3rd Southeast Asia Water Forum

October 2007

Contents

Monitoring of Key Functionsin River Environment Restoration

Akira WADA
Researcher, Technical Coordination and Cooperation Division

 I.

Roles and activities of Foundation for Riverfront
Improvement and Restoration (RFC) II.

History of river environment restoration in Japan

 III.

Important factors for river environment restoration

 IV.

Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network (ARRN)

 V.

Conclusions

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration,
JAPAN

Roles and activities of Foundation forRiverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)
Established in 1987 by River Bureau and City Bureau in Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transportation (MLIT).
 Roles :・To promote research, develop technologies
・To spread out its achievementwith regard to riverfront improvement,improvement utilization and conservation
 Major activities:

History of river environment restoration in Japan
Example (1)Sumida River, Tokyo, JAPAN

Navigation in River

Nature-Oriented River Works

After (now)Popularizing Technologyand Publication

Before (70’s-80’s)

Restoring to Natural Rivers

History of river environment restoration in Japan
Example (2)Tama River, Tokyo, JAPANHistory of river environment restoration in Japan

Example (3)Kama River, Utsunomiya, JAPANAfter (now)Before (70’s)

Asian River Restoration Network

After (now)Before (70’s-80’s)

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History of river environment restoration in Japan

Example (4)Batch River, Kitakyushu, JAPANBefore (80’s)

After (now)History of river environment restoration in JapanHistorical solution for river environment restoration

History of river environment restoration in Japan

Year

Transition of policy or events for river environment
Items

Contents

1958

Beginning of survey of water quality

Improvement for watercontamination

1965

Establishment of procedures ofoccupancy of the river zone

Ensuring of open spaces

1981

Establishment of general plans for rivers
Improvement of hydrophilic nature
and watersheds environment management

1987

Establishment of the Foundation forRiverfront Improvement and Restoration

Riverfront improvement,
preservation, research

1990

Beginning of Nature-Oriented River work

Focusing on ecosystems

1995

National Biodiversity Strategy has started

Focusing on biodiversity

1997

Amendment to River Law (establishmentof basic policy for river improvement andriver improvement)

Concern about environment issue

2002

Natural Restoration Project has started

Requesting of nature regeneration

2003

Natural Restoration LowConcern about natural restoration

2006

Establishment of Asia River Restoration
Network (ARRN)

Sharing of experiences andknowledge

Important factors for river environment restoration
Three Basic Environmental Functions of Rivers

Continuous survey of water quality
Developing sewerage systems and WTP
 Promotion of accessibility between rivers and urban
 Implementing nature oriented river work Regeneration project of nature Improvement of relationship between river and human,community and nature Developing national and international network for riverrestoration to share experiences and knowledge

1) Disturbance→Fundamental function of river-flow to preserve
natural environment of rivers.
→Variation of flow discharge→Erosion, transportation and sedimentation of riverbed-materials,
suspended solid and wash loads
2) Continuity→Flow→Sediment→Materials (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Silica, Fe, etc.)→Migratory fish3) Diversity of Riverbed Configuration→shallow, pools, meandering, depth, velocity, riffle,
flat shallow, sand ripples, dune

Important factors for river environment restoration

Important factors for river environment restoration

Nature-Oriented River Works (from 1990 in Japan)

Nature-Oriented River Works is crucial approach topreserve three basic functions and conserve and restore
beautiful natural environments for human life.
1) Preserve diversity of river configuration
2) Preserve the continuity
3) Preserve habitats, especially for species particular to riverenvironment(e.g. suitable area for some plants grown in highly disturbedarea)
4) Preserve hydrological cycle(Do not affect gushing spring and underground water flow)5) Communicating and consulting with local residents and NPO

Asian River Restoration Network

Definition of "Nature-Oriented River Works “"Nature-oriented river management" refers toriver management performed with the aim ofconserving or creating natural river habitats anddiverse river landscape, taking natural river
system processes into account and giving
consideration to harmony with community lifeand local history and culture.

