Administrative questions 2020

The province and the water board have approved the Water Section of the Wieringermeer Area Plan, but the municipality of Hollands Kroon has not. Can you indicate when this will happen? What are the consequences for developments in Wieringermeer (Agriport, wind turbines, and wind corner)? 

As part of the road transfer, HHNK recently spent approximately €60,000 on the restoration of the bridge abutments of a former tram bridge in the municipality of Hollands Kroon. Why was the decision not made to remove the bridge abutments? (Arnold Langeveld, December 18, 2020)

In Schermer (on the south side of Noordervaart, Zuidervaart, Blokkerweg, and Laanweg in Stompetoren and Zuidschermer), the reeds are being cut in phases. The residents strongly disagreed with this and put forward various arguments. To accommodate them, an evaluation was promised at the time. Would you be willing to share the results of that evaluation? (Elly Koning-Bruijn, December 7, 2020)

The MRA Report 'Money and challenges for the MRA landscape' also mentions a theoretical financial contribution from the water boards. The AWP considers this report to be interpretable for other regions. It may be possible to work out which changes in the landscape (such as housing construction and the RES) will have financial consequences for HHNK. I raised this issue at the BMW meeting. The portfolio holder stated that the document was not sufficiently relevant to be discussed in the committee at this time. Why is this report not immediately relevant? Should we have presented it differently? (Fred Sanders, November 18, 2020)

What are the peat meadow areas in our region? How has the land subsidence been over the past 20 years? What is the current water level? And how many agricultural businesses are located in these areas? How many permits did HHNK issue in 2018 and 2019 to deviate from the established water level? In which part of the peat meadow areas is the water level lower than the established level? What is HHNK's policy when it comes to applications for these permits? (Bernd Mintjes, November 12 and 23)

In the first eight months of 2020, the generation of both green gas and solar energy fell short of the forecast. What was the reason for this and what are the consequences for operations? Are all our solar parks connected to the Liander network? How much of the energy generated do we use ourselves and how much do we supply to Liander? What was the yield per KWh? And what were the costs per KWh of purchased electricity? (Bernd Mintjes, November 12, 2020)

To date, you have not fulfilled your commitments regarding the Water Innovation Fund. Would you please honor these promises and inform the general board as soon as possible about the conditions set for this: semi-annual reporting (in accordance with our recommendations and proposals) and evaluation within two years? (Ron Wiese, October 26, 2020) 

As part of a security awareness campaign, board members and employees recently received a fake phishing email. After the evaluation, we would like to know what percentage of them actually opened the email and what follow-up actions are being taken. (Ron Wiese, October 25, 2020)

Are you familiar with the letter from the North and South Holland Nature and Environment Federations regarding the plans to upgrade Petten to a fully-fledged seaside resort thanks to the new beach? Have you been in contact with the NMF or the municipality of Schagen? Do you agree with the NMF that the plans, due to their large scale, undermine the agreements in the Coastal Pact and may even pose a threat to coastal safety? Do you intend to take further action? (Hedwig Komproe, October 19, 2020)

Does HHNK carry out the maintenance of ditches itself or is this done by contractors? What agreements have been made with regard to preventing fish mortality and how are these enforced/monitored? How many complaints about ditch maintenance were registered with HHNK in 2020, 2019, and 2018? Has there been any administrative consultation with the municipality of Purmerend about ditch maintenance? Does HHNK apply the Nature Conservation Act Code of Conduct for water boards? How is the improvement of biodiversity taken into account in this work? (Water Natuurlijk, October 8, 2020)

Our lease policy (December 2017) states that we charge an annual lease price of €60/ha for dikes on which no artificial fertilizer is spread. Can you explain why tenants have recently been forced to pay (sometimes significantly) higher lease prices? Can the lease increase be retroactively reversed? (Arie Lap, October 1, 2020)

The red crayfish is advancing. Municipalities and water boards are launching an attack. Do you agree with us that tackling crayfish requires clear coordination between all parties involved? What role do you see for us in this? What is the situation in our area? What effect do the large numbers have on biodiversity and on achieving the WFD target scores? Is intensive removal the only course of action? Can this be taken on by the Muskrat Management Service? Or by professional and recreational fishermen? (General Water Board Party and Business category, October 1, 2020)

Are you familiar with the article by the Dutch Homeowners' Association (Vereniging Eigen Huis) on the development of water board charges for households? The cost burden profiles submitted to the CHI never take into account the development of the WOZ value. What are the cost burden developments at HHNK if both the rate development and the WOZ value development are taken into account? (Peter Vonk, September 27, 2020)

