Administrative questions

An article in the December 14 NHD incorrectly suggests a link between HHNK's position on extracting heat from wastewater and a study on the impact of aquathermy on microorganisms and other flora and fauna in the Broekpolder in Heemskerk. Where does that wastewater come from? Where is it purified? How clean is it? And does this water from the Broekpolder then flow through the ditches of the surrounding farms? (Elly Koning-Bruijn, December 21, 2023)

Has the process of draining watercourses and digging new ones elsewhere (the meter by meter scheme) been digitized? Does the support of digitization/datasteering add value to the VTH tasks of the meter by meter scheme? What does it take to digitize? Does this fit within the budget released in 2022 to work data-driven? Is it possible to deploy drones? Can HHNK use drones to scan where which watercourses have been filled or dug and can action be taken against this? Why is cultural history, nature/biodiversity and water quality not taken into account when granting permits? (Floris de Boer, December 12, 2023)

On November 24, 2023, a permit was granted for underdrainage behind Kwadijk. This concerns the Natura 2000 and peat meadow area Polder Zeevang. The permit talks about level deviation during "the winter months". Has HHNK been involved in the Natura 2000 management plan Zeevang? Has the required review of the Nature Conservation Act taken place? Who should check the Requirements from the management plan regarding the water level? Do you share the opinion that under drainage in peat meadow areas should be avoided as much as possible and that new under drainage is undesirable? Will you revoke the permit? (Fabian Son, December 5, 2023)

I read in the FD that new sewer connections are no longer a certainty in the future, especially for businesses in industrial parks. Is this picture true for future connections in our area? The same article also states that it is difficult to find contractors to maintain the sewage treatment plants. Is this picture also true for our treatment plants? What is the prioritization in the maintenance of the sewage treatment plants and to what extent are business areas taken into account?" (Sharon Hak, December 5, 2023)

A home in Callantsoog sustained water damage due to the recent heavy rainfall. The resident is experiencing frustration because the municipality of Schagen and HHNK are pointing at each other. However, he is not concerned with the question of blame, but mainly wants to know how such nuisance situations can be avoided in the future. Do you agree with us that HHNK and the municipality should speak with one mouth? Will you commit to improving communication and cooperation with municipalities in water nuisance situations? Can HHNK in Callantsoog contribute to the prevention of flood damage? (Frank Frowijn, November 15, 2023)

On Nov. 11, the NHD published a letter to the editor from a resident of Breezand, who blames the difficulties in discharging excess rainwater into the Wadden Sea on the way HHNK uses the Oostoever sluice. Did the letter writer contact HHNK before writing to the newspaper? Are the allegations true? If not, what is the issue? If so, is the policy being changed? Can you explain the allegations about winter levels and remote laptop control? (Fijko van der Laan, November 13, 2023)

Why is the AB unaware that Boskalis/Van Oord may no longer be able to replenish through 2030 at the Bergen and Schagen coast? What is the reason Boskalis/Van Oord can no longer replenish? Surely an agreement has been signed? Does this have consequences for safety, nature quality, recreational facilities? Will stakeholders be involved? (Saskia Borgers, November 1, 2023)

A dense green, smelly layer floated in many of Den Helder's city waters during the summer. Was this blue-green algae? Is the current situation a problem for good water quality and public health? How are the tasks and responsibilities divided between the municipality and HHNK? Are there possibilities to reduce or eliminate the blue-green algae in the city water through better water flow - or in other ways? (Arie Lap, October 19, 2023)

We have seen an amendment to a permit that allows for the attenuation of some watercourses in the Drieban. Will this improve water quality? What will the ditches be filled in with? The soil in the Drieban contains pesticides. Have other factors such as nature development, ecological quality and support in the area been taken into account? Where in the Drieban and our total management area have watercourses been filled in the past four years for the purpose of plot expansion? Has the WFD been taken into account when assessing these applications? Does attenuation lead to a reduction in the number of meters of buffer zone? (Water and Nature Group, September 28, 2023)

When do we issue permits for discharge to surface water and when does the province do so? Are all requirements of the WFD already incorporated into HHNK policy? What policy have you adopted on the granting of permits for substances of very high concern (vzs) and their measurement? How many permits have been issued in the past five years? And how many permits (retroactively) have exceeded the risk limits for PFAS? Is there a nationally searchable database for discharge permits issued? Do you agree with the Rli's comment that every effort must be made to meet the WFD targets by 2027? How will you realize sufficient physical space for drinking water extraction? (Fabian Zoon, September 27, 2023)

At the September 6 committee meeting, some CHI members who use the Agriculture Portal were weighing in on that same Agriculture Portal. How do you view decision-making by an individual CHI member on an issue that that particular member uses? Do you think the board should avoid (the appearance of) conflicts of interest at all times? Did this happen enough at this meeting? Are there ground rules and/or protocols around reporting (suspected) integrity issues? Shouldn't this topic also be included in the induction program for a new board? (Floris de Boer, Sept. 10, 2023)

'Follow the Money' published an investigation showing that farmers have received millions in EU agricultural subsidies for land they do not lease or own at all. The Ministry of Agriculture is calling on landowners to claim the rights to their property so that the plots cannot be claimed for agricultural subsidies undetected and unfairly. Are you heeding this call? Is there adequate assurance that our land (to the extent not leased or given in use) cannot be used for this kind of fraud?" (Aukelien Jellema, August 8, 2023)

Did storm Poly cause damage to our properties? If so, to which ones? Is the damage already being repaired or cleaned up? Does the damage have safety implications in the area? What are the financial consequences? (Elly Koning-Bruijn, July 27, 2023)

