MIAMI, March 16 (UPI) -- The National Park Service is trying to recoup $1 million it is spending on eliminating a man-made island just off the coast of Miami-Dade County, Fla.
The 32-foot by 42-foot island in a remote area south of Miami was discovered a year ago. It was built by piling rocks in Biscayne Bay National Park, The Miami Herald reported Tuesday.
County officials said the island, which now has an eleaborate hideaway, is connected to the mainland by a boardwalk.
They said it was built by Ching Hai, a Vietnamese-born woman who founded the Suma Ching Hai International Association.
The Suma Ching Hai International Association of Taiwan owns a string of meditation centers and vegetarian restaurants.
It claims as many as 2 million members in 50 countries.
The park service said the island will be removed, but it will cost $1 million and they have not been able to reach Ching Hai, also known as Celestia De Lamour, to discuss it.
