Chungnam: "Government to Maintain National River Drainage Impact Local Rivers"

When floods or other damages occur in local rivers affected by the drainage of national rivers, the government now has the opportunity to directly step in and support maintenance efforts.

Chungnam Province announced on the 1st that the revision of the "River Act," which requires the government to bear the maintenance costs of local rivers, has passed the National Assembly plenary session, and 32 local rivers in the province are expected to benefit.

The revision includes provisions for the Minister of Environment to designate sections affected by the drainage of national rivers to prevent flooding or water damage caused by heavy rainfall, and to cover the costs so that river construction can proceed.

The local rivers in Chungnam included in the national maintenance target under the revision are 29 rivers in the Geumgang River basin such as Jemincheon and Jicheon in Gongju, Geumsan, Buyeo, Seocheon, Cheongyang, Gyeryong, Yesan, Asan, and Dangjin areas, as well as Dunpocheon, Myeongpocheon, and Asancheon in the Asan area within the Hangang River basin.

Prior to the passage of the revision, Chungnam Province had continuously requested the government to maintain 32 points in local rivers affected by the drainage of national rivers where repeated damage occurs due to direct influence from rising water levels of national rivers during floods.

As a result, in January last year, three locations including Cheonancheon and Dunpocheon in Asan City and Yudeungcheon in Geumsan County were selected as "Local River Pilot Project Districts in National River Drainage Impact Sections."

Additionally, efforts were underway to reflect 29 other locations in the national plan and secure national funding, and Chungnam Province expects that the revision will further strengthen the response capabilities against heavy rainfall.

Lee Young-min, head of the River Division of Chungnam Province, said, "During the heavy rainfall from the 17th to the 19th of last month, the water level of the Geumgang River rose, causing flooding and embankment collapse in local rivers such as Jemincheon in Gongju and Jicheon in Cheongyang." He added, "Chungnam Province will actively respond to ensure that maintenance of these local rivers can be carried out early under government leadership."