## (4) Environmental education on rivers

As natural spaces existing closely in the region, various activities such as environment learning and nature experiencing activities are being actively organized near rivers recently. In addition, while carrying out the promotion and information delivery of projects for children to learn and play safely by the riverside, it is also essential to let them know correct information on and the potential dangers of rivers for them to enjoy the activities safely. Therefore, cooperating with the “River Activities Council (RAC)” that was established mainly by citizens’ groups, river instructor training is being pushed forward. Moreover, in order to prevent water disasters caused by the rapid increase of water, measures for preventing water disasters are being worked out, with reference to the “Action Plan on Preventing Water Disasters caused by the Rapid Increase in Water Volume” formulated in FY 2007 and the report of the “Workgroup for Reviewing the Preventive Measures for medium and small-size rivers” summarized after the water disaster that happened in the Togagawa of Hyogo Prefecture in July 2008.

## ● Waterside Rediscovery Project for Children

Citizens’ group, education-related parties and river administrators are cooperating to register watersides for children and provide various forms of support in the Waterside Support Center for Children. As of March 2009, 282 spots are registered.

● Waterside schools for fun

In spots registered as watersides for children, riverbank development is being carried out for resolving the inclination of embankments and safely going close to the river. As of March 2010, 279 spots were registered.

● Investigation of organisms in rivers

Through investigating the organisms living in rivers and carrying out river water quality examinations, people are able to commune with the river nearby to raise concern over rivers. As of 2008, 75,938 people participated.

### 3. Development and Preservation of Marine and Coastal Environments

While protecting the coast from tidal waves, tsunamis and waves, it is also important to preserve the habitats and reproduction environments of organisms, while also taking into consideration the scenery and ensuring appropriate usage. Therefore, coastal development and preservation that have a balance between “protection”, “environment” and “usage” is being pushed forward. To be specific, in FY 2009, the eco-coast project is being implemented in 15 spots of the existing coast with ensured protective functionality for improving existing coastal preservation facilities while considering the effect on ecosystems, through the participation of local people.

As the problems of coastal functionality degradation due to floating waste (including from overseas), the deterioration of environments (including ecosystems) and scenery, and damage towards ship safety navigation assurance and the fishing industry, are growing increasingly serious, based on the “Act regarding the promotion of marine litter processing relating to the preservation of favorable scenery and coastal environments for protecting beautiful and abundant nature (Act for the Promotion of Marine Litter Processing and Future Measures)” released and executed in July 2009, close cooperation with the related institutions is being worked out from now on, and effective measures against floating waste are being pushed forward.

Moreover, in order to urgently handle the large-scale coastal floating waste that is a functional hindrance of coastal preserving facilities, the “project on emergency measures for handling large-scale floating woods related to disasters” is being pushed forward for the related parties of “numerous coasts” across wide areas to carry out unified and efficient handling of floating waste.

### 4. Greening of Harbor Administration

(1) Basic direction of the port environmental polity in the future

The ports of our country are bearing the responsibilities of being logistics spots, for industries and for life for now and the future. In order to realize sustainable development, degraded and lost natural environments are being restored even just a little and it is important to take the environment into consideration regarding all functionalities of ports. Therefore, the “Greening of Port Management” that adopts a close relationship between the preservation, regeneration and creation of environments and the development and usage of the ports are in progress. Moreover, in order to deal with the current global warming problem, the measures of greenhouse gas emissions reduction is being pushed forward in ports.

Making Harbor Administration Green