- The government held the Third Balanced National Development committee on December 15th 2008, led by President Lee, and decided to start the Four major rivers restoration project.
- This project aims to respond to abnormal climate, fundamentally resolve water problems such as flood and drought, and to maximize use of river spaces through effective improvements.
- The local governments have actively raised voices to start the project. The implementation of the project will be led by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs in close cooperation with relevant local governments.
- The backgroungs for starting "The four majors river restoration project":
- Fundamental measures are necessary due to frequent damages from flood and drought led by global warming.
- While magnitude of damages from flood is increasing, there are insufficient investments for prevention activities, thus spending excessive amount of money for post restoration
* Investment in flood control(National & regional river improvement) has been stalled for 8 years since 2001
0.3trill. (‘98) → 0.7trill.(’99) → 1trill.(‘01) → 1.1trill.(’08)
* The average cost for restoration(4.2trill) for the past 5 years was 4 times larger than investment in prevention(1.1trill), whereas in Japan it is the opposite.
- It is expected that Korea will be faced with 800 million㎥ of water shortage by 2011. However, due to opposition to construction of multipurpose dam, water supply is restricted whenever drought occurs
* Restriction on water supply during drought in 2001(86 cities & counties, 300,000 residents), Lack of water for agricultural use(50 cities & provinces)
* Water supply control as for 2008 (33 cities & provinces, 80,000 residents), mobile water supply (22 cities & provinces)
- In order to restore stagnant real economy, investment on SOC such as river improvement is necessary in order to create new jobs and raise domestic demand.
- Furthermore, foundation for revitalizing regional economy should be made by developing various riverside areas and programs for water leisure and cultural activities
- Major projects:
- Project to reinforce outworn riverbanks, amend washed out areas and restore ecosystem in rivers.
- Project to construct small and medium size dams, flood retention area and riverside reservoir, and redevelop reservoirs to secure area for flood reservoir and expand water supply
- Project to establish bicycle path that links the upper and lower steams of rivers and eco-friendly dammed pools for the use of water surface and supply of emergency water supply at times of drought.
- The total expenditure for the project is expected to be 14trillion won. Master plan will be made by the first half of next year and the volume and cost of the project will be finalized.
- The amount of investment to rivers is predicted to be about 8trillion won and the rest will be put into reservoirs of agricultural purpose, small and medium sized dam and flood control area.
- The ministry plans to implement initiatives in 7 local cities for balanced regional development starting from end of this year. And by 2011, the four major river restoration project is expected to be completed.(Dam and reservoirs by 2012)
* Chungju(Han river), Daegu, Busan,Andong(Nakdong river), Yeongi(Geum river), Naju, Hampyeong(Youngsan River)
- Some 830billion won will be concentrated in the regions where the initiative will be implemented. The effect will be maximized by linking it with 2011 Daegu IAAF World Championships, Multifunctional Administrative City of Yeongi-Gun and Innovation City of Naju.
- Expected outcomes from the Four major river restoration project
- Reduce damages(2.7trill/y) and restoration cost (4.2trill/y) incurred every year due to flood by reinforcing riverbank, construction of small and medium sized dams and flood control area
- Supply water adequately in times of emergency by enlarging the size of waterbody through amendment of washed down areas, establishment of dammed pool and redevelopment of reservoirs. This can also improve water quality.
- Create recreational spaces in the river front and bicycle lanes to give people more opportunities to enjoy leisure activities.
- Produce new renewable energy with photovoltaic and hydro power generation and reduction of CO2 through eco-wetland and river forest development.
- Leverage revitalization of regional economy through Korean version of the Green New Deal policy including creation of new jobs for 190,000 people and generate 23trillion won of production inducement effect.
※ Attached : Conceptual plan on The Four major rivers restoration project
[ Attached ]
- Model for Waterfront improvement
- Directions for improvement by river type
- Urban areas
- on-urban areas
- Before & after the project (illustration)
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