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Committee holds NOAA lease for telecommunications tower at Nazareth for further review
Summary
A proposed 20‑year lease allowing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to use a portion of an existing telecommunications tower in Nazareth, St. Thomas drew procedural approval to hold the measure for further review. The lease would charge NOAA $100 per month and requires NOAA to obtain necessary permits and zoning approvals.
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on April 15 voted to hold for further review a proposed lease that would allow the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to mount equipment on a telecommunications tower at Parcel R‑22, Tract 1, Estate Nazareth No. 1, Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas.
Sponsor and purpose: Senator Milton E. Potter, presenting the bill on behalf of the governor, described the agreement as a territorial benefit for weather and emergency broadcast communications. The lease authorizes NOAA to use a portion of an existing telecommunication tower “for transmission and reception of weather broadcast communications and emergency broadcast communications,” subject to NOAA obtaining any required permits and compatible zoning.
Key terms in testimony: Assistant Commissioner Vincent Richards of the Department of Property and Procurement said the proposed lease term is 20 years and the annual rent is $1,200 ($100 per month). The lease text cited in committee testimony makes the U.S. government “self‑insured” and places responsibility on NOAA for permits, licenses and any rezoning necessary to operate on the premises. Richards told senators the lease requires legislative approval under territorial law.
Questions and concerns: Senators asked whether the tower hosts multiple antennas and what kind of environmental or health impacts — if any — would be associated with NOAA equipment. Property and Procurement staff said the tower already supports communications infrastructure for emergency services and cell providers, and that the equipment NOAA would attach measures atmospheric data (wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure, temperature) useful for forecasts and emergency planning. The assistant commissioner deferred technical questions about radio frequencies and potential health effects to subject‑matter specialists.
Committee action: Senator Ray Fonseca moved to hold the bill in committee for further review; the motion was seconded by Senator Marvin Blyden and carried on a roll call recorded in the hearing. The committee clerk recorded the motion as “held in committee.”
Context: Witnesses said the tower’s equipment contributes to territory weather forecasting and emergency preparedness. The committee also noted the need to ensure required permits, zoning and interagency coordination (for example, VITEMA and planning authorities) before final approval.
Ending: Committee members requested further review of permits, zoning compatibility, any community health questions and coordination with VITEMA and other agencies before the measure is returned to the committee for a final recommendation.
