Pyeongtaek City: "No Fishing Allowed in Local Streams"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek City is designating local streams as fishing-prohibited zones and working to eliminate illegal facilities.

On the 22nd, the city announced through an online press briefing that it will designate fishing-prohibited zones to prevent indiscriminate pollution in stream areas (garbage dumping from fishing, camping, and cooking) and installation of illegal facilities (fishing platforms, tents, abandoned nets, etc.).

Kim Hyung-tae, Director of the City's Department of Construction and Transportation, explained: "Based on the results of the 'research project on optimal water cycle improvement, including water quality improvement of Tongbok Stream and Baedari Reservoir,' the deterioration of water quality in Tongbok Stream is primarily caused by increased domestic wastewater influx into the stream and increased stream litter. Therefore, designating fishing-prohibited zones is necessary as a measure for improving water quality."

The city designated Tongbok Stream as a fishing-prohibited zone on the 1st and will begin enforcement from next month's 1st. All fishing activities, including dough balls and lures, are prohibited. Violators will be subject to fines of up to 3 million won.

From May 1st to June 30th, the city promoted environmental cleanup of Jinwi Stream and Anseong Stream. Illegal facilities such as fishing platforms and tents, illegal containers, and abandoned nets (fishing nets) were removed.

The city identified 35 fishing platforms (34 demolished, 1 citation issued) and 27 containers (2 demolished, 25 citations issued). The city plans to conduct on-site inspections once a week for illegal facilities, issue citations (2 times over 15 days) upon discovery, and proceed with forced demolition if not removed.

Starting next January, Jinwi and Anseong Streams will also be designated as fishing-prohibited zones.

Meanwhile, the city announced it has designated this year as the "inaugural year of creating Pyeongtaek free from illegal air lights" and is pursuing detailed plans with townships and districts.

Jeong Seung-won, Director of the City's Department of Urban Housing, explained: "Air lights can be installed as guides at event venues during cultural events, but their installation along roadsides for commercial purposes and advertising is illegal."

According to the city's comprehensive survey, the number of illegal air lights in the city as of end of May was approximately 1,200. After recommending voluntary removal through administrative guidance, the city plans to proceed with administrative enforcement removal if not complied with.