Sheep are once again allowed on the dike along the Wadden Sea
Starting Monday, September 28, sheep will be allowed to return to the dikes along the Wadden Sea on the mainland. The grazing ban will be lifted at the Balgzanddijk, Amsteldiepdijk, and the dike near Wieringen. On Texel, however, the ban will remain in effect because the grass cover there has not recovered sufficiently before the storm season. A healthy grass cover is necessary to keep the flood defense (dike) sturdy, so that it can withstand storms and high water. Tenants on Texel will be able to let their sheep graze on the dike again after the storm season.
Dijkgraaf Remco Bosma: “We greatly appreciate the way in which leaseholders have complied with the ban during times of drought and the speed with which they removed sheep from the dikes. Thanks to this swift and careful action, the risks to the flood defenses have been minimized, and the grass has had time to recover. Unfortunately, recovery on Texel will take more time. We are aware that this is an unfortunate outcome for the Texel leaseholders. Water safety is our top priority; we are doing everything we can to keep our dikes safe so that residents can keep their feet dry.”
Dry summer
Due to the prolonged drought this summer, the grass cover was in poor condition, leading to a grazing ban that went into effect on August 8 along the dikes bordering the Wadden Sea in Hollands Noorderkwartier. Livestock were no longer allowed to graze there, in order to give the grass cover time to recover before the storm season begins.
Thick turf
The grass cover has been assessed weekly since the grazing ban was imposed. These assessments have focused on the development of the grass cover, the conditions, and the implications for the management, maintenance, and use of the flood defenses. These assessments show that the grass cover on the mainland has recovered to the point where grazing is once again possible. Therefore, the grazing ban there is being lifted. Starting September 28, leaseholders may once again allow their sheep onto the dike.
Texel
On Texel, the grazing ban will remain in effect for twelve leaseholders. The assessment shows that the grass cover on the Wadden Sea dike has not yet recovered sufficiently to allow sheep to graze on the dike again. Grazing is no longer permitted each year starting on October 15, the beginning of the storm season. On Texel, the sheep will therefore not return to the Wadden Sea dike until after the storm season.