Gyeonggi Province will start ecological stream restoration projects this year in two streams: Mokhyeoncheon in Gwangju and Tongbokcheon in Pyeongtaek.
The ecological stream restoration project involves removing artificial structures such as coverings, retaining walls, and concrete weirs, and creating wetlands for water purification and improvement to restore the ecological health of streams where water quality has been polluted or habitats have been damaged or disturbed.
In the case of Mokhyeoncheon in Gwangju, ecological embankments and natural riffles will be created along a total length of 3.2 km from the Gwangju Agricultural Technology Center to the entrance of Ibaejae Tunnel, and water supply facilities will be installed in the dry stream.
For Tongbokcheon in Pyeongtaek, the damaged stream will be restored through the creation of habitats, purification wetlands, and riffles, maintenance under bridges, and installation of non-point pollution source (pollutants carried by rainwater on the surface causing stream pollution) reduction facilities along a total length of 6.5 km from Tongbok 4 Bridge to the confluence with Anseongcheon.
Yoon Deok-hee, head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Water Resources Headquarters, said, "The ecological stream restoration project is meaningful in that it restores the health of aquatic ecosystems, creates a healthy stream environment, and restores the space where residents and nature coexist. We will proceed with the project without delay to contribute to the health of stream ecosystems and water quality improvement in the province."
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is promoting ecological stream restoration projects in 12 locations across 10 areas including Gwangju, Pyeongtaek, Namyangju, Yongin, Pocheon, Hanam, Uijeongbu, Anseong, Guri, and Siheung. The project covers 51.735 km, with a total budget of 24.9 billion KRW this year, including 15 billion KRW from the provincial government.
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