The Gyeongin Ara Waterway Public Debate Committee (Chairman Huh Jae-young) delivered a final recommendation to the Ministry of Environment, including the content that the Gyeongin Canal’s pick-up function should be reduced, the freight transport performance should be monitored, and if the performance is still low, a plan to abolish the pick-up should be reviewed. did. This is the conclusion made through public debate work on the Gyeongin Ara Waterway, which has been promoted since October 2018.
According to the Ministry of Environment, the Public Debate Committee has conducted 29 meetings over the past two years to derive problems and system improvement issues in the past project promotion, and in September 2020, a deliberation and discussion meeting composed of stakeholders, and in October, more than 90 residents of surrounding areas. The policy recommendations were prepared based on the best alternatives selected by citizens through a civic committee composed of.
Central ministries, local governments, operating organizations, experts, local residents, and related companies participated in the deliberation discussion.
The Ministry of Environment said, “After the opening of the Ara Waterway in May 2012, the flood control function has been achieving its original goal, but the port logistics performance is low at 8-20% of the original plan. It was organized and operated to review the data and prepared this recommendation.”
The main recommendations made by the Gyeongin Ara Waterway Public Debate Committee through the public debate process are as follows.
“① System improvement to prevent recurrence of problems during project promotion
-Establish and implement a business plan based on the principles and standards of solid business objectives and goals, and sufficient local opinions and transparent public discussion.
-In the planning stage, preliminary review and verification process redesign, thorough collection, construction, and disclosure of records, post-economic monitoring and evaluation, and professional conflict adjustment system establishment, etc.
② Sustainable use of Gyeongin Ara Waterway through functional improvement
-(Logistics/Passenger) The pick-up function will be reduced so that it can be operated only at night, and the freight transport performance will be monitored in the future, and if the performance is still low, the pick-up will be reviewed.
-(River environment) The current level of 4~5 level of water has been improved to the level of 3, and in the mid- to long-term, it is improved to level 2 through additional water pollution reduction.
* Implementing water quality improvement measures such as advanced treatment of Gulpo Sewage Treatment Plant by utilizing the quantity of Han River and Gulpo Stream
-(Culture·Tourism) Converting the current port-centered facilities to citizens’ leisure and water-friendly culture through the establishment of a framework for mutual cooperation with related organizations and consultation with local governments
* (Facilities preferred by the Citizens’ Committee) Due to the reduction in pick-ups, the Gimpo container pier is converted into a water-friendly cultural space such as an environment museum and accommodation facilities, and the Gimpo-Incheon passenger terminal is converted into a cultural tourism facility such as an environment and marine experience center, Activation of contact hydrophilic activity
③ Prompt implementation plan of policy recommendations
-Establish detailed implementation plans through research services, manage and supervise affiliated and affiliated agencies of the Ministry of Environment, and actively consult and discuss with related ministries, civil society and experts”
Heo Jae-young, chairman of the Gyeongin Ara Waterway Public Debate Committee, said, “This recommendation was derived through the in-depth review of the Public Debate Committee and the deliberation process of citizens.” It is important to faithfully implement the recommendations through continuous consultation and discussion.”
The Ministry of Environment, “Based on the recommendations of the Public Debate Committee, discussed implementation plans with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Water Resources Corporation in order to convert the current logistics-oriented facilities to citizens’ leisure and water-friendly culture, and formed a consultative body to come up with detailed implementation plans.” Said.