I read this message from the Ombudsman in De Telegraaf. Does this concern HHNK? If so, what were the reasons for shifting responsibility and what is your opinion on this? If not, can you guarantee that this will not happen to us in this way? (Peter Vonk, September 21, 2020)

Concerns have arisen in Barsingerhorn about administrative enforcement orders relating to the dredging inspection. How is communication about the dredging inspection organized? What letters have you sent to the residents of Barsingerhorn and what criteria were used to select the recipients? How will HHNK proceed with regard to communication? (Arnold Langeveld, September 9, 2020)

The NHD reported an excess of unnecessary traffic signs in the municipality of Schagen. Is this report accurate? Can you explain and clarify this excess? Is this situation representative of the roads in our area? What costs are associated with this? (Jacob Avis, August 27, 2020)

Are you familiar with the article Combating blue-green algae is often futile, say ecologists. 'It borders on quackery' (Trouw, August 17)? What methods does HHNK use to combat blue-green algae in recreational lakes, and are they effective? Do we use sound waves and microorganisms? To what extent do we take a source-based approach? At how many swimming locations in our area has blue-green algae been detected this summer? Is this cause for concern? Is HHNK represented in the national blue-green algae working group? (Water Natuurlijk, August 27, 2020)

The promotion of management measures by the agricultural sector has become an important part of the strategy to improve water quality in our management area. Is it possible to assign 'smart' targets to these measures? In other words: what concrete, measurable effect is achieved? And what effect does reducing or increasing the credit have? (Peter Vonk, August 26, 2020)

We received a message from a resident of Warder saying that she finds Westerweg poorly lit. She feels unsafe there in the dark. Westerweg runs through a Natura 2000 area. Is HHNK responsible for managing this road? Can something be done about the lighting without adversely affecting the Natura 2000 area? Perhaps some solar-powered lampposts? (Eva Tannehill, August 21, 2020)

On August 12 and 13, the foreshore (a wetland area) of the reed bed was mowed by machine at the polder pumping station in the Eilandspolder. A tracked vehicle caused casualties among the fauna present. Was the work carried out according to a work plan and was it taken into account that mowing and removing reeds during this period could seriously threaten or destroy the fauna present? Was the implementation in accordance with the exemption from the Nature Conservation Act? Why was it not considered to do this work later in the season? (Peter Vonk, August 20, 2020)

How often do we mow verges and dike edges? Can mowing be carried out later, taking into account both the breeding season and the seed setting of flowering plants? Has mowing been actively carried out in recent months where it could have been postponed due to seed setting/breeding season? What can we do to prevent this next year? Is it true that the clippings from the West Frisian dike are not removed (flailing)? If so, why? Can this policy be changed? Is sinus mowing a possibility? (Fijko van der Laan and Saskia Borgers, August 11, 2020)

The newly created nature reserve is strictly closed off. On what legal grounds can the (public law) Wadden Fund impose these requirements? Is HHNK willing to act as a mediator between the Texel activists and the Wadden Fund? Can the shared use of Ceres beach and the cycle path not be regarded as a long-standing right acquired by law and custom? (Arnold Langeveld, August 6, 2020)

As a result of a major fire in 't Veld on July 30, parts of solar panels were scattered across farmland. This also caused serious pollution in numerous ditches. What action has HHNK taken or will we be taking in the near future? How will we deal with the ditches that need to be dredged? Has there been any communication with stakeholders? (Jan Swaag, August 6, 2020)

Is HHNK, through its stake in Beemster World Heritage, also involved in maintaining the hydraulic engineering elements of the Defense Line of Amsterdam? Shouldn't these water board elements be added to the Legger? (Peter Vonk, July 29, 2020)

The Kleine Dijk in Driehuizen is being surveyed on behalf of the municipality of Alkmaar. Is this being done as part of the road transfer? Why is the road being surveyed up to 1 metre the edge of the road and not up to the cadastral boundary? What will happen in terms of maintenance to the strip of land between 1 metre the road and the cadastral boundary? Is it possible to transfer or sell this strip of land to the adjacent owner? (Peter Vonk, July 17, 2020)

The group report states that energy costs are €1.0 million higher than the estimate at the beginning of this year (€3.0 million). Is it correct that a total of €2.2 million has not been structurally included in the 2020 budget but is included in the 2021-2024 long-term plan? The energy supplier is invoking a lower feed-in tariff because HHNK exceeds the feed-in threshold. What is the current situation? During the theme session on March 4, 2020, you indicated that the annual revenues—after completion of the solar farm investment program—would amount to €0.5 million. This does not include interest. Can you provide an overview of the annual revenues over the entire useful life (15 years)? (Leo Dickhoff, July 15, 2020)

