Administrative questions 2019

When the Agriculture Portal was launched, was research conducted into which measures are (most) effective? Does the evaluation give cause to amend the list of measures? What other themes and measures are being considered to expand the Agricultural Portal? Have these been proven to be effective? How much does HHNK contribute to the organizational structure of the Soil & Water partnership? When will you present a management proposal for the follow-up process? (Saskia Borgers and Frank Frowijn, December 16, 2019)

What is the reason for the premature dismantling of the Broeckgouw test site? Is this due to a layer of peat, which behaves differently from clay? If so, what are the consequences? (Saskia Borgers, December 3, 2019)

To what extent do the precipitation statistics presented on October 10 differ from the data currently used by HHNK for both operational water management and climate adaptation activities? What are the (financial) consequences for our work in the coming years? Consider the additional capacity required for reservoirs and pumping stations (on top of what is already provided for in the MJP)? (Frank Frowijn, November 21, 2019)

What is the current status of this project? When will you submit the project plan to the general board for a decision? Would you like to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting of the W&W committee? (Wim Hamers, November 18, 2019)

Are you familiar with the NHD article 'Alarm bells ringing after embankment subsidence', in which a resident of Berkhout sounds the alarm? What do you think of the interaction between citizens and the water board described in the article? Are you willing to work with the resident to find out how this process has developed? Watercourses must comply with the minimum depth specified in the register and the regulations. To what extent is there also a maximum depth? Would you like to include information on the website about how deep optimal revetment should be installed, with a warning about underflow in the event of future deepening of the watercourse due to dredging? (Peter Vonk, November 18, 2019)

Are you familiar with the Nereda purification technique and the Kaumera product? Is it true that HHNK is committed to the development of microfiltration and supercritical gasification, a technique that has not yet proven itself? Would you like to draw up a thorough vision to determine which purification technique will be used to replace outdated installations? (Sjaak Hoogendoorn, October 31, 2019)

The dike around the Noordmeer polder north of Broek in Waterland has recently been partially renovated. This polder is safe and secure, and the dike is in good condition. How large is this Noordmeer polder in terms of hectares of undeveloped land? How much did it cost to renovate the quay around this polder? (Peter Vonk, October 29, 2019)

Why does the water in the Wimmenummerpolder remain high for so long? This concerns the Zandweg-Heerenweg region in Egmond aan den Hoef. In surrounding areas, the water level has returned to normal. (Jacob Avis, October 24, 2019)

Next to the Kaagmolen in Opmeer stands a beautiful historic building, which used to house a steam pumping station and later a diesel pumping station. Is this building listed as a historic monument by HHNK? And would it be possible to use this building to house an exhibition about historic water management? (Peter Vonk, September 24, 2019) 

In the Eierland polder, adjacent to the Waalenburg polder, there is a farm called 'de Bunders'. It was built on the silted-up land of the old Texel island. Because the farm's land is part of the dike foot between the polders, the water board has always retained ownership of this land. Rumor has it that Natuurmonumenten has now purchased the farm from HHNK. What has HHNK been doing with the land lately and what agreements have been made about this with the organized agricultural sector on Texel? (Arie Lap, September 12, 2019)

Can you tell us about the impact of PFAS on the progress of dredging projects and laboratory research? Do these substances also play a role in our management area? Does this hinder the sale of mature dredged material? (Kees Stam, September 5, 2019)

In May, the Council of State ruled on the case concerning the Nitrogen programme (PAS). This so-called 'nitrogen decision' has consequences for all projects that lead to an increase in nitrogen oxide and/or ammonia emissions in the neighbourhood Natura 2000 areas. What are the consequences of this ruling for HHNK's current and future projects? Which projects will be delayed as a result of this decision? How long will the delay be and what are the financial consequences? (Wim Hamers, September 4, 2019)

When calculating the 'unloading quay', a simpler calculation program was used for cost reasons. Are there other parts of the overall project where the cheaper calculation program was used, and does the situation with the 'unloading quay' give cause to recalculate those parts as well? Do we sufficiently support the changes in calculation methods, technical choices, and implementation, or would it be sensible to set up a 'control board'? Are the choices we are now making for the Markermeer dike no-regret proof for the future? Is it advisable to help set up a stakeholder council at an early stage for large projects? How can we use the planned citizen participation fund? (Fred Sanders, July 15, 2019)

Are you familiar with the Mesdag report and the impact of water birds on surface water? How does HHNK measure the amount of phosphate and nitrogen produced by birds? How is this data included in the WFD report? In which locations does the presence of water birds increase the likelihood that bathing water will no longer meet the standards? Will the increasing influence of birds on the water system lead to adjustments to the permitted standards? (Arie Lap, June 12, 2019)

The Water Innovation Fund was established in June 2017. In the opinion of the Companies category, the progress of the WIF is too slow and reporting and documentation are lagging far behind. How many pitches have there been so far? How many registrations are there for the next WIF meeting? Which pitches have been positively assessed by the assessment committee and what was the innovation? Will HHNK use NGCM's products and promote them? Can the board be periodically informed about the WIF in concrete terms? (Ron Wiese, June 5, 2019)

Research by Prof. Martina Vijver shows that the insecticide thiacloprid has a much greater harmful effect on macrofauna in outdoor water than in laboratory tests. Where and in what concentrations do thiacloprid and similar neonicotinoids (such as imadacloprid) occur in the waters of HHNK? Were there any situations in the period 2015-2019 where these concentrations exceeded the legal standards? Are these figures cause for concern and what does HHNK intend to do about this? (Eva Tannehil, May 28, 2019)

The review committee mentions the (technical) choice to construct foreland as a good alternative for reinforcing the Markermeer dikes. Why was this alternative not included as an option? Foreland was present in the Middle Ages at Schellinkhout, Hoorn, and Scharwoude, among other places. Is there still room in the project plan to reassess this alternative? (Saskia Borgers, May 20, 2019)

Are you aware that geotextiles end up in the aquatic environment and may also be ingested by fish? What will you do to prevent this from happening on a large scale? (Saskia Borgers, May 14, 2019)

HHNK has licence Liander licence to install a transformer station on Nieuwendammerdijk in Amsterdam. Liander has already started work and has confiscated a parking space in the process. Isn't it customary for there to be public consultation or for objections to be raised? Can construction simply take place in a protected cityscape? Why can't renovation or modification be carried out at the location where a GEB cabinet is already in place? (Gerard Meuwese, May 13, 2019)