하구역 종합관리시스템 구축에 관한 법제도 정비방안- 하구의 종합적･체계적 관리에 관한 법제도 정비를 위한 전략적 접근방식을 중심으로 -

Estuaries are the transitioning zones where river freshwater and marine saltwater mix to form a watershed, constantly affected by tides. They have special physical, chemical, and ecological characteristics, giving them high environmental and ecological conservation value as well as social, cultural, and economic value. Despite the significance, most of Korean main estuarine environments and ecosystems have been considerably destroyed, causing them to lose their natural function and characteristics, while still facing high developmental pressure. It is noted that this has been due to not only the fact that economic development centered use and indiscriminate development policy without considering the environmental and ecological conservation value, but also the lack of a management system that can systematically and effectively manage estuarine environments. Therefore, this article, considering the classification of estuaries and their characteristics, state and degree of destruction, management policy objectives and types of actions, existing legal systems and related legal provisions, case studies from overseas, etc., focuses on the strategic approaches to organize and present the following: ⅰ) basic direction and plan of strategic approach for the improvement of existing related legal system and provisions for protection and improvement of estuarine environments, and ⅱ) establishment of new laws for the integrated restoration and management system of estuarine environments.