Governance Questions 2020

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

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

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

The MRA Report "Money and Tasks for the MRA Landscape" also mentions a theoretical financial contribution from the water boards. The AWP sees this report as interpretable to other regions. It may be possible to work out which changes in the landscape (such as housing construction and the RES) with financial consequences will fall on HHNK. In the BMW meeting I called attention to this. The portfolio holder stated that the document was not relevant enough to have discussion in the committee now. Why is this report not timely right away? Should we have brought it in differently? (Fred Sanders, November 18, 2020)

What are the peatlands in our area? What has the land subsidence been like over the past 20 years? What is the current level? And how many agricultural businesses are located in these areas? How many permits has HHNK issued in the years 2018 and 2019 to deviate from the established water level? In what part of the peatland areas is the level lower than the established level? What is HHNK's policy in applying for these permits? (Bernd Mintjes, November 12 and 23)

In the first eight months of 20202, generation of both green gas and solar power fell short of the forecast. What was the reason for this and what are the consequences for operations? Are all our solar farms connected to the Liander network? How much of the generated energy 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 power purchased? (Bernd Mintjes, November 12, 2020)

To date, you have not fulfilled your commitments regarding the Water Innovation Fund. Will you make good on these promises and inform the General Board as soon as possible of the Requirements set for this: semi-annual reporting (in accordance with our recommendations and preliminaries) and evaluation within two years? (Ron Wiese, Oct. 26, 2020) 

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

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

Does HHNK perform ditch maintenance itself or is it done by contractors? What agreements have been made regarding the prevention of fish mortality and how are they enforced/monitored? How many complaints about ditch maintenance performed were registered with HHNK in 2020, 2019 and 2018? Has there been administrative consultation with the Purmerend municipality regarding ditch maintenance? Does HHNK apply the Code of Conduct for Water Boards under the Nature Conservation Act? How is biodiversity improvement included in this work (Water Natuurlijk, Oct. 8, 2020)?

Our leasing policy (December 2017) states that we charge an annual rental price of €60/ha for levees on which fertilizer is not spread. Can you indicate why tenants have recently been forced to pay (sometimes substantially) higher rents? Can the rent increase be reversed retroactively? (Arie Lap, October 1, 2020)

The red crayfish is on the rise. Municipalities and water boards are launching the attack. Do you agree with us that dealing with crayfish requires clear direction 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 the achievement of WFD target scores? Is intensive trapping the only course of action? Can this be taken up by the Muskrat Management Service? Or by professional and sport fishermen? (General Water Board Party and Business Category, October 1, 2020)

Are you familiar with the article by the Homeowner's Association on water authority charge development for households? In the burden pressure profiles submitted to the CHI, the WOZ value development is never included. What are the burden pressure developments at HHNK if both the tariff development and the WOZ value development are included? (Peter Vonk, September 27, 2020)

I read this message from the Ombudsman in the Telegraph. Does this concern HHNK? If so, what were the reasons for shifting the responsibility and what do you yourself think? If not, do 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 regarding the dredge inspection. How was the communication around the dredge inspection organized? Which letters did you send to the inhabitants of Barsingerhorn and according to which criteria were the people selected? How is HHNK dealing with this further in terms of communication (Arnold Langeveld, September 9, 2020)?

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

Are you familiar with the article Fighting blue-green algae is often useless, ecologists say. 'It tends toward quackery' (Trouw, Aug. 17)? What methods does HHNK deploy to control blue-green algae in recreational lakes and are they effective? Do we use sound waves and microorganisms? To what extent do we use a source approach? At how many swimming locations in our area has blue-green algae been detected this summer? Is this alarming? Is HHNK represented in the national blue-green algae working group? (Water Natuurlijk, August 27, 2020)

The encouragement 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 provide these measures with "smart" objectives? In other words, what concrete, measurable effect is being achieved? And what effect does lowering or increasing the credit have? (Peter Vonk, Aug. 26, 2020)

From a resident of Warder we received the message that she finds the Westerweg badly lit. In the dark she feels unsafe there. The Westerweg is said to run through a Natura 2000 area. Does HHNK manage 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, near the polder pumping station in the Eilandspolder, the foreshore (a marsh area) of the reed bed was mowed by machine. In the process, a tracked vehicle caused casualties among the fauna present. Did the work follow a work plan and take 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 Nature Protection Act exemption? Why was this work not considered later in the season? (Peter Vonk, August 20, 2020)

At what frequency do we mow roadsides and levee edges? Can mowing be done later, taking into account both breeding season and seed setting of flowering plants? Has there been active mowing in recent months where it could have been delayed due to seed setting/breeding season? What can we do to avoid this next year? Is it the case that grass clippings from the West Frisian dike are not removed (flail)? If so: why? Can this policy be changed? Is sine mowing one of the possibilities? (Fijko van der Laan and Saskia Borgers, August 11, 2020)

