans. The Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan is the first such plan produced under the Beach Policy. Other beach management plans are to follow. The Policy also sets out the processes for applying for permission for commercial use of beaches and some categories of non-commercial use.
LONG BAY, BEEF ISLAND BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN
Long Bay, Beef Island is the first beach in the Territory for which a comprehensive beach management plan has been developed under the auspices of The Virgin Islands Beach Policy 2020. The Plan seeks to promote more sustainable recreational and economic use of the beach while ensuring environmental protection. In particular, the vision of the Plan is “a beach we can all be proud of where protection of the natural environment is prioritized and where local recreational, spiritual, cultural, economic and tourist needs are carefully balanced.”
The planning process was led by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and involved inter-agency consultation and public consultation, including:
- A public survey focused on identifying the desired vision for the beach and current levels of satisfaction/dissatisfaction and desires in relation to specific beach features
- In-person and virtual public meetings on the Conceptual Plan in March 2022
- In-person and virtual public meetings on the Draft Detailed Plan in October 2022
The Plan was finalized in December 2022, taking into consideration comments received during the public consultations and before the close of the public comment period on November 15, 2022.
Download the Final Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan
View presentation of the Draft Detailed Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan
Download the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan Public Survey Results
Get involved in Operation Restoration to support implementation of the Plan!
“Operation Restoration” is a critical part of the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan. Over time, at least 100 seagrape trees will be replanted under Operation Restoration. Operation Restoration also includes replanting the beach dune with native trees and is important to protect the beach from erosion, provide shade, protect turtle nesting habitat, promote bird habitat, and increase biodiversity and overall beach resilience.
Learn more about Operation Restoration, including the Seagrape Tree Replanting Initiative and how you can get involved here!
WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY FOR BEACH USE PERMISSION
Non-Commercial Use of Beaches
Persons using the beach for non-commercial purposes must apply to the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change (the Ministry) for permission if one or more of the following criteria are met:
- Use by an organization or large group
- Use of loud speakers (any device that amplifies music or other sound)
- Use of a barbeque grill, fire pit, bonfire or open flame
- Overnight use by groups
The application process and requirements are described in the Note to Applicants. All applicants must complete and submit the application form below.
Application for Non-Commercial Use of Beaches
Short-term Commercial Use of Beaches
Persons interested in short-term commercial use of beaches must apply for written permission from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change to use the beach. Short-term Commercial Use is event-driven and is typically for up to two (2) days.
The following should apply for approval for Short-term Commercial Use of beaches:
- Organizers/hosts of commercial entertainment events, other events for profit or promotional events at any beach; and
- Organizers/hosts of events that involve the sale of goods and/or services at beaches.
The application process and requirements are described in the Note to Applicants. All applicants must complete and submit the application form below.
Application for Short-term Commercial Use of Beaches
Long-term Commercial Use of Beaches
Persons interested in long-term commercial use of beaches must apply for written permission from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change to use the beach. Long-term Commercial Use is not event-driven and is beyond the “Temporary Commercial Use” period which is typically two days.
The application process and requirements are described in the Note to Applicants. All applicants must complete and submit the application form below.
Application for Long-term Commercial Use of Beaches