The Cheonggye stream is a fashion in the self-governing body in locality. 37 candidates promised about environment restoration in 2006. As a result, Korean streams that had same problems like Cheonggye stream appeared with these promises.
The problem is that this way was not the real restoration to the mode of life.
<System of the rivers>
This system was adapted to artificial rivers in order to drag and discharge refreshed water through electricity. The goal was to build Natural River but it was not.
<The present condition in the local stream restoration>
(*The environment-justice investigated 42 rivers)
-Seoul: Seong-buk/ Hong-je/ Dang-hyun/ Bul-gyang/ Do-rim
-Daejun: Dea-jun/ You-deung/ You-seong/
-Inchun: Gul-po/ Seung-gi/
-Busan: On-chun
-Chunan: Chun-an/ One-seong/
-Chungnam: Dang-gin/
-Gyangju: Gyang-ju
-Daegu: Sin-chun
(Rivers that discharged water in sewage disposal plant or river water with electric power)
+THEIR GOAL IS ONLY TO SHOW VISIBLE RESULT
Works to revive streams in river was a complicate process, because it requires firm inspection over geographical features and application about rainwater. But, Cheonggye stream restoration process selected easy way that deserted other natural rivers. Since the whole project was to make a stream which would plant the image, “nature and a mode of life”, to the citizens who desired nature.
+HE SAID; ”THIS WAS NOT A REALISTIC PLAN”
The official self-governing body in locality said “the system to discharge water with electricity was not desirable but was located as a second best policy.” And “to natural rivers, long periodic considerations about the upper streams, facilities of rainwater’s application and much analysis on the small size sewage disposal plant was needed. But, budget and period was not enough.” the Ministry of Environment also acknowledged this way on water-supplication in broad daylight. (Although scholars who undertook ecology restoration asserted the system must change, the Ministry of Environment did not accept that, because it was not a realistic way.)
+COMSUMPTIVE RESTORATION WAS MADE BY BUDGET SHORTAGE
Electricity bill of the Cheonggye stream went 8 hundred million won in a year. To supply 120 thousand ton of water a day, 110 thousand ㎾/h was used. It would be considerable cost for a short period. But as the restoration should be kept as it is, another upkeep expenses were required. Basically construction / restoration process should be held in sufficient cost. 1,100million won was provided to Daejun river to lay the ground pipes that supplied water. Not only that, management & upkeeping expenses was used continually. For example, bottom of Cheonggye stream applied waterproofing to block water-absorption into bottom. (If water is absorbed, it would be making trouble to balance fixed quantity) waterproofed bottom requires cleaning by periods.
<Use of rivers [electricity / water (ton)]>
-Cheonggye: 870million/ 120 thousand
-Deajun: 250million/ 75 thousand
-Gyangju: 280million/ 4.3 thousand
-Sinchun: 600million/ 100 thousand
(*In reference, 110thousand kW/h was made of fossil fuel; 2640thousand kg and this released carbon dioxide 580kg. the citizen must plant 480 trees in year to clean. Although Seoul researcher reported circumference temperature in the chunggye rivers decreased 3.3 degree, it was partial result.)
+WHAT COVER THIS DAMIGES; POLIITICKING
Not economical sufficient, Not natural, we can find a purpose which have possibility from Jo myeong-rae, professor of the Dan-kook University. He said “restoration in Chunggye did not aim to restoration as it is.” And “political goal was aimed” he thought that the restoration was only performed for recognition and image and in the result, it was natural that this river gave popularity as tourist attraction. Professor Jo analyzed that Cheonggye restoration was an expected result to President Lee myeong-bak, the restoration’s prime mover was presented support by the citizen. This effect made the current that showing same outcome of the Chunggye stream in a short period (in term of membership). After Chunggye stream restoration, about 16 rivers was appeared by the self-governing body in locality for 2 years.
+COMPROMISE IS APPEARED
Originally, restoration of the Jun-ju River was appointed to supply electrically. But, the city receded this way with the citizen’s objection. The Yeo-jun River in Ulsan had made its way to supply from the sea. But it is taking suspension for more considerations. The Changwon city reported compromise, “taking the way to give life water-road to the study service.” This was a result of arbitration between the citizen group and the Changwon city (the Ministry of Environment arbitrate them.)
Although this endeavor, projects of electrical restoration worked in the whole. Because of this, the Ministry of Environment made plan that 1.4 trillion won to be used until 2015.
+MAKING FIGURES OF THE RIVERS IN REGION AS IT IS
To entire restoration, it is necessary to make whole figures of restoration with the citizen. And they must select appropriate type of way to build better environment, considering geological features and circumstances. For example, there are rainy seasons and the dry seasons in Korea. According to this reason, water is not the same as it is in different seasons. Several environment organizations do not only pursue Natural River. Electrical way is inevitable on some endeavors (restoration of the upper stream and application of rain water and so on) did not meet to aim, quantity of water. But, taking electric way before considering natural way is not a real river restoration. The Gwang-ju city was an example. The citizens and several groups maintained “let’s work about foundation of investigation; period, cost and so on.” But, the city did not accept this proposal.
Electrical way was abolished in Japan since they acknowledged their problem. Korea can adapt this process. But it wouldn’t be written in a book. We must learn better way in careful steps.