The newly created nature reserve is rigidly closed. On what legal grounds can the (public-law) Wadden Fund make these demands? Is HHNK willing to act as a mediator between the campaigning Texelaars and the Wadden Fund? Can the shared use of Ceres beach and the bicycle path not be considered an old business right acquired by right and custom? (Arnold Langeveld, August 6, 2020)

As a result of a large fire in 't Veld on July 30, parts of solar panels were scattered across farmland. This also caused numerous ditches to become seriously polluted. What action has HHNK taken or will we take in the short term? How will we deal with the ditches to be dredged? Has there been communication with stakeholders? (Jan Swaag, August 6, 2020)

Because of its stakeholdership of Beemster World Heritage, is HHNK also involved in the conservation of the hydraulic elements of the Defence Line of Amsterdam? Shouldn't these water board elements be added to the Legger? (Peter Vonk, July 29, 2020)

On behalf of the municipality of Alkmaar, the Kleine Dijk in Driehuizen is being surveyed. Is this being done as part of the road transfer? Why is the road being measured up to 1 meter from the edge of the road and not up to the cadastral boundary? In terms of maintenance, what happens to the strip of land between the 1 meter from the road to the cadastral boundary? Is there a possibility to transfer or sell this strip of land to the adjacent owner? (Peter Vonk, July 17, 2020)

The group report mentions € 1.0 mln higher energy costs than the estimate at the beginning of this year (€ 3.0 mln). Is it correct that a total of € 2.2 mln is structurally not included in the 2020 budget but is included in the 2021-2024 MYP? The energy supplier claims a lower feed-in tariff because HHNK is above the feed-in threshold. What is the state of affairs? During the theme session of March 4, 2020, you indicated that the annual revenues - after completion of the solar meadows investment program - amount to € 0.5 mln. 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 will be allowed to remain in place next winter. The Kamerbrief states that Rijkswaterstaat and the coastal water boards (including HHNK) can set preconditions to prevent erosion, damage and pollution. Has HHNK been informed of this decision? Do you intend to set further preconditions? And how will you monitor this unique situation? (Frank Frowijn, July 14, 2020)

In response to Ms. Leijen's written communication regarding making documents related to the tiny houses available for inspection, I request that the complete file be made available for inspection, including the opinions of the country attorney. (Gerard Meuwese, July 9, 2020)

The Addenda tiny houses state that HHNK and the municipality are not liable for an increased risk of health complaints due to habitation close to the rwzi. Can you eliminate legal liability in an addendum? Every judge will draw a line under this. If there are foreseeable health problems, then the municipality should deny the permit or be willing to guarantee this liability itself. Has this exoneration clause been legally tested? (Peter Vonk, July 5, 2020)

I get worried messages from fishermen who notice the fraying of HHNK's geotextile in their nets. I received the same concern today from the Environmental Federation. In response to previous questions, we were told that no negative effects are known to the Water Board. How do 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 ha of water (= about 10% of the surface of the IJsselmeer). Mr. Schenk has indicated that HHNK will oppose any space-consuming initiative in this important freshwater resource. Do you want to speak out loud and clear that HHNK will not cooperate with any activities in the IJsselmeer and/or Markermeer that take up or negatively affect the available volume of freshwater? (50PLUS, June 24, 2020) 

What is the real explanation of the fact that CHI has not been allowed to receive reports of Section 109a WsW investigations with the annual accounts since 2008, and how does the College of D&H 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, schedule and manner of reporting, disclosure and treatment of these investigations? If so, when can the CHI look forward to 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 rwzi Everstekoog is distributed over Texel? Will this situation remain as it is or will changes be made in the watercourses to optimize the distribution? Is all the water from the rwzi used in a dry season, or is water also pumped away on the Wadden Sea? Is seawater from the Wadden Sea pumped into polder 't Noorden at Krassekeet pumping station? Why has it been decided to pump water away from the Krassekeet pumping station to the (saline) Wagejot nature reserve and not to pump in water from the Wadden Sea? (Arie Lap, June 4, 2020)

We would like to receive overviews per subarea of the area of level deviations, of the area of level deviations within these level deviations (subdivided by embankments and underdrains) and of the percentage of level deviations per level deviation. Is the water quality in a level deviation monitored? If so, does it meet the (WFD) standards? How often do area managers monitor the conducted level in a level deviation area? How often are deviations from the permitted level observed? Which areas will be added to the areas covered by the established general rules in the coming year? Are level deviations already occurring in these areas? (PvdA, VBNE and Water Natuurlijk, May 28, 2020).

