Pyeongtaek Changnae Wetland Selected for 'Environmental Ministry Urban Ecological Axis Restoration Project'...6 Billion Won in Project Funds Secured

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Pyeongtaek City's 'Changnae Wetland Ecological Axis Restoration Project' has been selected for the Environmental Ministry's '2022 Urban Ecological Axis Restoration Project,' securing 6 billion won in project funds.

The urban ecological axis restoration project aims to restore damaged ecological axes within cities as urban population increases and urban development expands, promoting biodiversity and inducing the resettlement of indigenous species to provide high-quality ecosystem services.

The Changnae Wetland, selected as the project site, is located near the Osseong Nuri Square project site in Changnae-ri, Oseong-myeon, Pyeongtaek City, and is a highly ecologically important area as it is inhabited by 6 endangered wildlife species and is designated as a Grade 1 ecological and natural map area.

However, the wetland ecosystem is facing continued threats as the movement routes of wild animals have been severed and fragmented wildlife habitats have been damaged due to ongoing development including the relocation of U.S. military bases and urban expansion, making ecological axis restoration urgently necessary.

The city plans to pursue compensation and design by next year following the Changnae Wetland's selection as a national government-funded project by the Environmental Ministry, and will complete construction by 2023 to restore the riverbank wetland and create an ecological buffer forest, a non-point pollution reduction wetland, and an ecological experience center.

Upon completion of the Changnae Wetland restoration project, improvements to the urban ecosystem are expected to emerge through ▲contributing to the nation's conservation policy for endangered species by restoring their habitats ▲securing core ecological bases through inland wetland restoration and functional improvement ▲enhancing ecosystem services for local residents and visitors.