(Washington, DC, November 15, 2005) — A bill to study the feasibility of Castle Nugent Farms being designated as a unit of the National Park System passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously on Tuesday afternoon.  Introduced by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen H.R. 318 would determine whether the 1,350 acre property on St. Croix’s southeastern shore is suitable to become a part of the National Park System in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  A similar bill passed the House last year.

Managing that and other Resources bills on the floor on Tuesday, Delegate Christensen told the House that the Gasperi family property contains natural and cultural resources that should be preserved and interpreted for future generations.  “The owners are justifiably proud of their ranch,” said Christensen, “which contains more than four miles of pristine oceanfront with a large and healthy fringing coral reef.”  She continued her description by stating that “the interior of the property consists of Caribbean dry forest and pasture lands with cultural resources from both pre-Columbian and post-European settlement.”  It also includes a large Danish estate house dating to the 1730s that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Delegate Christensen noted that both the National Park Service and the property owners are enthusiastic about the possibility of it becoming a National Park.  “The park study will provide the blueprint by which we can preserve and interpret this unique piece of island history and resources for the benefit of present and future generations,” she concluded.