Follow the Money recently wrote in an article that water boards, including HHNK, are helping farmers obtain more European subsidies. Is that correct? When did the CHI decide to do this? Isn't making these government assets available contrary to the spirit of the European Common Agricultural Policy? How do you (or any other agency) investigate whether the farmer is actually contributing to the development of biodiversity and water quality? How many farmers take advantage of this opportunity? And how much subsidy is involved in total? (Floris de Boer, June 29, 2023)

In what way did this arrangement come about within HHNK? Has there been contact with the province and LNV? Do participating farmers pay compensation to HHNK for this? Do you see making our landscape elements available for the eco-scheme as a goat's trail in the subsidy scheme? How does making our landscape elements available help the goal of creating more organic acreage? (Fabian Son, July 5, 2023)

The date of the quick scan is June 16, 2023. What are the changes and adjustments between the earlier version and the June 16 version? Would you like to put the quick scan on the agenda for the next committee meeting after the recess? Can we then engage with the writers/researchers/consultants of this scan? In the triage report, you indicate that there is no reason to adjust HHNK's policy and working method with respect to the WFD. What is your reasoning for this? What was the response of the province? And what consequences do you attach to this? (Floris de Boer, July 3, 2023)

NAM wants to accelerate and increase gas extraction in Middelie. PvdD shares the concerns of the water board, other regional authorities and residents. Is HHNK running a financial risk due to additional subsidence? What are the risks to our hydraulic works? Do you consider it HHNK's task to organize accurate damage control? How does the extra gas production in our area relate to our climate policy? Do you share our concerns and would you, possibly together with the province and the municipalities involved, urge the State Secretary not to approve the extraction plan? (Fabian Zoon, June 22, 2023)

In February, the General Board decided to implement the recommendations of the Court of Audit's report Connected Parties. Appendix B states that each supervisory arrangement will include a policy and financial check of these parties' budgets and financial statements. Why was the draft 2024 budget of the Sludge Processing Joint Arrangement not forwarded, with comments, to the Administration & Resources Committee? (Leo Dickhoff, June 8, 2023)

Does the policy rule "for safety, we mow 1.5m from the road" also apply to free-standing bike lanes? If so, is it possible to reconsider this policy, and keep a narrower mowing strip? If this is not possible all year, perhaps in the breeding season? How do we avoid mowing more area than necessary for safety? (Fijko van der Laan and Sandra Schreuder, May 30, 2023)

There are water boards that reward buffer strips/bee ribbons along watercourses under the Delta Plan for Agricultural Water Management (DAW). Does HHNK do the same? If not, why not? If so, how can entrepreneurs/farmers qualify for this? (Elly Koning-Bruijn, May 23, 2023)

There is concern in our constituency about the reorganization and further automation of the work of the district managers (area managers). Are savings in progress and how much money is involved? Will area managers be laid off, disappear through attrition or be placed elsewhere in the organization? What does this mean for responsiveness to future emergencies? (Theo Kwakman, May 9, 2023)

How will you address the concerns of Witteveen & Bos and Natuurmonumenten regarding water quality? What consequences will this have on the draft college work program? And for the residents? What measures will you take to minimize risks and avoid European fines? (Water & Nature Group, April 19, 2023)

The Province of North Holland has adopted draft management plans for four natural areas in the peat meadow area for the management period 2023-2029. The measures described in them do not comply with the assignment to let "Water and Soil be guiding" in policy and implementation. What was HNK's role in the creation of these plans? The RLI mentions a level of 20 cm as the optimum for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the peat meadow area. When will this standard be adopted in level decisions? Do you intend to submit a view that these plans must comply with the objectives to combat subsidence, meet the Water Framework Directive in 2027 and comply with climate agreements? What role do you see for HHNK in tightening up the plans? (Fabian Zoon, March 29, 2023)

We read your second letter to Minister Jetten. The minister did not respond to the first letter. What is the follow-up now? Is it conceivable that you will send an invoice, followed in case of non-payment by a reminder with the announcement that in case of non-payment the claim will be taken out of the minister's hands and that costs will also be for the minister, and then a bailiff and then the subdistrict court? (Peter Vonk, March 9, 2023)

Is it true that particularly around the areas reserved for bulb cultivation, the ditches are dry? Are there risks associated with this in the form of a possible more rapid increase in saltwater seepage? Could there be conflicting regulations here (Jacob Avis, March 6, 2023)?

The water quality in nature reserves in our management area, such as the Zwanenwater and the Dunes of Texel, is insufficient in several places. The influence of water bird droppings on the water quality can be considerable, but is hardly mentioned in official documents of HHNK. At which places in these Natura 2000 areas is the water measured? How many waterbirds have been staying there for the last 30 years? What are the measurement data of the last 30 years? Can you indicate for these nature areas what percentage of the exceeded substances you attribute to the waterbirds, and which to agriculture? (Arie Lap, February 28, 2023)

In 2022, HHNK included_{CO2 pricing} as an award criterion in one tender. Was this a one-time event? If not, in which cases will you apply this criterion? What price do you use for_CO2? The Union indicates in the guide a range of €100-140 per ton of_CO2, with the upper limit recommended for "water boards with relatively more ambition." Would you keep us informed about this? In how many tenders will you have applied the social return criterion by 2022? How do you weigh which tenders you do this in? Sometimes a tender may include both social return and internal_{carbon pricing} as award criteria. How do these two Requirements compare in the awarding process? (Fijko van der Laan, Jan. 24, 2023)

With major new developments in our area, are maximum consideration being given to limiting water use? The Pallas Reactor in Petten will use surface water as cooling water, which will then be discharged into the sea. How much water is involved? Will this water also be made available by HHNK in the event of a water shortage? During the preparations, was consideration given to drawing cooling water from the North Sea? (Evelien van Roijen, January 10, 2023)