KOROR (Palau Horizon) — A $25,000 civil penalty was imposed against a firm constructing a garment factory in Airai following a settlement with the Office of Special Prosecutor.
Under the settlement agreement approved by Associate Justice Larry Miller, Pam Pacific, Inc. paid $25,000 for violating environmental laws and regulations, according to a statement from Special Prosecutor Everett Walton.
The firm also agreed that the Environmental Quality Protection Board earthmoving permit issued to Pam Pacific be declared null and void.
The Office of Special Prosecutor in 2000 sued EQPB for granting a permit to Pam Pacific.
The special prosecutor sought preliminary and permanent injunctions to bar the firm’s construction activity.
The firm began constructing the project before it had a valid permit.
By the time the suit was filed, the project had been substantially completed.
The special prosecutor argued that EQPB improperly issued the permit by incorrectly finding that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment.
