Freshwater has a price and Airai wants some of it!

Delegate Noah Secharraimul, Delegate Sabino Anastacio, Delegate Kerai Mariur, Delegate Jonathan Isechal, Delegate Mario S Gulibert, and Delegate Thomas Patris introduced House Bill No. 7-207-34S – to compensate Arai State for use of its natural fresh water resource – on May 28.The bill notes that the national government has, for many years, provided fresh water from Airai to residents within and outside of the state.Further, the national government has collected and kept for its use revenues generated from the provision of the fresh water.The bill also notes that under Article I, Section 2 of the Republic of Palau’s Constitution, “ Each state shall have exclusive ownership of all living and no-living resources from the land to twelve nautical miles seaward from the traditional baselines.”Further, it also notes that Article XII, Section of the Republic of Palau’s Constitution stipulates that states are entitled to revenues derived from the “exploration and exploitation” of its resources.The bill indicates that the national government has, for over twenty years, exploited Airai State’s freshwater resource; and has yet to compensate Airai State.Moreover, Airai State has not benefited from the national governments exploitation of the state’s water resource.The bill specifies that the national government had violated the Constitution; and thus, is obligated to provide compensation for Airai State.The bill, if passed into law, would require the national government to allow Arai State to collect and keep all water generated revenues collected from residents of the state and hence to receive one (1) percent of fresh water revenues collected from residents residing outside of the state’s boundaries but are “hooked” onto the national government’s water lines.Water, as indicated in the bill, belongs to the public trust of the people of the state; and as with many indicative property rights, Airai is entitled to proper and appropriate compensation.