Can you provide us with the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Annual Grant Reports? What task-specific grants were awarded (besides the Agriculture Portal) and for what amounts? Does this include the amounts awarded under the 2017-2020 Education Policy Plan? Has the 2006 Grants Policy been evaluated yet? How do you feel about a (new) evaluation (Frank Frowijn, May 17, 2020)?

Why has CHI not been allowed to receive - legally required - reports of investigations under Section 109a WsW with the annual reports in recent years? Do such investigation reports exist and can you send them to us? Are any investigations currently in progress? Article 109a of the Water Board Act states that the General Board shall adopt by ordinance rules for the control of the financial management and the establishment of the financial organization. Why has this not yet been done at HHNK? (Frank Frowijn, May 17, 2020)

One of the pain points of the current tax system is the so-called flaw where infrastructure is considered unbuilt. What are the consequences for the ratios and rates if infrastructure is seen as built and the system does not change? Does this eliminate the flaw? Or does this create new contraction errors? (Peter Vonk, May 16, 2020)

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

With which flower and plant mixture will the outer slope, the crest of the dike and the inner slope of the Markermeer dikes soon be sown? What management of the dike do you envision? Will you budget for ecological management? How do we strengthen biodiversity when renewing and maintaining our buoy dikes? (Peter Vonk, May 4, 2020)

The D&H decision list of March 31, 2020 states that HHNK cannot expect priority treatment from grid operator Liander and that Mr. Kuipers requested action from the Safety Region NH and the Union of Water Boards. Has that had any result (Ron Wiese, May 1, 2020)?

Invasive exotics are increasingly getting in the way of consistent water management. What is causing the increase in these exotics and what is HHNK's policy? Graph 6.3 shows the generation of electricity per main process in the Water Chain. Can you also show in the graph the output of the solar panels so we can get a better picture of what happens when we close the SDI? (Ron Wiese, May 1, 2020)

Is it true that sand is taken from the dunes by the municipality of Texel for the benefit of the beach? To whom does the sand in the dunes belong? Is this subject to a permit and has a permit been granted? Has this sand been returned? If not, why not? How can this be prevented in the future? (Peter Vonk, April 24, 2020)

Is it correct that HHNK wants to change the status of the grass dike between the small dike and the Menningweerweg at Driehuizen from walking path to overpath? If so, why? Will the dike remain accessible to walkers and pedestrians? (Peter Vonk, April 15, 2020)

In the cost estimate for the credit, under the miscellaneous item, the following items appear: dues, consulting fees, insurance, construction interest, etc. Can you specify these? What consulting costs are involved? Are personnel costs included? Should not dues be part of the construction credit? How has VAT been calculated? (Leo Dickhoff, April 2, 2020)

Why did you start executive work on the Markermeer dikes even before the Council of State's ruling? How can you guarantee that no irreversible work will take place? You advise local residents to request an engineering opinion. How do you reconcile that with the corona measures? (Saskia Borgers, April 2, 2020)

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

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

When and by whom was what policy adopted on underdrainage? Is an overview available of underdrains in our area? Are these underdrains licensed? How is it enforced? Is there a gauge at the deepest point of each underdrainage? (Saskia Borgers, March 5, 2020)

Would you like to see if effluent from the Everstekoog rwzi can be used in the Waalenburg and Eierland polders? The new detour ditch around the Waalenburg nature reserve now has a steep slope that is unstable and collapsing in several places. Why is this slope not flatter? Moreover, dozens of new weirs are in the wrong position. It is expected that they will have to be adjusted within a short time. Who will take care of this, and who will pay for it? (Arie Lap, February 21, 2020)

Do you agree with us that the Board and Assembly of Members of the Union of Water Boards should also be able to consist of members of the General Board? Are you willing to develop initiatives to bring about the change/enlargement 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 state of affairs? In what way is HHNK involved? Do you intend to inform the CHI structurally about content and progress? Has consultation of (national parties in) water boards been provided for by the committee? (Peter Vonk, January 25, 2020)

Struvite may be used on agricultural land. But to be processed into fertilizer, struvite needs a so-called "end-of-waste" status. This procedure is ongoing. The latest news is that struvite must also be examined for PFAS. According to Aquaminerals, the marketing of struvite is now far from optimal. What are the consequences (production, marketing and financial) 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 security breach warning? (Leo Dickhoff, Jan. 18, 2020)

RIVM recently published two reports on airborne Legionella contamination near sewage treatment plants. Did the RIVM also investigate HHNK's plants? What measures has HHNK taken to prevent the spread of legionella via the air? Do you adopt RIVM's recommendations and policy recommendations? Do employees of rwzi's run an increased risk of legionella infection? (Leo Dickhoff and Jacob Avis, January 16, 2020)

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

The internship allowance for students coming from MBO, HBO or WO differs at HHNK. Are you (following the lead of the State) willing to equalize these internship allowances for students of different educational levels? (Peter Vonk, January 1, 2020)