• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.847-853
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• 2007

In Korean coastal areas, land reclamations are main development projects that should be based on environmental impact assessment(EIA), because those human interventions can change coastlines, damage tidal flats, and pollute adjacent areas to threat seafood safety and devaluate overall ecosystem service value. Existing procedures of the EIA for land reclamation projects were diagnosed and evaluated to enhance them. Problems were identified in the designation of survey areas, the consistency in survey sites and periods, the standardization of survey methods and reports, the confidence of survey results and the verification of predictions. Lack of integration was noticeable and could be improved by synthesizing different assessments from topography geography, marine physics, marine chemistry and marine biology. We suggest that successful precautionary marine environment management requires readjusting the cost of EIA, recruiting experts in marine environment, constructing database and establishing specialized assessment system.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2012

We diagnosed on status and problems of environmental assessment regarding development of offshore wind power, and also on reasonable core assessment items. Most of the coastal wind power are located on the western coastline of Korea and Jeju Island. In the selections of the site for the offshore wind farms, a previous investigations should be conducted with regard to distances from the land, stabilities from external forces (tide, wave, etc.) and topographical changes, and characteristics of the surroundings (distributions of protected area, fishing ground, artificial seagrasses, and shipping traffic). It is needed to assess dispersion of suspended solids, changes of the sea bottom, and impacts on fisheries resources and fishing activities under construction of offshore wind power. Furthermore, the responses of marine organisms to noise and vibration, impacts by electromagnetic fields, impacts on sea birds, hindrances to sea lane routes, and damaged scenery and marine protection areas are thoroughly assessed during operation processes. The consultation criteria in case of development of offshore wind farm is adjusted by focusing marine environmental impact assessment.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.131-141
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• 2009

We studied improvement in marine environmental impact assessment and related management systems of coastal sediments that are dredged inshore but disposed offshore. After reviewing and diagnosing the existing assessment procedures and problems, we recommend to design the core assessment items and improve the reliability of assessment byenhancing the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and verification processes. We proposed eco-friendly disposal plan for dredging sediment such as reuse system in land development was explored. A marine environmental database system was established to support the assessment processes. Guidelines for marine research and modelling were proposed for improving assessment of dredging and disposal of coastal sediment. Also, applying of screening and scoping for marine environmental assessment was reviewed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.341-350
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• 2021

The energy production of offshore wind farms plays an important role in expanding renewable energy. However, the development of offshore wind farms faces many challenges due to its incompatibility with marine environments and its social acceptability among the local community. In this study, we reviewed the marine environmental impact assessment status of offshore wind farm development projects for 2012-2019 in South Korea. A total of nine projects were selected for this study, all of which experienced considerable conflict with local fisheries resources. To appropriately respond to the underlying challenges faced by offshore wind farm development and in order to better support decision-making for future impact assessment, our findings identified: i) a need for adequate preliminary investigation and technical examination of fisheries resources; ii) a need to assess and estimate the impact of underwater noise, vibration, and electromagnetic waves on fisheries resources during wind farm construction and operation; and iii) a need for a bottom-up approach that allows for communication with local stakeholders and policy-makers to guarantee the local acceptability of the development.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2015

This study reviewed the type of the project and developmental plan related to ocean energy development in the coastal land boundaries and the ocean, and suggested the efficient scoping method through the diagnosis of the key items of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the coastal area. The major projects are the construction of tidal power plant, tidal current power plant, and offshore wind power plant in the public water, and also those are the construction of solar power plants in the coastal land boundaries. While the project plans on a large scale such as the construction of tidal power plant, it is important to consider both property of usefulness of the designated areas and harmony analysis with marine space availability based on the adequacy of the site selection and relevance of plan with the master plan for reclamation and strategic environmental assessment (SEA). And also it needs to be considered the careful checkup on the EIA checklist referring to the type of project, effective post-monitoring, and suggestion of mitigating methods to minimize the environmental impacts during the stage of actual environmental impact assessment. Introduction of a system of integrated marine environmental impact assessment should be considered for reasonable and effective manage to developmental projects on the marine spatial area.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.453-464
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• 2010

We evaluated the status and problems of golf course developments in the southern coast of Korea. It's adjacent waters supports nursery and fishing grounds for commercially-important fisheries species, and various sites are designated and protected as marine protection area(MPA), fisheries reserve, or clean area(blue belt) for producing shellfish. We proposed key assessment items for environmental impact assessment(EIA) and checklists in selecting golf course locations. For the protected areas, we suggest that it is essential to limit golf course establishment while setting a minimal distance from the coast to secure a buffer zone for mitigating the environmental impacts. To efficiently utilize existing regional coastal management plans, it is necessary to diagnose how a golf course development will potentially modify geomorphology and scenery, amplify pollutant loads from non-point sources, and disrupt the functions of coastal ecosystem. Especially, continued monitoring and assesssing input loads of hazardous materials originating from agricultural chemicals should be obligatory. Finally, measures for improving the QA/QC analysis were discussed to enhance reliability of environmental data with respect to golf courses and adjacent coastal waters.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2009

