http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Sep25/0,4670,VirginIslandsProtectedLand,00.html

They mean the tract of land immediately behind Maho Beach( including the beach) and the lands upward and to the left and right, not including the Maho Bay Camp. The referenced lands were party owned by a private interest who wanted to develop it into a resort, with a dock extending into Maho Bay. The lands were purchased by the park. The owner of the Ma ho Bay Camp has that property leased from the park until 2012 or thereabouts and the property will revert to the park at that time. It is unknown whether the park will keep the camp, or do something else with the land but it will not be offered for lease or purchase.

I'm betting on the continuation of an "as is" situation. Easiest and most agreeable.

Maybe not, as Stanley seems to be investing a lot of time and $$ in Concordia and really pushing the place. I have read quite a few trip reports lately where the folks were miserable with the mosquitos at Maho and were whisked off to Concordia by the Maho Management with no questions asked.
There are some rumors that The Park would like to have Maho to augment their facilities at Cinnamon Bay but the talk is just that--Rumor. It certainly would fit in with the purchase discussed above--I believe the land abuts the entire Maho Camp except for the Private Villas on the road up to the camp.

Actually the Maho Bay Campground "land" just went on the market (for sale) today - a little over 13 acres for $32,000,000 (thats 32 million 🙂 ) The land referred to on Fox was not part of the campground.

Pia

There's no connection between these lands and maho Bay Camps and the property it's situated on. it's an excellent thing that the NP will aquire this land.

The Maho Bay Camps situation is different. That land is an inholding within the VINP and is leased from the owners. The lease runs out in 2012 and Stanley fully expects that it will not be renewed. They've been getting it for a song and won't be able to pay what the owners will ask. Stanley purchased land for Concordia and is preparing for the shutting down of Maho by expanding Concordia.

Here's Maho's statement on the matter:

http://maho.org/InTheNews.cfm?id=178

We stayed at Maho the first couple of times that we went to STJ in the 80s. We've since stayed elsewhere on the island, but Maho holds a place in our hearts. We went back again when we learned that they would very likely lose the lease and probably will go one last time to say thanks.

Here's an article with a bit more info:

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17615096

One really exciting bit in the article is a mention that the Trust is having conversations with the owners of the Maho Bay Camps land. If that could be worked, it would be a wonderful thing. I don't think I could bear to watch huge concrete monstrosities being erected on the hillsides where the cottages now sit so unobtrusively.

Frank Barnako posted a photo to show the land that has been aquired. It's a really nice piece. I'm even happier now that I'm seeing just what has been saved from possible development.

Hey Lex,

Thanks for the information! Very informative!

Now lets all chip in 1 million each and get this done.

Ric