Yeongsangang Regional Environmental Office Initiates Comprehensive and Scientific Inspection of Environmental Impact Assessment Sites

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] The Yeongsangang River Basin Environmental Office announced on the 25th that since the end of February, it has been conducting a comprehensive and focused inspection on whether the consultation contents for environmental impact assessment sites that significantly affect air quality have been implemented.

The inspection targets large-scale industrial complex development sites in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, and will be carried out for about two months until the end of next month.

The feature of this inspection is that it breaks away from the previous limitation of on-site inspections at business sites and conducts thorough inspections of construction sites using drones, mobilizes real-time fine dust measurement vehicles, and carries out three-dimensional and scientific inspections.

Additionally, overlapping with the yellow dust occurrence period, when fine dust is more rampant than at any other time of the year, the office plans to focus inspections on business sites that are major sources of fine dust to enhance fine dust reduction and the effectiveness of environmental impact assessments as a preemptive preventive measure.

The main inspection targets, such as large-scale industrial complex development sites and soil and rock excavation sites, are representative fine dust generating business sites that have a very significant direct and indirect impact on residents' health and living environment, requiring special management.

Previously, the Yeongsangang Office inspected the proper installation of dust prevention nets at large-scale civil engineering sites and compliance with air pollutant emission standards in line with the implementation of the fine dust seasonal management system.

Furthermore, a violation such as failure to notify the start of construction was confirmed at one industrial complex construction site operated by a local government, and administrative measures will be taken against poor fine dust management.

Director Ryu Yeon-gi stated, “Despite the government's firm commitment to carbon neutrality and the Green New Deal policy, efforts to reduce fine dust at large-scale civil engineering sites operated by local governments and public institutions are insufficient,” and emphasized, “Local governments and public institutions must take a leading role in fine dust prevention activities to protect the public's right to health and safe living environment as a top priority and set an example for private businesses.”

He added, “Regarding serious violations found during inspections, we plan to hold them strictly accountable through prosecution and fines,” and requested, “We also ask local residents to thoroughly report suspected fine dust generating business sites.”

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