By Christian Appleton
Harper, Maryland County – May 8, 2025 – During a significant visit to Maryland County on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel King Urey Yarkpawolo, issued a stark warning regarding the increasing environmental dangers posed by Lake Shepherd.
Speaking to journalists at the Harper Administration Building, Dr. Yarkpawolo revealed alarming findings from recent assessments indicating that Lake Shepherd faces a significant risk of overflowing into adjacent residential areas in the coming years. “Our findings reveal that Lake Shepherd is at risk of overflowing into populated areas, which could lead to the destruction of buildings and the displacement of residents,” he cautioned. He further emphasized that the ongoing erosion of coastal land by the Atlantic Ocean is exacerbating the environmental challenges confronting the region.
The EPA Director also voiced serious concerns about the environmental hazards associated with burial practices in close proximity to the lake. “Graves located near water sources pose serious environmental and health threats. Such practices must stop,” Dr. Yarkpawolo asserted.
Drawing attention to Executive Order 143, issued by President Joseph Boakai, which mandates national action against environmental degradation and enhanced protection of wetlands, Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed the imperative for collective responsibility. 1 “Collaboration with local communities and authorities is critical to enforce environmental policies and secure the safety of our people,” he stated.
He further connected the recent surge in violent storms across Southeastern Liberia to the escalating impacts of climate change. These extreme weather events, he explained, have resulted in tragic loss of life, widespread damage to vital infrastructure—including the Fish Town Sports Stadium in River Gee County—and significant displacement of communities.
“Illegal logging and forest degradation increase communities’ vulnerability to climate change impacts. We must change our behavior to adapt,” he urged.
During his regional tour, Dr. Yarkpawolo also highlighted illegal mining activities in Grand Kru County as a major contributor to water pollution. Additionally, he expressed apprehension over unregulated environmental practices undertaken by undocumented foreign nationals, particularly from Burkina Faso, in Grand Gedeh County.
The EPA Executive Director also made a noteworthy visit to William V. S. Tubman University (TU), where he engaged with faculty and students from the Environmental Science department. He underscored the vital role of education and research in addressing Liberia’s pressing environmental challenges.
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