This study documented and diagnosed the status and problems of coastal dredging and offshore disposal of dredged sediments in South Korea to improve assessment procedures for marine environmental impacts and develop effective management systems. A total of $729({\times}10^6)m^3$ of coastal sediment was dredged in the harbors during the period of 2001-2008. Most of dredged sediment was disposed to the land dumping sites whereas ocean disposal accounted for less than 5%. Ocean disposal areas were especially concentrated to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southeast of Busan, which is not only an important fishing area for fishermen, but also considered to be spawning and nursery ground for some commercial fish species. To minimize negative impacts of dredging and ocean disposal of coastal sediment on marine ecosystem and potential strife among coastal users, we suggest 1) in development projects involving ocean disposal, it should be mandatory to propose careful reuse plans in the land, and 2) guidelines of environmental assessment and consequence management programs should be developed and implemented.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2008

This study investigated the status and problems of marine-related environmental impact assessment and a utilization-consultation system in Korea and suggested improvement of the review organization. Also, it conducted SWOT analysis based on evaluation of functions, roles and performance of the marine environmental impact assessment center and proposed development strategies of the center through introduction of expert opinions and advanced systems. The performance statement-review by the center in 2007 included 358 cases in total; 165 (46.1%) for consultation on utilization of sea area, 104 for environmental impact assessment (29.0%), and 89 (24.9%) for prior environmental review. The consultation on utilization of sea area can be divided into that for public water surface-use (41%) and reclamation (32%), and sea aggregate extraction process (21%). Although bad impacts on marine environment are reducing under the current system, there are some limits and problems to supplement it in terms of content, system and operation. Review system on sea area utilization-impact(marine environmental impact assessment center) by marine environmental management law needs to obtain expertise, fairness and efficiency and, to do so, have operational supports and institutional improvement to maximize its own functions and roles. At the same time, it is necessary for the center to establish identity and the status as a professional review organization by setting active development strategies inside the center. Finally, it should strengthen an consultation system of marine environmental impact assessment led by the related ministry to achieve effective coastal management.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.335-345
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• 2010

This paper assessed environmental impacts of marine sand mining on coastal areas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Korea, and diagnosed problems of the related assessment statements for suggesting key assessment items (scoping) and system improvement. To mitigate conflicts and environmental impacts caused by large-scale, concentrated sand mining, we suggest it is critical to promote sustainable and eco-friendly utilization of marine resources while listening opinions from various stakeholders and analyzing alternative plans. Especially, it should be mandatory as a scoping item to provide verifiable data on the amount of sand, potential and accumulative impacts by mining, and key assessment items (e.g. erosion and sedimentation by submarine topography, benthic change, spreading of suspended solids, water pollution, grain-size change, and impact on fisheries resources). We also suggest that postassessment and monitoring should be improved to enable tracking of environmental impacts caused by sand mining through seasonal monitoring together with intermittent short-term surveys. In addition, effective measures to mitigate the impacts is also essential. As repeated sand mining at large-scale can damage marine ecosystems by long-term accumulated impacts, we suggest that assessment systems and regulatory policies should be developed and established, especially for ensuring reliability of assessment and review on selected major sandmining projects.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2008

This study presented politic proposals and diverse utilization-type in coastal areas by analyzing results of reviewed related-statements of marine environment during the one year period of 2007 by Marine Environmental Impact Assessment Center. Total of 358 cases were reviewed, which was a significant increase from 270 in 2006. Consultation on the utilization of sea areas (CUSA) accounted for the largest number of 165 (46.1%) and it was followed by 104 cases of environmental impact assessment (EIA) (29.0%) and 89 cases of prior environmental review (PER) (24.9%). As such, evaluation statements (EIA+PER) related to consultations of the Ministry of Environment accounted for approximately 54% of the entire cases reviewed. To analyze the overall results of reviewing marine-related evaluation statements, utilization and planning were conducted by 47.9%, 38.4% and 13.7% in the South Sea, West Sea and East Sea of Korea, respectively. In evaluation statements (EIA+PER), port construction, industrial complex construction, urban management plan and road construction took up most of the part by 40.9%, 20.2%, 10.4% and 7.3%, respectively. In terms of CUSA-statement, it was evaluated that consultations were mostly carried out on use and reclamation of public water surface in coastal areas and on sea aggregate extraction process in EEZ. The largest number of plans for coastal use were established for Jeollanam-do, followed by Gyeongsangnam-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeonggi-do. In particular, development plans were concentrated on Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do with stable marine environment and outstanding view of the nature. In most cases, these regions are adjacent to the areas designated as a sea area for environmental management and fisheries resources protection zone. Therefore, conflicts exist between development and preservation. Also, rather than random development, more detailed marine environmental impact assessment, gathering of public opinions and politic harmony are essentially required. For efficient coastal management and environmentally sound and sustainable development, fulfilling consistent and transparent coastal policies as well as active and reliable decision making to center on coastal environment by management bodies will be important.