Threat of Development to the Bibi River, Lifeline of Ramsar Site 'Lake Utonai' – Wild Bird Society of Japan Submits Request to Tomakomai City to Withdraw 'Misawa District Land Use Policy'

The Bibi River, which flows into Lake Utonai, a Ramsar Convention wetland, is an important water source that can be considered its lifeline. The rich natural environment remaining around the river basin, such as wetlands and riparian forests, supports the habitats of many wild birds, including rare species (Red-crowned Crane, White-tailed Eagle, Chestnut-eared Bunting, etc.) and migratory birds like Whooper Swans and waterfowl. It is a crucial natural environment that must be protected internationally.

The area around the Bibi River has been maintained as an "urbanization control area," suppressing development and preserving the natural environment. However, there is currently an attempt at "deregulation" to make development possible.

The Wild Bird Society of Japan, which has long worked to conserve the natural environment of Lake Utonai and its surroundings, has submitted a request (Document 1) strongly urging Tomakomai City, which drafted the deregulation policy, to withdraw it.

Deregulation of Land Use and the Crisis of the Bibi River

Accompanying the interim review of the "Tomakomai Area City Planning: Policy for the Maintenance, Development, and Conservation of the City Planning Area" formulated by Hokkaido Prefecture, Tomakomai City has compiled the "(Tentative Name) Misawa District Land Use Policy" for the Misawa district, which includes the area around the Bibi River along National Route 36. Building construction has previously been restricted in the Misawa district, but this policy incorporates deregulation to allow the construction of semiconductor-related logistics warehouses and offices, triggered by the entry of a large-scale semiconductor factory in Chitose City. If this deregulation is approved, there is a high risk that the rich natural environment surrounding the Bibi River, which has been preserved until now, will be developed.

<Key Points of the Request> - Withdraw the land use policy including deregulation, as there is a risk of affecting rare birds and migratory birds inhabiting the Bibi River basin. - When considering the land use policy, implement a system that listens to the opinions of citizens and stakeholders, shares information, and includes natural environment experts in the council. - Adhere to the "Tomakomai City Regional Strategy for Biodiversity," which mandates the conservation of the Bibi River, as the land use policy contradicts this strategy.

This policy was approved after only one deliberation at the Tomakomai City Planning Council on January 21, 2026, without sufficient prior explanation to citizens or opportunities to hear their opinions. Since the authority over urbanization control areas generally lies with the Governor of Hokkaido, the matter is currently in the stage of entering Hokkaido's deliberation process. Hokkaido is accepting "public comments" on this matter from March 11 to April 10, 2026, and our society submitted ours on March 23.

The Wild Bird Society of Japan will continue to lobby relevant organizations for the conservation of the Bibi River.

About the Bibi River

The Bibi River is a major river flowing into Lake Utonai. It is a rare river in Japan that retains its pristine state, having never undergone river modification to straighten its path. Because of this meandering channel, differences in water flow speed and depth occur, allowing organisms such as fish and aquatic plants that prefer respective environments to live. Around the river are wetlands covered with reeds and riparian forests, providing vegetation and usage suitable for wild birds and mammals adapted to various environments, making it a place of extremely high biodiversity. It is also an important wintering and breeding ground for the Red-crowned Crane in the central Hokkaido region. The Bibi River, retaining its pristine river landscape, is also used for eco-tours such as canoe descents. The Bibi River is one of the important rivers that forms the Ramsar wetland Lake Utonai.