Expressway Corporation to Pilot "Resident Participation Ecological Survey" on Jecheon?Yeongwol Section

Appointment of 11 Local Residents

Korea Expressway Corporation announced on the 9th that it will pilot a "resident ecological survey team" in which local residents directly participate, in order to enhance the credibility of environmental impact assessments.

The corporation has designated the Jecheon?Yeongwol Expressway, which is scheduled to begin construction next year, as the pilot route. It has selected 11 members for the "resident ecological survey team" from among local residents recommended by the local government who live near the route.

This initiative is intended to supplement the environmental impact assessment process and to expand resident participation in expressway construction. Going forward, Korea Expressway Corporation plans to hold public hearings as a mandatory practice regardless of legal requirements, so that residents' opinions can be effectively reflected.

Jangchoong Hoon, Head of the Quality and Environment Department at Korea Expressway Corporation, said, "The appointment of this resident ecological survey team is significant as it is the first attempt to incorporate citizen science into environmental impact assessments." He added, "Together with local residents, we will protect nature and create a model case of expressway development in harmony with the environment." Citizen science refers to activities in which ordinary citizens participate in the production of scientific information, contributing to decision-making processes that have traditionally been led by experts.

Jangchoong Hoon, Head of Quality and Environment Department at Korea Expressway Corporation (fourth from the left in the front row), is taking a commemorative photo with the resident ecological survey team recommended by the local government and corporation officials after the appointment ceremony at Songhak-myeon Administrative Welfare Center in Jecheon-si, Chungbuk on the 8th. Provided by Korea Expressway Corporation