S. Korea to begin river restoration project in Sept.

SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to start work on the restoration of its four major rivers in September to improve water quality and secure a stable water supply, the government said Monday.

The "four-river restoration project" calls for the construction of small dams,
catch basins and reservoirs that can store up to 1.25 billion cubic meters of
fresh water and greatly raise water quality by 2012.
The proposal to develop the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan rivers is a detailed
follow-up to a 14 trillion won (US$10.4 billion) project announced late last year
to develop the waterways flowing through the country's major cities, industrial
centers and key farmlands.
President Lee Myung-bak, who chaired the joint government meeting, said ignoring
the country's rivers is not an effective way to use the country's resources. He
added that the restoration project must be seen as a important milestone for the
country and its contribution to combat pollution.
"We have to push forward the project in a speedy and thorough manner and make
every effort to make it a success," he told senior policymakers at the meeting.
Seoul has said revitalizing rivers is important because the country's fresh water
supply is expected to fall short by 1 billion cubic meters by 2016 global due to
climate change, while its aging river-related infrastructure may not hold up to
flash floods.
Under the plan, 16 new catch basins will be built, and 96 reservoirs will be
refurbished. At least three new small dams are planned for the Nakdong River,
which flows through the country's southeastern region and frequently suffers from
spring droughts.
Up to 573 km of river banks will be strengthened, with flood gates to be built on
the estuary of the Nakdong and Yeongsan rivers to help prevent floods.
The water quality of the four rivers will be raised to relatively clean "Grade
II" levels that have a biological oxygen demand of less than 3 parts per million
(ppm). Such water is capable of sustaining most aquatic life and can be used for
recreational purposes.
Depending on the river and its location, water quality could fall to Grade IV or
V, which is unsuitable for most fish and cannot even be used by factories unless
properly treated.
To improve water quality, 695 km of the country's waterways will be developed as
clean zones that use natural swamps and aquatic plants to clean the water, with
64 square meters of farmland near rivers to be closed or converted to raise
environmentally friendly crops.
State funds will also be used to create "model villages" to attract tourists
while exploring new ways to grow farm products for the 3.9 million people who
live near the four rivers.
Up to 1,411 km of dedicated cycling roads will be built along the rivers, with
boat cruises being planned that can create new tourism opportunities.
"The plan is designed to handle water resources more effectively, improve quality
of life, resolve water shortages and promote clean economic growth," Choe
Sang-chuel, head of the presidential committee on regional growth, said.
He said if the plan is successfully carried out in the coming years, it could
improve environmental conditions, create jobs and fuel new economic activities.
Seoul will come up with a finalized version of the masterplan in May outlining
details on spending.