MOE announced that Jangheun dam which is used as water resource of Youngsan River and Sumjin River, a total of 68.29㎢ of the area that directly flows from both banks within 500m were designated as Riparian buffer zone from 9th January 2006.

Administrative areas which are designated as Riparian buffer zone are Jangheung, Kangjin and Youngam. In order to appoint Riparian buffer zone, MOE created an inspection team composed of experts, local delegates and government officials from relevant local organizations such as Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Office and etc. The inspection team launched off to inspect and research the applying and targeting areas from October 2005 and through reaching of an agreement with Jeollanam-do governor, the upper stream of Jangheung dam was designated as the Riparian buffer zone from 9th January 2006.

Riparian buffer zone does not only connect and protect both ecosystems of lands and water system but also plays the significant role in managing water quality as well as reducing non-point source pollution.

Once a particular area was appointed as Riparian buffer zone, there will be a strict regulation in activities and development of new factory (wastewater generating facilities), livestock farming (livestock shed generating facilities), lodging, restaurants, public baths and houses. And also it will be even stricter on enforcing the wastewater treatment standard twice more limited (current BOD, SS : lower than 20㎎/L→ lower than 10㎎/L) for the next 3 years.

In order to solve the inconvenience that was caused to residents around the zone, MOE will be supporting the residents by providing the fund for local resident development from the Watershed Management Fund. Moreover, MOE will minimize the insufficiency towards the property right of the owner when the land owners wish to sell his/her land.