The government is drawing up a new bill to evaluate and restore the ecosystems of rivers or streams amid allegations that the former government’s massive river cleanup and development project has damaged the aquatic environment.

The Ministry of Environment said Monday that it plans to establish a legal framework within the year for systematic and comprehensive measures to redress the ecosystem when deemed seriously damaged.

The plan has drawn attention as it is in line with the new administration’s pledge to review former President Lee Myung-bak’s flagship four-river project, which he expected to improve the quality of water and prevent floods.

The project has been criticized for its faulty construction and damaging water quality and the ecosystem.

The details of the law are expected to include the concept, procedure and budget of the restoration and installing extensive surveying and monitoring measures throughout the river systems.

Construction and development will be restricted in rivers with healthy aquatic ecosystems to minimize negative environmental effects, according to the ministry.

“Preventing flooding was a top priority in the past in restoring rivers, which took damage on ecosystems off the table,” a ministry official said, adding, “(the government’s plan to set up the law) is aimed at establishing principles at a national level for river restoration and managing rivers effectively in coordination with relevant government agencies.”

While denying the direct links between the law and the former government’s four-river project, the ministry said taking down weirs constructed in the rivers during the former government could be considered if they have failed to work.

Yoon Seong-kyu, the minister of environment, said recently that the four-river restoration plan should be evaluated strictly and objectively, and “latent problems should be found quickly and fixed.”

By Kim Young-won  (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)