Chungnam Province Makes All-out Efforts to Include Tidal Flat Ecosystem Restoration Project in National Plan

Oji-ri in Seosan, Yubudo District 2 in Seocheon, Cheonsuman in Hongseong, and Hagampo in Taean Selected as Project Sites

Seocheon Yubudo 2 District

Chungnam Province announced on the 3rd that it will focus its administrative efforts to ensure that a tidal flat restoration project worth over 47 billion KRW, targeting four cities and counties including Oji-ri in Seosan, is included in the national plan.

According to the province, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries establishes a master plan every five years in accordance with the "Act on the Sustainable Management and Restoration of Tidal Flats and Their Surrounding Areas," and is expected to finalize the "2nd Master Plan for the Management and Restoration of Tidal Flats, etc." within this year.

Accordingly, on the 12th of last month, the province held a meeting at the provincial government office with seven cities and counties and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation to promote the tidal flat ecosystem restoration project. Through demand surveys and on-site inspections, four project sites were identified.

The project sites are as follows: ▲Oji-ri in Seosan (15 billion KRW) ▲Yubudo District 2 in Seocheon (15 billion KRW) ▲Cheonsuman in Hongseong (10 billion KRW) ▲Hagampo in Taean (7 billion KRW).

The Oji-ri tidal flat in Seosan is a seawater circulation type, and the plan is to restore the damaged tidal flat by demolishing a 430-meter-long embankment to allow seawater flow.

The Yubudo District 2 in Seocheon is both a seawater circulation type and a migratory bird habitat restoration type. The goal is to install 10 seawater circulation channels to restore water flow and secure biodiversity, while also creating bird resting areas to increase the population of migratory birds.

Aerial View of Cheonsuman, Hongseong

The Cheonsuman area in Hongseong is a functional improvement type, with plans to create halophyte plant communities and demolish the existing traditional fish trap experience site to improve the ecosystem.

The Hagampo area in Taean is a seawater circulation type, aiming to homogenize the tidal flat elevation and improve the sedimentary environment through seawater circulation, thereby promoting the enhancement of marine life.

Last month on the 31st, the province submitted the four tidal flat ecosystem restoration project sites to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and plans to make every effort to ensure these projects are included in the master plan to be finalized at the end of the year through close consultation with the ministry.

Meanwhile, since 2016, the province has been promoting a total of 10 tidal flat ecosystem restoration projects with a total project cost of 102.11 billion KRW, scheduled through 2026.

Completed projects include: ▲Establishment of the tidal flat ecological base in Geunsoman, Taean ▲Installation of a seawater circulation bridge and restoration of abandoned salt field tidal flats in Yubudo, Seocheon ▲Demolition of the Muchangpo causeway and installation of a seawater circulation bridge in Boryeong ▲Seawater circulation tidal flat restoration in Gopado, Seosan.

Currently ongoing projects are: ▲Installation of a seawater circulation bridge in Ungdo, Seosan (25 billion KRW) ▲Creation of halophyte plant communities and waterfront facilities in Garorimman, Seosan (15 billion KRW) ▲Creation of halophyte plant communities and waterfront facilities in Geunsoman, Taean (15 billion KRW) ▲Seawater circulation for the road connecting Jukdo, Boryeong (14 billion KRW) ▲Seawater circulation tidal flat restoration in Wonsando, Boryeong (7 billion KRW) ▲Seawater circulation tidal flat restoration in Seondo-ri, Bieon-myeon, Seocheon (7.2 billion KRW), for a total of six locations.

Jeon Sangwook, Director of the Provincial Oceans and Fisheries Bureau, said, "We will do our best to ensure that all four newly identified sites are selected as candidates for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' second tidal flat restoration project," adding, "We will strengthen the securing of budgets and the feasibility of long-term restoration projects through 2030."

He added, "Once the projects are fully underway, we expect not only to restore the health of tidal flat ecosystems but also to restore habitats for aquatic life, which will lead to increased seafood production."

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