The permits were issued with specific conditions in conformance with required statutes and regulations of the Republic of Palau.The permits and guiding conditions are issued to assist the developers/contractors in reducing impact to the surrounding environment while undertaking desired development in Palau.
The Board approved twopermits for residential/toilet facility purposes for: William Tabelual in Ngerbeched, Koror State and Grace Salvador/Donald R. Immanuel in Ngriil, Ngarchelong, with the latter to provide modified grading plan.Hernando Iyar’s permit request for earthmoving permit/waste-water management and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for holding tank construction within an inundated area in Iyebukel, Koror State was approved by the Board.However, the permit is conditioned to require adequate pumping and maintenance of the holding tank to prevent overflow to the nearby mangrove.
For other permits, the Board approved two permit requests from Bureau of Public Works-CIP, VMJ Construction & Lucky Ocean Ltd. to initiate the “Light Up Palau Project (Solar Street Light)” at certain areas in Koror and Airai States.The areas where the solar street lights will be constructed in Koror are:Long Island (4 sets), Cultural Center (8 sets) and Police Station (5 sets).The Board deferred action on other areas in Koror until further assessment and evaluation.The permitted areas for Airai State are: Ikoranges Village along the main road (11 sets) and Airport Road (3 sets).The Board also approved permit request of Morimats Kingzio and Bethania High School to construct a pig pen that will utilize the dry litter (water-less) piggery method and a green house project at Bethania High School in Ngaraard State.Laurentino Ulechong & LU Rent & Lease’spermit request to construct a commercial/parking building in Meketii, Koror State was deferred until all pending issues are addressed such as submittal of complete project description/purpose of the commercial building and parking area, estimate volume of run-off and wastewater and its impacts to the surrounding area, particularly the overflow sewer manhole in-front of the project site.The Board also discussed HP Frontline Metal’s requests to amend their Solid Waste Permit in Ngerusar, Airai State and extend their permit beyond the March 31, 2010 completion date.While the Board approved amendment of the permit to allow cutting and processing of the scrap metals that the company had earlier collected and are now stockpiled at the Anguar dock, it denied the request to extend the permit beyond its completion date.This is also because Airai State Government has notified the company to vacate the area in Ngerusar, Airai State.The company’s intention to relocate their Solid Waste Facility to M-Dock Landfill will be evaluated by the Board upon submittal of application and supportive documents.
For Koror State Government’s permit request to amend its Iyebukel Reclamation Project, the Board considered Koror State Government’s adherence to EQPB’s Revised Final Order No. 10-05 (Cease and Desist Order and to Establish Joint Escrow Account) and its timely submittal of its proposed action plan.Based on this collaborative effort by both agencies, the EQPB and Koror State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on February 18, 2010 wherein a Joint Escrow Account is created and Koror State will deposit $3,375, equivalent to 2.5% of the cost of the dredge and fill permitted work activities.This money guarantees financial resource availability should it become needed to address environmental damages caused during dredging operation. The Executive Officer pointed out that on December 2, 2009 the Board of EQPB issued a Cease/ Desist and Civil Penalty Order to Koror State Government for dredging beyond the permitted area. The Board order the Koror State to stop work at the site, correct all environmental deficiencies, set up an Escrow Account and pay $20,000 civil penalty.The Koror State Government appeared before the Board of EQPB on December 17, 2009 and requested reconsideration of the imposition of the fine.On January 21, 2010, the Board of the EQPB issued its final revised order for Koror State to comply with all permit conditions and require establishment of the joint escrow account.
This money is secured in an escrow account, governed by a mutually executed agreement and will be released back to Koror State Government with all its interest once the dredging and fill project is completed and EQPB has inspected the site and determined that all permit conditions have been met and that all mitigation measures are in place.Koror State will have to accomplish the same prior to commencement of other permitted work activities.
Also during the Board meeting, a public hearing was held for Cease and Desist Order No. 10-22, Bureau of Aviation, Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Bureau of Public Works, and Surangel & Sons. Co. (Respondents) regarding earthmoving/permit condition violations of the Airport Apron Project in Ngerusar, Airai State.This hearing was well-attended by respondents and high officials of the government. The final order of the Board will be considered in their future meeting.
The Board conducts such open public hearings on all its open agenda items, during their regular board meetings, as an opportunity for the public to be heard or observe the processes of the Board’s proceedings, particularly those who violated the provisions of the Environmental Quality Protection Act or specific permit conditions.The public is encouraged to attend the open agenda of the meetings.The Boards meeting agenda is usually announced through the government’s radio station T8AA and 87.9FM prior to the scheduled meeting date.
