[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Baekje Weir installed on the Geum River between Buyeo County and Cheongyang County in Chungnam will be fully opened starting from the 11th.
On the 10th, the Ministry of Environment announced that this decision was made after discussions by a public-private consultative body involving local farmers, local governments, environmental organizations, and experts.
An official from the Ministry of Environment explained, "Since the first year of opening the Baekje Weir (November 2017), the Ministry has continuously consulted with local farmers concerned about water shortages regarding the timing and extent of the opening. Initially, the farming community was skeptical about opening the weir, but after 24 public-private consultative meetings and signing two memorandums of understanding with the Ministry of Environment (on September 11, 2018, and June 4, 2019), attitudes toward opening the weir became positive."
The Ministry of Environment maintained the management water level (EL. 4.2m) by closing the sluice gates during the winter season when water use is high due to water curtain cultivation, to alleviate farmers' concerns about water shortages. The weir was opened mainly during the summer when water use is relatively low. Additionally, in areas where groundwater use problems were identified, alternative well development and other water use measures were implemented. As a result, last winter, for the first time, the sluice gates of Baekje Weir were not closed as usual, and a partial opening state (EL. 2.8m) was maintained.
Following last year, with the full opening of three weirs in the Geum River basin this year, the Ministry of Environment expects an overall improvement in the water flow of the main stream of the Geum River, leading to a reduction in algal blooms and a more visible effect of natural restoration. In fact, the opening of Baekje Weir has revealed the natural features of the river such as sandbars, riffles, and wetlands, creating diverse habitats for various species. Endangered wildlife such as the white-spotted charr, a Grade I endangered wild fish, as well as the white-tailed eagle and otter, have been continuously observed.
Park Mi-ja, head of the Ministry of Environment’s Four Major Rivers Investigation and Evaluation Team, said, "The full opening of Baekje Weir is the result of building trust through continuous communication with the local community over the past three years. We will continue to promote the opening of the Four Major Rivers weirs based on mutual trust and make every effort to communicate on-site to ensure there is no inconvenience in local water use."
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