The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has decided that all beach pavilions may remain in place this winter. The letter to parliamententitled ' ' (Beach pavilions in the Netherlands) states that Rijkswaterstaat and the coastal water boards (including HHNK) may impose conditions to prevent erosion, damage, and pollution. Was HHNK consulted on this decision? Do you intend to impose further conditions? And how will you monitor this unique situation? (Frank Frowijn, July 14, 2020)

In response to Ms. Leijen's written communication regarding the disclosure of documents relating to tiny houses, I request that you disclose the complete file, including the opinions of the state attorney. (Gerard Meuwese, July 9, 2020)

The Addenda tiny housesstipulate that HHNK and the municipality are not liable for an increased risk of health complaints due to living close to the wastewater neighbourhood . Can legal liability be removed in an addendum? Any judge would strike this out. If health problems are to be expected, the municipality must licence the licence or be willing to guarantee this liability itself. Has this exoneration clause been legally reviewed? (Peter Vonk, July 5, 2020)

I am receiving concerned reports from fishermen who are noticing fraying HHNK geotextiles in their nets. I received the same concern today from the Environmental Federation. In response to previous questions, we were told that the water board is not aware of any negative effects. How can we prevent geotextiles from fraying? (Saskia Borgers, July 1, 2020)

There are plans to create an archipelago or a large island in the IJsselmeer. Wide marshy strips along the Afsluitdijk. An initiative that will cover at least 18,000 hectares of water (= approx. 10% of the surface area of the IJsselmeer). Mr. Schenk has indicated that HHNK will oppose any space-consuming initiative in this important freshwater reserve. Would you please state loud and clear that HHNK will not cooperate with activities in the IJsselmeer and/or Markermeer that take up the available volume of freshwater or have a negative impact on it? (50PLUS, June 24, 2020) 

What is the real explanation for the fact that, since 2008, the CHI has not been allowed to receive reports of investigations pursuant to Section 109a of the WsW with the annual reports, and how does the D&H board assess this failure to comply with the law? Are you prepared to submit a draft regulation to the CHI that regulates matters such as the frequency, scope, planning, and method of reporting, disclosure handling of these investigations? If so, when can the CHI expect to receive such a draft, and if not, why not? (Frank Frowijn, June 22, 2020)

Can you indicate on a map how and where the effluent from the Everstekoog wastewater treatment plant is distributed across Texel? Will this situation remain unchanged, or will changes be made to the watercourses to optimize distribution? Is all the water from the wastewater treatment plant used during dry periods, or is water also pumped out into the Wadden Sea? Is seawater from the Wadden Sea pumped into the 't Noorden polder at the Krassekeet pumping station? Why was it decided to pump water away from the Krassekeet pumping station to the (salty) Wagejot nature reserve and not to let water in from the Wadden Sea? (Arie Lap, June 4, 2020)

We would like to receive overviews per sub-area of the surface area of water level areas, the surface area of water level deviations within these water level areas (subdivided into over-drainage and under-drainage), and the percentage of water level deviations per water level area. Is water quality monitored in a water level deviation? If so, does it comply with the (WFD) standards? How often do area managers supervision water level supervision an area with water level deviations? How often are deviations from the permitted water level observed? Which areas will be added to the areas covered by the established general rules in the coming year? Are there already water level deviations in these areas? (PvdA, VBNE, and Water Natuurlijk, May 28, 2020).

Can you send us the subsidy annual reports for 2017, 2018, and 2019? What task-oriented subsidies have been awarded (in addition to the Agriculture Portal) and for what amounts? Do the amounts awarded under the 2017-2020 Education Policy Plan also fall under this? Has the 2006 Subsidy Policy ever been evaluated? What is your position on a (new) evaluation? (Frank Frowijn, May 17, 2020)

Why has the CHI not received any legally required reports on investigations pursuant to Article 109a of the Water Management Act with the annual reports in recent years? Do such investigation reports exist and can you send them to us? Is an investigation currently underway? Article 109a of the Water Boards Act stipulates that the general board shall lay down rules by regulation for the control of financial management and the structure of the financial organization. Why has this not yet been done at HHNK? (Frank Frowijn, May 17, 2020)

One of the problems with the current tax system is the so-called flaw whereby infrastructure is regarded as unbuilt. What are the consequences for ratios and rates if infrastructure is regarded as built and the system remains unchanged? Will this eliminate the flaw? Or will it create new flaws? (Peter Vonk, May 16, 2020)

Are you familiar with the Best Value Procurement (BVP) tendering model? Do you use this method or are you willing to do so? If not, why not? (Jacob Avis, May 8, 2020)

What mixture of flowers and plants will be used to sow the outer slope, the crest, and the inner slope of the Markermeer dikes? What kind of dike management do you envision? Would you like to include a budget for ecological management? How can we strengthen biodiversity when renovating and maintaining our storage dikes? (Peter Vonk, May 4, 2020)

