USVI Office of Disaster Recovery

June 12, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Availability for an Environmental Assessment for the Demolition-Redesign-Reconstruction of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital

Notification is hereby given to the public of the intent of the Department of Homeland Security-Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS-FEMA) to provide Federal financial assistance to the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), as Recipient, and the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital (JFL), as Subrecipient, for demolition and reconstruction activities to restore access to comprehensive health care and medical services at JFL. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and FEMA Instruction 108-1-1, an Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to assess the potential impacts of the proposed actions on the physical, biological, cultural, and human environments. DHS-FEMA’s requirement of addressing floodplain management and wetlands protection in accordance with 44 CFR Part 9 is incorporated within the EA.

The purpose of the action described in the EA is to provide increased capacity, capability, and functionality in a hospital and medical center that meets industry codes and standards, and includes associated infrastructure improvements, and to provide improved comprehensive health care and medical services to the St. Croix community. The proposed action is needed because the temporary medical facility, JFL North, does not have the structural or carrying capacity to provide comprehensive medical services long-term or to respond to a large-scale emergency. The objective of the hospital improvements focuses on creating infrastructure that is safe, reliable, accessible, and more resilient to improve community health outcomes. FEMA will evaluate the proposed action to ensure that it meets all applicable federal, state, and local requirements for the proposed activity.

In accordance with NEPA and, to the extent they are consistent with NEPA, DHS Directive 023-01, Rev. 01; DHS Instruction 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01; FEMA Directive 108-1; and FEMA Instruction 108-1-1, the EA identifies the potential adverse and beneficial effects associated with the demolition and reconstruction of a medical facility.

The EA is available for public comment, and comments can be sent via email to FEMA-4340-[email protected] or via mail to: FEMA 4335-4340 RO, Attn: Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation, 4052 La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, VI 00820.

The EA is available on the following websites:

A hard copy of the EA will be available at the following locations:

  • Virgin Islands Cardiac Center JFL Hospital
    • 4007 Estate Diamond Ruby, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
  • Florence A. Williams Public Library
    • 1122 King Street, Christiansted, VI 00820

The comment period will end 30 days after the date of publication on both the FEMA and the Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery websites listed above. Written comments on the EA can be mailed or e-mailed to the contact below. If no substantive comments are received, the EA will become final, and FEMA will sign a Finding of No Significant Impact. Substantive comments will be addressed as appropriate in any final documents. Contact: FEMA 4335-4340 JFO, Attn: Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation, 4052 La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, VI 00820; or via email at [email protected].