환경분쟁관리의 권위적 방식과 대안적 방식에 관한 비교사례 연구: 프랑크프르트 공항 활주로 건설과정을 중심으로

Abstract

One of features of environmental disputes is that people place emphasis on the issue that will bring about problems in the future while fighting over the current problems. Future environmental impact assessment requires advanced expertise knowledge. In Korea, most of environmental disputes are currently worked out through an administrative unilateral decision or the courts, which causes constant disputes. In addition, biased or distorted opinions of the related experts are also the causes of the disputes. An example of Frankfurt Airport in Germany showed that the results of the same issues could vary depending on the methodsof dealing with the problem. Frankfurt airport construction, which was unilaterally decided and carried out by the government in the 1980’s, brought about a strong opposition by not only environmentalists but also the ordinary citizens. That was a great public dispute compared to war situation, so that amount at costs reaching 100 billion won was invested and more than 2 million people were involved for 15 years. And about 100 suits relating to runway construction were filed,and two people were killed and numerous people were wounded in clashes between the protesters and the police. On the other hand, when the north runaway, which was constructed at the same place in the 1990s, was planned in the Frankfurt Airport, an ADR method was introduced and lots of debates and discussions were held for settlement. A mediated settlement based on evaluation of experts was presented and the parties in the dispute at last reached an agreement. First, time and money required for suit were saved. Secondly, clashes between the police and the protesters were avoided. Thirdly, channels of communication between administration and local residents could be institutionalized. And fourthly, knowledge on the environmental issues relating to airport construction could be considerably accumulated. Approximately 6.5 million marks (about 4 billion won) were invested for about a year and a half for settlement. In order to come to an agreement, they carried out ecological and environmental researches on the neighboring residents with regard to airport construction and noise, and thus could accumulate lots of professional knowledge. Plus, economic researches they conducted showed the employment effect of the airport on the local people, which would produce more than 60,000 jobs. Like this, based on a lot of researches, they presented objective valuation criteria on ecological and economic effects, so that the local people could judge for themselves and the resistance of them could be minimized. The key to solving the environmental disputes is to thoroughly investigate the causes of the dispute and evaluate the impact. Investigation of the causes is not only the premise of the settlement of the current dispute but also will play a role of an information warehouse for the future issues. And if the participation of the local people is induced in the planning stage, it will be helpful in solving environmental disputes. Especially in most cases of the environmental disputes, local people, local government or the government are the parties to the dispute. Therefore, professional researches, public opinion poll or resident referendum should be actively utilized.