Taboga Islanders Oppose Fuel Storage Tanks

August 20, 2010
By pa.di.

Taboga Island residents are thinking about taking their objection to the installation of fuel storage tanks on neighboring Melones and Taboguilla islands to the Supreme Court.

Municipal Council Resolution 3 of June 28 2007 establishes that Taboganos will reject any permission granted for the establishment of fuel storage infrastructure on district’s islands.  They fear oil spills could affect the area’s rich biodiversity.

Residents are working to form the Isla Taboga Foundation in order to have more legal clout against Melones Oil Terminal and Decal, the companies who have set up shop in the islands, La Prensa reports.

Taboga, known as the Island of Flowers, is an hour by ferry from Panama City, about 12 miles off the coast.  It is a drowsy 2.5-mile long island without any cars that has hosted explorers, pirates, saints, post-impressionist Paul Gauguin and U.S. military trainees over the years.

Taboga Island Christmas 1999 / PHOTO budtristano.com