"Promotion of Migratory Bird Protection Measures in Connection with Heuksan Airport Construction"

Separate from Alternative Habitat Creation Plan

Shinan-gun Selects 12 Shelter Sites

Two Sites to Be Purchased and Wetlands Created This Year

Planting Reed and Sedge to Provide Food

Location map of Heuksan Airport

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do plans to implement multifaceted protection measures for migratory birds passing through Heuksando Island in relation to the construction of Heuksan Airport. Representative measures include food supply projects, habitat creation, and winter cabbage cultivation.

Heuksando is a migratory route and stopover for more than 150 species of migratory birds annually. Since 2017, Sinan-gun has been conducting a migratory bird food supply project (biodiversity management contract) by planting millet and sorghum on 4 hectares of cultivated land in Jinri and Yeri, Heuksan-myeon, to provide food and resting places to prevent habitat destruction caused by the construction of Heuksan Airport.

In 2018, a survey was conducted by Jeonnam National University by dividing the area into food supply sites (experimental group, 7 plots) and non-supply sites (control group, 8 plots). The survey results showed 36 species and 3,131 individuals in the experimental group, and 34 species and 2,135 individuals in the control group, indicating the project was effective. Accordingly, the migratory bird habitat project and food supply project will be expanded to Hata-do, Sangtae-do, Jungtae-do, Manjae-do, and Gageo-do areas.

Meanwhile, regarding the issue of migratory birds flying not only to Jinri Village but also to distant Sari Village and Simri Village to nibble on winter cabbage (spring cabbage), Sinan-gun is reportedly considering providing support to residents cultivating winter cabbage in the form of partial seed costs and management expenses compensation. Additionally, as an environmental measure related to airport construction, separate from the alternative habitat creation plan presented to the Park Committee, the county has independently selected 12 sites for the migratory bird habitat project. Plans are underway to purchase land and create grasslands and wetlands for two pilot project sites in 2020.

Heuksando is an important habitat where more than 150 species of migratory birds pass through and stay every year. Regarding the construction of Heuksan Airport, Sinan County has prepared and is implementing various environmental protection measures.

The planned site for Heuksan Airport construction was classified as a land cooperation transition zone (development-usable area) in May 2009, and the management plan was announced without restrictions. At the National Park Committee meetings held in November 2016 and September 2018, members postponed the amendment plan for the Dadohaehaesang National Park due to concerns not only about the national park environment but also about aircraft safety and economic feasibility. According to data from the Korea Development Institute (KDI), while Ulleung Airport had a B/C ratio of 1.19 during the preliminary feasibility study in 2013, Heuksan Airport has a B/C ratio of 4.38. Although the construction cost of Heuksan Airport (183.3 billion KRW) is less than one-third of Ulleung Airport’s 663.3 billion KRW, the project is feasible because it is not located within a national park.

After the National Park Committee’s postponement decision, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration are reportedly preparing supplementary materials through expert consultations and simulations. Both agencies are also conducting expert consultations and systematic investigations regarding the ecological environment of flora and fauna such as island camellia and otters. Moving forward, they plan to complete administrative procedures including approval of the National Park Committee’s amendment review and completion of detailed design, and begin construction in the first half of next year. Once Heuksan Airport is established, travel time to Heuksando will be reduced to within one hour from anywhere in the country. This is expected to greatly contribute to improving accessibility for island residents and revitalizing the local economy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.