2

3rd Southeast Asia Water Forum

Important factors for river environment restoration
Survey and monitoring for Nature-Oriented River Works

National Census of River Environment

October 2007

Important factors for river environment restoration
Survey and monitoring for Nature-Oriented River Works

River Environment Map

Information on habitat of biota andsurrounding environment issystematically surveyed every 5year as “National Census of RiverEnvironment”.
Environment
1) Location:
109 rivers administrated by MLIT
2) Frequency: every 5-year from 1990,
3) Items- Fishes and shellfishes,- Benthos, Plants, Birds- Amphibians, Reptiles, and Mammals- Land insects- General material- Use of open spaceetc.

Important factors for river environment restoration
Other factors

1) Communicating and consulting with local residents and NPO in
the planning stage
2) Modifying river management plan whenever the monitoring
results indicate different response
3) Promoting environmental education for children and adults4) Basic research of river environments, especially relations
between index species and physical conditions of rivers
5) Developing local community, national and international network
for river restoration to share and exchange experiences andknowledge
etc.

Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN)
BackgroundRiver restoration is a new technology: Compared withflood control and water utilization
 Applicable technologies : Required to accumulate
experiences and knowledge Asia Monsoon region has specific characteristics
Huge seasonal changes of rainfall
Growth of rice cultivation on river plains
 Various organisms in paddy fields
 Rapid concentration of the population into urban areasIntroduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN)

Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN)

 Establishment of ARRN

 Establishment of ARRN

Why is network for river and waterfront
focusing on Asia are necessary?
Discussion between countries in similar geological andmeteorological condition will provide more improved
technology for rich river environment restoration
Dr. H．S．Woo (Korea）, Dr. W．K．Liao（China）, Dr．Takemura （Japan）

ARRN (Asian River Restoration Network)
was established in November 2006.

Asian River Restoration Network

International Forum on Waterfront andWatershed Restoration

Establishment Ceremony and International Forum on Waterfront
and Watershed Restoration in Tokyo, JAPAN (November 2006)

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Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN)

Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN) Outline of ARRN Activities

 Organization Chart

Public relations• Activities involving exchanging and sharing information through thenewsletter and on the web-site
Technological support• To hold workshops, forums with a view to sharing latest waterfront
environment improvement projects• To draw up or revise guidelines for the restoration• To dispatch lecturers mutually on participating countries
Research and studies• To conduct joint studies to be undertaken by participating countries• Support the provision of information with a view to studies
Publication• To translate and publish books on the restoration of rivers andwatershed

Asian River Restoration Network (ARRN)

Governing Council

Secretariat
Chairman

China

Korea

China RRN

IWHRIndividuals

JapanKorea RRN

KICTSecretaryy General
Other Regions& Countries

Individuals

Japan RRNRFCIndividuals
Organizations

Organizations

Organizations

SecretariatOrganization

etc.

Individuals

Organizations

Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN) ARRN Website ( http://www.a-rr.net )Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN) JRRN Website ( http://www.a-rr.net/jp/ )Introduction of Asian River Restoration Network(ARRN)

Conclusion
The followings should be emphasized to succeed in promoting riverenvironment restoration.

 Progress and Future Activities of ARRN

Updating and expansion of the Website
Development of Data-Base: Projects, Researchers,
Engineers through Website
 Editingd gaandd pubpublication
ca o oof Rivere Restoration
es o a o Gu
Guidede linee
 Organization of International forums and small-scaleinternational forums
 Activities related to network formation in domestic working
groups Publication of the results of international forums
 Improving communication by means of newsletters, etcConducting continuous monitoring and research of physicaland ecological factors over long period, documenting thewhole process and results, and sharing them among
relevant people are necessary.
necessary

Nature-Oriented River Works is crucial approach to achieve
harmony with good water environment.

Discussion between Asian countries in similar geologicaland meteorological condition will provide more improved
technology for rich river environment restoration.

Asian River Restoration Network4

3rd Southeast Asia Water Forum

October 2007

Th k you ffor your ki
Thankkindd attention.
tt ti

Photo: Shinichi Yoshimura

Asian River Restoration Network5