Administrative questions

An article in the NHD newspaper on December 14 wrongly suggests a link between HHNK's position on extracting heat from wastewater and a study into the impact of aquathermal energy on microorganisms and other flora and fauna in the Broekpolder in Heemskerk. Where does that wastewater come from? Where is it treated? 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 filling in waterways and digging new ones elsewhere (the metre ) been digitized? Does support for digitization/data management add value to the VTH tasks of the metre ? What is needed to digitize? Does this fit within the budget that has been set aside in 2022 for data-driven working? Is it possible to use drones? Can HHNK use drones to scan where watercourses have been filled in or dug and can action be taken against this? Why are 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 licence was licence for drainage behind Kwadijk. This concerns the Natura 2000 and peat meadow area Polder Zeevang. The licence to water level deviation during "the winter months." Was HHNK involved in the Natura 2000 management plan for Zeevang? Has the required assessment under the Nature Conservation Act been carried out? Who is responsible for monitoring the conditions in the management plan with regard to the water level? Do you agree that sub-drainage in peat meadow areas should be avoided as much as possible and that new sub-drainage is undesirable? Will you licence the licence ? (Fabian Zoon, December 5, 2023)

I read in the FD that new connections to the sewer system are no longer a certainty in the future, particularly for businesses in industrial parks. Does this picture also apply to future connections in our area? The same article also states that it is difficult to find contractors to maintain the wastewater treatment plants. Is this also true for our treatment plants? How are priorities set for the maintenance of wastewater treatment plants and to what extent are industrial estates taken into account? (Sharon Hak, December 5, 2023)

A house in Callantsoog suffered water damage due to recent heavy rainfall. The resident is frustrated because the municipality of Schagen and HHNK are pointing fingers at each other. However, he is not concerned with who is to 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 voice? Are you committed to improving communication and cooperation with municipalities in the event of flooding? Can HHNK in Callantsoog contribute to preventing damage caused by flooding? (Frank Frowijn, November 15, 2023)

On November 11, the NHD published a letter to the editor from a resident of Breezand, who attributes the difficulties in discharging excess rainwater into the Wadden Sea to the way in which HHNK uses the Oostoever sluice. Did the letter writer contact HHNK before writing to the newspaper? Are the claims accurate? If not, what is actually going on? If so, will the policy be adjusted? Can you explain the claims about winter gauges and remote operation via laptop? (Fijko van der Laan, November 13, 2023)

Why is the AB not aware of the possibility that Boskalis/Van Oord will no longer be able to carry out beach nourishment along the coast of Bergen and Schagen until 2030? What is the reason that Boskalis/Van Oord can no longer carry out beach nourishment? Wasn't an agreement signed? Will this have consequences for safety, nature quality, and recreational facilities? Will the stakeholders be involved in this? (Saskia Borgers, November 1, 2023)

During the summer, a thick green, foul-smelling layer floated on much of Den Helder's urban water. Was this blue-green algae? Does the current situation pose a problem for good water quality and public health? How are the tasks and responsibilities divided between the municipality and HHNK? Are there ways to reduce or eliminate the blue-green algae in the city's waterways through improved water flow or other means?  (Arie Lap, October 19, 2023)

We have noticed a change to a licence allows a number of watercourses in the Drieban to be filled in. Will this lead to an improvement in water quality? What will be used to fill in the ditches? The soil in the Drieban contains crop protection products. Have other factors such as nature development, ecological quality, and local support been taken into account? Where in the Drieban and our total management area have watercourses been filled in over the past four years for the purpose of enlarging plots? Has the WFD been taken into account in the assessment of these applications? Will filling in the watercourses lead to a reduction in the number of meters of buffer zone? (Water and Nature Party, September 28, 2023)

When do we grant permits for discharge into surface water and when does the province do so? Have all the requirements of the WFD already been incorporated into HHNK policy? What policy have you adopted regarding the granting of permits for substances of very high concern (SVHC) and the measurement thereof? How many permits have been issued for this in the past five years? And how many permits (with retroactive effect) have been issued where the risk limits for PFAS have been exceeded? Is there a searchable database maintained by the national government for discharge permits that have been issued? Do you agree with the Rli's comment that every effort must be made to achieve the WFD targets by 2027? How will you ensure sufficient physical space for drinking water extraction? (Fabian Zoon, September 27, 2023)

At the committee meeting on September 6, some CHI members who use the Agriculture Portal participated in the discussion about that same Agriculture Portal. How do you view decision-making by an individual CHI member on a subject that that specific member uses? Do you believe that the board should prevent (the appearance of) conflicts of interest at all times? Was this sufficiently addressed during this meeting? Are there rules and/or protocols for reporting (suspected) integrity issues? Should this topic also be included in the induction program for a new board? (Floris de Boer, September 10, 2023)

Follow the Money published an investigation revealing that farmers have received millions in EU agricultural subsidies for land that they do not lease or own. The Department of Agriculture is calling on landowners to claim their rights to their property so that the plots cannot be claimed for agricultural subsidies without their knowledge and without justification. Will you respond to this call? Is there sufficient assurance that our land (insofar as it is not leased or in use) cannot be used for this type of fraud? (Aukelien Jellema, August 8, 2023)

