A lawsuit has been filed in the Supreme Court of Palau to stop the construction of a septic tank inside the Long Island Park, Koror State’s most popular park.
The construction of the septic tank was approved for the soon-to-be Palau Vacation Hotel under construction in Malakal.
According to reports, the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB), the Koror State government, and the Koror State Public Lands Authority and Planning Commission reportedly granted permits that allows the hotel to construct the septic tank at the entrance of the park.
Many citizens have expressed disappointment over the decision citing that the construction violates Koror State law, which established Long Island as a public park and conservation area as well as pose health hazards to the park’s visitors.
The construction also reportedly violates EQPB regulation that bans septic tanks within 50 feet of water.
These concerns are also listed in a petition expected to be submitted to the national government, Koror State government, the hotel and other government entities next week.
The lawsuit filed by more than a dozen Koror State citizens named the Koror State government, KSPLA, Koror State Planning Commission, EQPB, Palau Vacation Hotel, PPUC and the National Bureau of Public Works as defendants.
OTV attempted to interview EQPB regarding this issue, but was asked to request for the interview at a later date pending EQPB’s Board of Directors meeting.
