SAVING THE LAND

Another project seized in Amador

07-14-2009 | MARIJULIA PUJOL LLOYD

mpujolstar@laestrella.com.pa

Panama Star PANAMA. Another illegal landfill was detected at Amador (Causeway) after the Panama Maritime Authority determined that the company Las Brisas de Amador S. A. took over 2. 8 hectares of seabed without having the appropriate permits.

President Ricardo Martinelli ordered the seizure of the land in Isla Perico, after it was discovered that the company was doing unauthorized works and did not have any contracts with the State allowing it to carry out that kind of work.

The company will have until July 30 to pay $3 million in fines.

The National Environment Authority ANAM, also confirmed that although Las Brisas de Amador S.A. has an environmental impact study approved, it did not included the new landfill area.

Brisas de Amador project, which is property of Abraham Hasky, Samuel Israel, Saúl and Joseph Malca, is creating a complex of restaurants, shops and a marina with the purpose of exploiting the tourism potential of the area.

However, the project has been in trouble with the Maritime Authority and the ANAM since 2006, when the company was fined $3,000 for not complying with the environmental impact study.

On January 26, 2007 the then Maritime Authority general secretary, Carlos Gonzalez de La Lastra, told Brisas de Amador S.A. to stop the landfill works.

Other companies with concessions in Amador area have been breaking the law with regards to environmental impact studies and illegal landfills.

The Maritime Authority is currently inspecting other projects in the area. See page 3.