Interview - LEE Jae -Bung , hea d of operat ion division , Off ice of Nat ional River Restorat ion
Not ‘Because of’But ‘Thanks to’ the Project
In upcoming spring, arrangement of new riparian eco-parks in sectors of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Today, after about a year since ground-breakings, the four major rivers continue transforming themselves in spite of persistent oppositions. By the June, all the construction of weirs and improvements of tributaries and main streams will be finalized in success. LEE Jae-Bung, head of operation division, tells details.
Does the progress of constructing 16 weirs run according to plan?
It is a common sense that river conservation work must be done avertedly before rainy season comes. In a state that weirs construction had been completed more than half in whole process rate, we spend rainy season in 2010. This year of 2011, all the process about weirs are planned to be finalized before rainy season which will give 16 weirs respective test operation.
How goes the process of ‘polluted landfill soil’ in the esplanade of Zone 8 the Nakdong River?
Taking out the previously illegally reclaimed landfill soil is expectedly treated until the end of March. Having prepared two sorting yards, we distinguish them whether toxic or not, then move to the waste disposal facility. The amount of waste turned out 470,000 m³ - less than originally estimated amount of 580,000 m³ - and containing no toxicant substances inside. Rumor has it that some try to misrelate the contaminated dumps with our Project. It’s totally illogical. On our investigation, the previous landfill had been longtime during last administration and it was a private land. To our relief, we could find it thanks to the Project. Hence, the controversy scheming to misrelate with us is totally absurd. Investigation authority is doing probe into these of illegal landfill, and anyone who in charge would be liable for it.
Gyeongnam Province once filed a suit against this Project; does it get in the way?
In November 15, 2010, about the cancellation against agreement of acting proxy in running comprehensive execution on the works in the Nakdong, Gyeongnam Province filed a suit against central government on ‘the verification of validity for the agreement’ and applied for the injunction against ‘infringement’ to Changwon District Court. However, the administrative procedure to shift ‘the role and authority allocated to Gyeongnam Province’ back into central government was successfully done. The case was dismissed, of course. Eventually the project within the Nakdong will go ahead without problems. Most of all, the residents showed the determined will so that local governor might hardly stay leaning against. We are accelerating the process to catch up with original plan.
Special Law on Waterfront Area was passed. Some resist arguing it is unsustainable.
In the meantime, recreational facilities were placed onto the scenic spots. With no regulation, unsustainable development with those amusement facilities can be recurred again. The new regulation is to ensure guidelines which protect restored rivers from being contaminated again out of such unsustainable and selfish facilities. Aesthetical function of the river is also important so that rivers should be protected indiscriminate positioning of artificial structures. Along this, up to 2 km inside from the river shores, new structures are advised to make effort to harmonize surrounding natural landscape. Moreover, further developments should be approved in priority of local needs. Investment bodies like municipality or public corporation come to be entitled to apply the enterprises with environment impact statement. Due to the prior conditions for anti-pollution, no more river contamination you may anticipate.
