Yeongsangang Environmental Office Invests 14.1 Billion Won in Resident Support Projects for Water Source Management Areas

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] The Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office announced on the 5th that it will support 14.1 billion KRW in '2021 Resident Support Project Funds' through general support projects and special support projects to increase income and improve welfare for residents in the water source management areas.

Water source management areas (water source protection zones, waterfront zones) refer to regions designated and announced by the Minister of Environment to preserve the water quality of five water sources within the jurisdiction, including Juamho, Dongbokho, Sangsaho, Su-eoho, and Jangheung Dam.

The general support project fund totals 11.3 billion KRW, with 4.7 billion KRW allocated for indirect support projects such as income increase, welfare improvement, education, and pollutant purification projects, and 6.6 billion KRW for direct support projects including utility bill assistance for residents in the upper water source areas.

In particular, for indirect support projects, in accordance with the Ministry of Environment's 'Carbon Neutral Implementation Strategy,' there are plans to actively encourage a shift toward green remodeling projects, such as installing solar panels and replacing high-performance insulation materials on aging buildings like village halls and senior centers.

Green remodeling is one of the five major tasks of the Ministry of Environment's Green New Deal for carbon neutrality by 2050. It is a strategy to improve the energy efficiency of buildings such as village halls by replacing them with high-performance insulation materials, applying eco-friendly materials, and installing renewable energy facilities and LED lighting.

The special support project fund totals 2.8 billion KRW and will support five projects selected as excellent through public contests, including the creation of the Hope House in Nakan-myeon, Suncheon City, and the installation of rice milling facilities in Baek-a-myeon, Hwasun County.

The resident support project has been implemented since 2003 to provide financial support to residents in upper water source areas by raising water system funds based on the spirit of mutual cooperation, where upstream and downstream areas share burdens and costs. A total of 238.2 billion KRW has been supported up to last year.

Ryu Yeon-gi, head of the Yeongsangang Environmental Office, stated, “The resident support project for water source management areas will be promoted to expand as a green remodeling project that leads to energy efficiency improvement and carbon emission reduction, in order to preserve water source management areas and realize the Ministry of Environment’s ‘Carbon Neutral Implementation Strategy’ for future generations.”

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