BRIEFS. environment

Group critical of public hearing

Eric Batista/la prensa

upset: A plan to build a marina in the Bay of Saigón has prompted calls for action to protect the coral and mangroves that live there. 1138115

Environmental groups are accusing a developer that is planning to build a marina in the Bay of Saigón on Colón Island of pulling a fast one by scheduling a public hearing on the project during the midst of holiday celebrations.

The project, which will cost $24.3 million, is called Harbor of America, and includes the construction of 435 boat slips. The public hearing on the project will be Monday, and the developer has allowed only three days for filing written objections.

The Center for Environmental Impact is opposing the project because it threatens coral reefs and mangroves. It claims the developer acknowledges as much in its environmental impact assessment (EIA), which states, “There are a number of species such as corals and mangroves...that have a range of environmental protection.”

The project has already received approval from the Panama Maritime Authority. The public hearing is required as part of the process to approve the EIA.

The developer says the project will be environmentally friendly, and has already changed the design 20 times to lessen its impact.