The D&H decision list of March 31, 2020 states that HHNK cannot expect priority treatment from network operator Liander and that Mr. Kuipers has requested the North Holland Safety Region and the Union of Water Boards to take action. Has this had any effect? (Ron Wiese, May 1, 2020)

Invasive alien species are increasingly hindering consistent water management. What is causing the increase in these alien species and what is HHNK's policy? Graph 6.3 shows electricity generation per main process in the Water Chain. Can you also show the yield from the solar panels in the graph so that we can get a better picture of what will happen if we close the SDI? (Ron Wiese, May 1, 2020)

Is it true that the municipality of Texel is removing sand from the dunes for use on the beach? Who owns the sand in the dunes? Does this require a permit, and has a licence ? Has this sand been returned? If not, why not? How can this be prevented in the future? (Peter Vonk, April 24, 2020)

Is it true that HHNK wants to change the status of the grass dike between the small dike and Menningweerweg in Driehuizen from a footpath to a crossing? If so, why? Will the dike remain accessible to walkers and pedestrians? (Peter Vonk, April 15, 2020)

The cost estimate for the credit includes the following items under 'miscellaneous': fees, consultancy costs, insurance, construction interest, etc. Can you specify these? What consultancy costs are involved? Are personnel costs included? Shouldn't fees be part of the implementation credit? How is VAT calculated? (Leo Dickhoff, April 2, 2020)

Why did you start work on the Markermeer dikes before the Council of State had issued its ruling? How can you guarantee that no irreversible work will be carried out? You are advising local residents to seek structural advice. How does that fit in with the coronavirus measures? (Saskia Borgers, April 2, 2020)

The COVID-19 virus has been detected in sewage water. Has it also been detected at wastewater treatment plants? And in the effluent and sludge residue? Is the spread of the virus being monitored in sewage water? Are our employees at risk of infection? What measures have been taken to prevent this?

The Water Innovation Fund provides interest-bearing loans to entrepreneurs. Is it an option to temporarily suspend interest and repayment obligations in connection with the coronavirus crisis? (Wim Hamers, March 28, 2020)

When and by whom was the policy on drainage established? Is there an overview available of the drainage systems in our area? Are these drainage systems licensed? How is this enforced? Is there a gauge at the deepest point of each drainage system? (Saskia Borgers, March 5, 2020)

Would you like to examine whether the effluent from the Everstekoog wastewater treatment plant can be used in the Waalenburg and Eierland polders? The new diversion channel around the Waalenburg nature reserve now has a steep embankment that is unstable and collapsing in several places. Why is this embankment not gentler? In addition, dozens of new weirs are incorrectly positioned. It is expected that they will have to be adjusted in the near future. Who will arrange this, and who will pay for it? (Arie Lap, February 21, 2020)

Do you agree with us that the board and the Members' Meeting of the Union of Water Authorities should also be able to consist of members of the general board? Are you willing to develop initiatives to bring about the change/expansion that we consider desirable? (Gerard Meuwese, January 26, 2020).

In early November, Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen announced that a committee would be appointed to investigate the guaranteed seats of the water boards. What is the current status? How is HHNK involved? Do you intend to keep the CHI informed about the content and progress on a structural basis? Does the committee plan to consult with (national parties in) water board administrations? (Peter Vonk, January 25, 2020)

Struvite may be used on agricultural land. However, in order to be processed into fertilizer, struvite needs to obtain what is known as 'end-of-waste status'. This procedure is still ongoing. The latest news is that struvite must also be tested for PFAS. According to Aquaminerals, the sale of struvite is currently far from optimal. What are the consequences (in terms of production, sales, and finances) for HHNK? (Leo Dickhoff, January 23, 2020)

Does HHNK use Citrix software to facilitate working from home? If so, what measures has HHNK taken following the recent warning about security breaches? (Leo Dickhoff, January 18, 2020)

The RIVM recently published two reports on Legionella contamination via the air near wastewater treatment plants. Has the RIVM also investigated HHNK installations? What measures has HHNK taken to prevent the spread of Legionella via the air? Will you adopt the RIVM's recommendations and policy advice? Are wastewater treatment plant employees at increased risk of Legionella contamination? (Leo Dickhoff and Jacob Avis, January 16, 2020)

Can you provide us with the meeting documents from the Union's general meeting? (Gerard Meuwese, January 15, 2020)

The internship allowance for students from vocational, higher professional, or university education differs at HHNK. Are you (following the example of the national government) prepared to equalize these internship allowances for students from different levels of education? (Peter Vonk, January 1, 2020)