Isla Contadora construction projects sanctioned for environmental violations

Panama's Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) has issued sanctions totaling $7,280 against various construction and earth-moving projects on Isla Contadora. Following field inspections, technical teams identified several environmental violations, including the absence of mandatory environmental permits and the improper management of debris and construction waste.

Authorities reported that unauthorized stockpiles of materials were found near the freshwater lake that supplies the local community. There is significant concern regarding the risk of sediment and waste being washed into natural drains, coastal areas, and the marine environment.

Marilyn García de Paredes, National Director of Environmental Verification at MiAmbiente, noted that the cumulative impact of simultaneous projects on a limited island territory is a major concern. The use of heavy machinery, dry forest clearing, and coastal intervention increases the risk of erosion and runoff, threatening the archipelago's marine-coastal ecosystem.