Did Storm Poly cause damage to our properties? If so, which ones? Has the damage already been repaired or cleared up? Does the damage have any consequences for safety 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 to 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 another authority) investigate whether farmers are actually contributing to the development of biodiversity and water quality? How many farmers are taking advantage of this opportunity? And how much subsidy is involved in total? (Floris de Boer, June 29, 2023)

How was this scheme established within HHNK? Was there any contact with the province and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality? Do the participating farmers pay a fee to HHNK for this? Do you see making our landscape elements available for the eco-scheme as a loophole in the subsidy scheme? How does making our landscape elements available help to achieve the goal of creating more organic acreage? (Fabian Zoon, July 5, 2023)

The date of the quick scan is June 16, 2023. What are the changes and adjustments between the previous 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 enter into discussions with the authors/researchers/advisors of this scan? In the trial report, you indicate that there is no reason to adjust HHNK's policy and working method with regard to the WFD. What is your reasoning for this? What was the province's response? And what consequences do you attach to this? (Floris de Boer, July 3, 2023)

The NAM wants to accelerate and increase gas extraction in Middelie. The Party for the Animals shares the concerns of the water board, other regional authorities, and residents. Does HHNK run a financial risk due to additional soil subsidence? What risks do our hydraulic engineering works face? Do you believe it is HHNK's responsibility to organize accurate damage compensation? How does the additional gas extraction 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 from the Court of Audit report on affiliated parties. Appendix B states that each supervisory arrangement must include a policy and financial check of the budget and annual accounts of these parties. Why was the draft budget for 2024 of the joint arrangement for sludge processing not forwarded, with comments, to the Administration & Resources Committee? (Leo Dickhoff, June 8, 2023)

Does the policy rule 'for safety reasons, we mow 1.5 meters from the road' also apply to separate bicycle paths? If so, is it possible to reconsider this policy and maintain a narrower mowing strip? If this is not possible throughout the year, perhaps it could be done during the breeding season? How can we prevent more area being mowed than is necessary for safety reasons? (Fijko van der Laan and Sandra Schreuder, May 30, 2023)

Some water boards reward buffer strips/bee ribbons along watercourses as part of 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)

Our supporters are concerned about the reorganization and further automation of the work of district managers (area managers). Are savings being made, and if so, how much money is involved? Will district managers be laid off, will they disappear through attrition, or will they be placed elsewhere in the organization? What does this mean for the response time in 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 for the draft municipal work program? And for residents? What measures will you take to minimize risks and avoid European fines? (Water & Nature Party, April 19, 2023)

The Province of North Holland has adopted draft management plans for four nature reserves in the peat meadow area for the management period 2023-2029. The measures described in these plans do not comply with the requirement to make policy and implementation 'water and soil-driven'. What role did HNK play in the development of these plans? The RLI cites a water level of 20 cm as the optimum for reducing greenhouse gases in the peat meadow area. When will this standard be incorporated into water level decisions? Do you intend to submit an opinion that these plans must meet the objectives of preventing soil subsidence, achieving the Water Framework Directive in 2027, and complying with climate agreements? What role do you see for HHNK in tightening up the plans? (Fabian Zoon, March 29, 2023)

We have read your second letter to Minister Jetten. The minister has not responded to the first letter. What is the next step? Is it conceivable that you will send an invoice, followed by a reminder in the event of non-payment, announcing that the claim will be handed over to a collection agency and that the costs thereof will also be borne by the minister, and then a bailiff and subsequently the subdistrict court? (Peter Vonk, March 9, 2023)

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

The water quality in nature reserves in our management area, such as Zwanenwater and the Dunes of Texel, is inadequate in several places. The impact of waterbird droppings on water quality can be significant, but is hardly mentioned, if at all, in official HHNK documents. Where in these Natura 2000 areas is the water measured? How many water birds have been present over the last 30 years? What are the measurement data for the last 30 years? Can you indicate for these nature reserves what percentage of the exceeded substances you attribute to water birds and what percentage to agriculture? (Arie Lap, February 28, 2023)

In 2022, HHNK included_{CO2 pricing} as an award criterion in one tender. Was this a one-off? If not, in which cases will you apply this criterion? What price do you apply for_CO2? In its guidelines, the Union specifies a range of €100-140 per ton_{of CO2}, with the upper limit recommended for "water authorities with relatively greater ambition." Would you keep us informed about this? In how many tenders did you apply the social return criterion in 2022? How do you decide in which tenders you do this? Sometimes, both social return and internal_{CO2 pricing} can be included as award criteria in a tender. How do these two conditions relate to each other in the award? (Fijko van der Laan, January 24, 2023)

When major new developments are planned in our area, is every effort made to limit water consumption? The Pallas Reactor in Petten will use surface water as cooling water, which will then be discharged into the sea. How much water will this involve? Will this water also be made available by HHNK in the event of a water shortage? Was the option of sourcing cooling water from the North Sea also considered during the preparatory phase? (Evelien van Roijen, January 10, 2023)