습지보전법의 개정방안 연구

Abstract

Tidal flats are an invaluable natural resource with various cultural, environmental, and economic values and function. Especially our western sea is acclaimed for its vast tidal flats, which are considered internationally important wetlands. Since the 1970s, industrial plants and farming lands were created through enormous reclamation projects. Around 40% of the total tidal flats were destroyed and lost forever. Fortunately, public awareness of the importance of tidal flats is gradually growing. Many civic and environmental groups are working to preserve our wetlands. Such activities led to the enactment of the Wetlands Conservation Act in February, 1999.The Wetlands Conservation Act was legislated to effectively preserve and manage tidal flats and pursue international cooperation in accordance with the Ramsar Convention. But this Act is not enough to conserve tidal flats. Because there are some problems of it; substantial regions of the coastal wetlands(§2), designation of the Wetlands Conservation Areas and Specially Managed Wetlands Surrounding Area(§8), permission or prohibition act in wetlands conservation areas(§13), and so on. Thus, the purpose of this paper describes the problems of the Wetlands Preservation Act and improve the problems of it.