9 Aug 2010

American Samoa Congregational Christian Church facing more opposition to clearing rainforest

6:37 am on 9 August 2010

The American Samoa Congregational Christian Church is facing further opposition to its proposal to clear rainforest for development.

The American Samoa Environment Protection Agency is recommending that the Project Notification Review System Board deny the church's application for a land use permit.

The church wants to clear more than 2 hectares of a property that it purchased for a health, mission centre and residential buildings.

The agency cited that the area is a sensitive groundwater recharge area, which must be preserved to protect the quality of groundwater.

The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources has already submitted reports to the Board objecting to the church's proposed plan because they say it threatens the native trees and bird species in the area.