Unification of Natural Environment Restoration Project Management System... Special Inspection by Minister of Environment if Needed After Restoration

Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Natural Environment Conservation Act Approved at the Cabinet Meeting

Analyzing Ecological Survey Data to Identify Nationwide Damage Status
Comprehensively Considering Implementation Conditions to Prioritize Candidate Sites for Restoration Projects
Phased Promotion of Restoration Projects Within Budget Limits

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Ju Sang-don] Projects that had been individually promoted, such as the expansion of the ecosystem service payment system for migratory bird habitats preservation, restoration of wildlife habitats, and installation of ecological corridors, will be unified under the management system of 'Natural Environment Restoration.'

The Ministry of Environment announced that to systematically promote natural environment restoration projects, the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Natural Environment Conservation Act, which includes detailed standards and procedures such as investigation of restoration project sites, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 4th and will be enforced from the 6th.

According to this amendment, the Ministry of Environment will first analyze accumulated natural and ecological survey data, including the nationwide natural environment survey, to identify the actual condition of damaged sites nationwide. Additionally, it will comprehensively consider implementation conditions such as the urgency of restoration and stakeholder acceptance to prioritize candidate sites for natural environment restoration projects.

Subsequently, the Ministry will promote natural environment restoration projects step-by-step within the budget range, evaluate the achievement level of restoration goals annually, maintain and manage the restoration effects even after project completion, and allow the Minister of Environment to conduct special inspections if necessary.

An official from the Ministry of Environment explained, "Integrated management prevents budget waste caused by duplication among similar projects and enhances the comprehensive effect through linkage between projects. Furthermore, it can be utilized as a key element for the conservation and restoration of the national land ecosystem in implementing the Green New Deal policy."

Also, the Ministry of Environment reflected ecological and natural grade coefficients when calculating the ecosystem conservation charge to incorporate the natural ecological value of development sites. The Natural Environment Conservation Act was amended to add regional and zone classifications of ecological natural grades to the existing land use criteria applied in calculating regional coefficients for the ecosystem conservation charge, improving the imposition standards. Accordingly, areas with high ecological value will see an increase in charges to minimize damage to natural and ecological systems.

Moreover, the maximum limit of the ecosystem conservation charge refundable in advance to businesses that have paid the charge and implement natural environment conservation projects was raised from 50% to 70% of the project cost, easing the economic burden on businesses.

Kang Sung-gu, Director of the Natural Ecology Policy Division at the Ministry of Environment, said, "With the comprehensive management system for natural environment restoration projects being organized, more efficient promotion of restoration projects has become possible. The ecosystem conservation charge, which funds these projects, now also reflects ecological value."

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