The Natural Environment Conservation Act was amended (Act no. 15100; promulgated on November 28, 2017; to be enforced on May 29, 2018) to prescribe such matters as the biotope area ratio, compulsory preparation of urban ecological maps, grounds on which to implement urban ecological restoration projects, and improvements to the eco-interpreter system. Accordingly, this Amendment prescribes matters delegated by the Act and matters necessary for the enforcement thereof, while also aiming to address and improve upon a number of weaknesses that have emerged from the operation of the current system.

A. Lay the institutional groundwork including the calculation method of biotope area ratios (Article 2-2)

1) To enhance the ecological or natural cycle function of development zones, clarify the calculation method of biotope area ratios and, when necessary, allow the Minister of Environment to enable business entities to secure biotope area ratios.

B. Specify instructions on how to prepare urban ecological maps and where they are to be used (Article 16-2, Article 16-3)

1) In accordance with the compulsory preparation of urban ecological maps, a map prepared by the head of a local government shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment, and correction or supplementation may be requested upon non-submission or inadequate preparation.

2) An urban ecological map shall include topical maps on the present status of land utilization, present status of land coverage, topography, present status of vegetation, flora and fauna, etc., and a biotope type map and biotope assessment map.

3) An urban ecological map shall specify plans that are required to use the map, such as city plans and green space plans formulated by the heads of local governments and shall be made publicly available.

C. Prescribe the formulation of urban ecological restoration plans and other implementation procedures (Article 27-2, Article 27-3)

1)  Add areas where biodiversity and other ecological factors need to be enhanced, such as parks or green spaces within a city, to the scope of areas subject to urban ecological restoration.

2) When formulating an urban ecological restoration plan, local governments shall gather opinions from local residents and environmental offices and shall announce the content of the formulated plan.

3) Guidelines on such matters as restoration methods, implementation procedures, and maintenance may be prepared and utilized to ensure the efficient implementation of urban ecological restoration projects.

D. Designate institutions to train and educate eco-interpreters (Article 41-2, Article 41-3)

1) Prescribe matters that have been under operation only by notification in the Enforcement Rules, such as requiring institutions to train eco-interpreters every three years to maintain their expertise and to specify application documents for redesignation.

2) Prescribe training times for each topic of the refresher training course (attached Table 2-2).

E. Modifying the subsidy and refund system of the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation

1) To strengthen control over the intended use, etc., of subsidies funded through the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation granted to local governments, prescribe that reports shall be filed accompanied by evidence such as details on the administration of subsidies (Article 34-2).

2) Where an authorization, permission, etc., is modified through consultation on the amendment of a small-scale environmental impact assessment, the levying institution shall be notified based on the modified date of authorization/permission (Article 35).

3) The Amendment adds a “maintenance and monitoring plan” to applications for approval of a refund of the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation, and requires the submission of handover documents made with the competent local government when applying for a refund of the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation after completing a project, thereby promoting the effective implementation and maintenance of projects subject to the refund of the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation (Article 36).

F. Modifying other attached forms, etc.

1) Change the resident registration number field in the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation Levies and Collections Register to a date of birth field (attached Form 7).

2) The Amendment changes “구좌번호” in the Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation Refund Application Form to “계좌번호” (attached Form 10).

3) The Amendment adds the date of payment to the form of Cooperation Charge for Ecosystem Conservation Levies and Collections Performance Report(attached Form 20).

4) The Amendment modifies other terms and forms (attached Forms 10-2, 11, 12, 12-2, 14, 18, and 19)