Hualien Mataian Creek Post-Disaster Reconstruction: Dual-Track Promotion of Land Purchase and Afforestation Subsidies
To reconstruct the disaster-stricken Mataian Creek in Hualien, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is pushing a dual-track approach offering land purchases at pre-disaster market prices or afforestation subsidies up to 600,000 NTD per hectare, aiming to boost ecological resilience.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 18:36
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 19:02 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 19:37 (35 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter: Li Hsien-feng, Hualien, 23rd) For the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction of the barrier lake at Mataian Creek in Hualien, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) held a briefing today on "Pre-disaster Land Market Value Assessment and Land Purchase." Focusing on land reconstruction plans in the severely affected areas, the initiative allows landowners to either sell their land or retain it for afforestation, strengthening disaster prevention resilience and ecological restoration.
The briefing was held at the auditorium of Hualien County's Guangfu Elementary School. In addition to FANCA under the Ministry of Agriculture, various agencies including the Irrigation Agency, Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, Agriculture and Food Agency, Agricultural Research Institute, and Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station participated. They explained issues of high concern to the public, such as land purchase procedures, appraisal methods, subsidy details, and future utilization planning.
FANCA stated that the barrier lake overflow caused by a typhoon last year left farmland in the Mataian Creek disaster area buried under more than 50 centimeters of sand and soil, severely impacting agricultural production. Reconstruction planning adopts a dual-track approach: "land purchase" and "afforestation subsidies." Respecting the intentions of landowners, they can choose to sell the land to the government or retain it to participate in the afforestation subsidy plan, balancing individual rights with overall environmental restoration.
Regarding land purchases, the "pre-disaster market price" will be the benchmark. Professional appraisal units will evaluate the land and fixtures, followed by the purchasing process and transfer of ownership. Once purchased, the government will conduct overall planning toward flood control, afforestation, and environmental improvement to enhance regional disaster resilience.
For private landowners who wish to retain ownership, the government will provide afforestation subsidies up to 600,000 NTD per hectare (250,000 NTD in the 1st year, 60,000 NTD annually from the 2nd to 6th years, plus an additional 50,000 NTD bonus in the 6th year depending on forest establishment status), creating environmental protection forests that balance land use and ecological restoration.
FANCA noted that they have commissioned the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute to conduct afforestation trials and monitoring research to establish demonstration plots. They will provide a "Technical Guideline for Afforestation on Salinized Disaster Farmland" to guide the public on techniques and suitable tree species. Considering the soil degradation in the disaster area, a "multi-layered forestry" approach will be used, using overstory trees to improve the soil microenvironment paired with understory and native shrubs to boost biodiversity, balancing landscaping, disaster prevention, dust suppression, and ecological balance.
FANCA emphasized that they will prioritize assisting willing landowners with the appraisal and purchase procedures, and continue communicating with the local community to gather opinions. Through public-private partnerships, they aim to drive the sustainable, safe, and resilient development of the Mataian Creek disaster area. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150423
The briefing was held at the auditorium of Hualien County's Guangfu Elementary School. In addition to FANCA under the Ministry of Agriculture, various agencies including the Irrigation Agency, Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, Agriculture and Food Agency, Agricultural Research Institute, and Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station participated. They explained issues of high concern to the public, such as land purchase procedures, appraisal methods, subsidy details, and future utilization planning.
FANCA stated that the barrier lake overflow caused by a typhoon last year left farmland in the Mataian Creek disaster area buried under more than 50 centimeters of sand and soil, severely impacting agricultural production. Reconstruction planning adopts a dual-track approach: "land purchase" and "afforestation subsidies." Respecting the intentions of landowners, they can choose to sell the land to the government or retain it to participate in the afforestation subsidy plan, balancing individual rights with overall environmental restoration.
Regarding land purchases, the "pre-disaster market price" will be the benchmark. Professional appraisal units will evaluate the land and fixtures, followed by the purchasing process and transfer of ownership. Once purchased, the government will conduct overall planning toward flood control, afforestation, and environmental improvement to enhance regional disaster resilience.
For private landowners who wish to retain ownership, the government will provide afforestation subsidies up to 600,000 NTD per hectare (250,000 NTD in the 1st year, 60,000 NTD annually from the 2nd to 6th years, plus an additional 50,000 NTD bonus in the 6th year depending on forest establishment status), creating environmental protection forests that balance land use and ecological restoration.
FANCA noted that they have commissioned the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute to conduct afforestation trials and monitoring research to establish demonstration plots. They will provide a "Technical Guideline for Afforestation on Salinized Disaster Farmland" to guide the public on techniques and suitable tree species. Considering the soil degradation in the disaster area, a "multi-layered forestry" approach will be used, using overstory trees to improve the soil microenvironment paired with understory and native shrubs to boost biodiversity, balancing landscaping, disaster prevention, dust suppression, and ecological balance.
FANCA emphasized that they will prioritize assisting willing landowners with the appraisal and purchase procedures, and continue communicating with the local community to gather opinions. Through public-private partnerships, they aim to drive the sustainable, safe, and resilient development of the Mataian Creek disaster area. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150423