Panama takes legal action to protect Ramsar Site affected by construction of illegal path

An environmental impact assessment was completed for Ramsar Site San San Pond Sack in Golfo de Montijo, Panama to assess the impact of the construction of an elevated earth path that interrupted the natural flow of water to the wetland. The study, which included monitoring of chemical, physical and biological parameters, concluded that the path was responsible for the deteriorating conditions of the wetland and that it should be removed to reverse the negative impacts caused to the ecosystem. The General Administrator of the Panama National Environmental Authority (Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente - ANAM) through resolution No. AG 0334 and based on Law No. 41 of July 1, 1998 (General Law of the Environment), ordered the person responsible for the construction of the path to remove it immediately and to take the necessary actions to remediate the damage done.