Busan's Gijang-gun recently announced on the 24th that the long-standing wish of residents, which had lasted for over 50 years, has finally been resolved as three villages?Wolpyeong, Imgok, and Dumyeong?in Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun were removed from the Hoedong Water Source Protection Area.
The Hoedong water source has served as a drinking water supply for nearby residents in Dongnae-gu and Geumjeong-gu, and the Hoedong Water Source Protection Area was designated in February 1964 to protect the Hoedong water source, which is the intake source.
However, local residents who had been inconvenienced by various activity restrictions have continuously requested the removal of the designation. Especially after the completion of the separated sewage pipeline installation project, which prevented domestic wastewater from flowing into the water source, such demands have expanded further.
Accordingly, the county made the removal of the water source protection area in the relevant region a major pledge project of the 8th local government administration. It continuously persuaded the Ministry of Environment and Busan City about the necessity and justification for lifting the protection area while continuing efforts to improve water quality, which is a condition for lifting the water source protection area.
As a result, conditional approval was obtained from the Ministry of Environment on the 20th of last month, and after going through practical procedures such as public inspection announcements and collecting residents' opinions, the removal was finally confirmed on February 19th with the announcement of the ‘Water Source Protection Area Removal’.
The county expects that this removal of the water source protection area will not only resolve the residents' long-standing wishes but also positively impact the revitalization of the local economy as the development potential of the area increases. In addition, to fulfill the water quality management measures stipulated by the Ministry of Environment, Busan City and the county plan to continuously promote water quality improvement measures such as installing non-point pollution reduction facilities.
County Governor Jeong Jong-bok said, “I am very pleased that the long-standing wishes of local residents, who had been inconvenienced by various activity restrictions, have been resolved through this removal of the water source protection area,” and added, “Going forward, Gijang-gun will actively take the lead in protecting the rights of residents suffering from unreasonable regulations within the region and resolving their long-standing wishes.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
