As part of the four major rivers restoration project, the Office of the National River Restoration will invest 146 billion won to build 39 ecological wetlands (43.5km), which are a habitat for fishes and birds.27 ecological wetlands will be built at the confluences of the four major rivers and small rivers, 3 ecological wetlands at shallow streams and 9 ecological wetlands for purifying contaminants.
Among them, 10 ecological wetlands with easy accessibility and high ecological values will be used as wetland parks. Explanation boards, observing equipment and decks will be set up for a better understanding and observation of wetlands. Especially, some of them will be used as education places where children can touch wetland soil in person and learn by experience.
In addition, after consultation with experts and related Ministries, by 2011, ten ecological wetlands with well-conserved original state will be designated as wetland conservation areas with various names such as Wetland Conservation Areas under the Wetland Conservation Act, Ramsar Wetlands under the Ramsar Convention or Wetland Conservation Zones under the River Act.
Two flood control areas and four river retention areas will also be managed to be wetlands in normal times where diverse animals and plants can live.The Office of the National Rivers Restoration expects that newly built wetlands will become birthplaces of aquatic animals and birds.
By reference, the cost for building 39 wetlands will be covered by the budget, which was originally allocated for the rivers restoration project, therefore, there will be no need for additional budget increase.
