Appealing an administrative decision
Do you disagree with a decision made by the water board? And are you an interested party? Then you can lodge an objection.
How do I know if I can object?
You can only lodge an objection if you are an interested party, i.e. if your interests are directly affected by the decision. Before an administrative body responds to the objection, it often (but not always) gives interested parties the opportunity to explain the objection orally. This is also referred to as 'being heard'.
Only hydraulic engineering objections
Objections are sometimes lodged against water permits, with the objections relating to spatial planning issues such as reduced views or noise pollution. The water board declares such objections inadmissible. The water board only considers objections related to water management. Objections concerning privacy, nuisance, noise pollution, cultural-historical values, natural values, and other environmental objections can be submitted to the municipality.
Traffic-related objections
Does your objection relate to traffic or parking? If so, first check the website below to find out who the local road authority is and address your objection to them.
Terms and Conditions
You may lodge an objection if the following conditions are met.
- Our board has made a decision. A written refusal to make a decision, or failure to make a decision in a timely manner, is also considered to be a decision.
- As a stakeholder, you are directly involved in the decision.
- You must lodge your objection within six weeks of the date of the decision. After that, you will be too late.
In some cases, the objection procedure can be skipped. You can then request the water board in your objection to agree to a direct appeal to the administrative court.
How do you file an objection?
Online
Submit your objection using the digital form.
By letter
Submit your objection by letter. Your objection must include the following information:
- your name, address details, and phone number;
- the date on which you write the objection;
- registration number and description of the written decision against which you wish to lodge an objection;
- the reasons why you disagree with the decision (these are the grounds for your objection);
- an authorisation if you are filing an objection on behalf of someone else);
- your signature.
Please note that you cannot submit an objection anonymously. Any interested parties, such as a license holder, will be informed that you have submitted an objection.
Send the objection by mail to:
Dijkgraaf and water board members HHNK
Postbus
1700 AG Heerhugowaard
Explain objections verbally
You have the right to explain your objections orally. If you wish to exercise this right, please state this in your objection letter. You and any other interested parties will usually be heard by civil servants. In order to ensure an unbiased assessment of the case, these civil servants will not have been involved in the decision to which you are objecting. For some objections, the board of the dike reeve and water board members seeks advice from an Advisory Committee on Objections. In that case, you will be heard by the Advisory Committee on Objections. For more information about this committee, see the page Advisory Committee on Objections.
Rates
You do not have to pay any costs to submit an objection. If you have incurred costs yourself—for example, for professional legal assistance—you can request reimbursement for these costs. You must submit your request for reimbursement before a decision is made on your objection. When a decision is made on your objection, a decision will also be made immediately on whether you will be reimbursed for your costs.
Mediation
In addition to lodging an objection, you can also make use of mediation. We would be happy to discuss this with you. Please see the Mediation page for more information.