Gyeongnam Provincial Council's Economic and Environmental Committee Engages in On-site Legislative Activities

Site Visit to Discuss Response Measures Following Preliminary Feasibility Study Approval for the "Nakdonggang Basin Safe Drinking Water Supply System Construction Project"

The Economic and Environmental Committee of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council began its first legislative activity by visiting the planned site for the Hapcheon Regional Water Intake Facility and the planned development site for the Changnyeong Riverside Filtered Water.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] The Economic and Environmental Committee of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council began its first legislative activity of the 12th term on the 25th by visiting the planned sites for the Hapcheon Metropolitan Water Intake Facility and the Changnyeong Riverside Filtered Water Development Site.

This field activity was promoted to prepare countermeasures at the provincial council level following the preliminary feasibility study approval of the "Nakdong River Basin Safe Drinking Water Supply System Establishment Project."

This project involves developing the Hapcheon Hwanggang recirculated water and Changnyeong riverside filtered water to supply an average of 900,000 tons per day to Busan and eastern Gyeongnam by constructing water intake facilities and 102.2 km of pipelines.

However, local residents in the project areas are strongly opposing the project because they fear direct damage such as shortages of agricultural water and increased monitoring and restrictions on development activities in the upstream water system areas, while the Ministry of Environment has not even communicated to resolve these issues.

On the day, members of the Economic and Environmental Committee received a briefing on the Nakdong River water intake diversification project issues at the Hapcheon-Changnyeong Weir Observatory (Changnyeong County), discussed current issues, and continued field activities by inspecting the project sites.

Chairman Kim Il-su stated, "While we agree on the necessity of diversifying water intake sources from the perspective of regional coexistence, this must be carried out by actively reflecting the opinions of local residents to ensure no harm comes to their lives and livelihoods," adding, "We recognize this as a critical issue affecting the survival and property rights of local residents and urge active collection of residents' opinions to prevent any damage."

Meanwhile, a government petition opposing the project, titled "Opposition to Water Intake Diversification Project Without Residents' Consent," which rejects the Ministry of Economy and Finance's push to pass the preliminary feasibility study without any consultation with local residents, is scheduled to be discussed at the 5th Economic and Environmental Committee meeting of the 397th extraordinary session on the 26th.

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