Frequently Asked Questions About the Public Review of the Vision for the Future 2050+

The Vision for the Future is HHNK’s most important policy document. The Vision for the Future sets the direction for water management in the coming decades. This document outlines how HHNK, together with the surrounding community, intends to address major water challenges such as climate change, sea-level rise, increasing drought, and flooding.

The 2012 Delta Vision is based on the principle that “Climate change is manageable if we invest in a timely manner, collaborate, and take adaptive measures,” while the 2050+ Vision for the Future is based on the observation that the limits of feasibility, affordability, and manageability are coming into view. As a result, HHNK must make more explicit choices, set priorities, differentiate its approach, and also place more responsibility on society.

Managing water is becoming less and less straightforward. It is no longer possible to prevent all risks everywhere, all the time. That is why HHNK is committed to managing water more intelligently, making clear choices, and collaborating with residents, businesses, and government agencies.  For residents, business owners, municipalities, and partners, this means that water is no longer merely a prerequisite managed by the water authority, but is increasingly becoming a social organizing principle that everyone must take into account.

The Vision for the Future affects everyone. By making it available for public review, everyone can see what it means for them. It also gives everyone the opportunity to submit their views. The choices outlined in the Vision for the Future concern topics that affect everyone:

• Water Safety – How Can We Protect Ourselves from Floods and Better Prepare for Them?
• Sufficient Water—How Do We Deal with Drought and the Distribution of Fresh Water?
• Healthy and Clean Water – How Do We Keep Our Water Clean and Suitable for People and Nature?
• Collaboration – How can we ensure that we tackle these challenges together?

You can indicate what changes you would like to see in any part of the Draft Vision for the Future. The opinions submitted will be taken into account in the decision-making process. However, this does not mean that an opinion will always be adopted.

Starting on the day the draft Vision for the Future is made available for public review, anyone may submit comments to the Board of the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board—comprising the dike reeve and the water board members—for a period of six weeks. This can be done in the following ways:

1. Digitally, using the designated web form on the " Comments" page.
2. In writing by mail. Please send your comments to the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board, Postbus 250, 1700 AG Heerhugowaard.
3. In person. You can schedule an appointment by calling 072-582 8282. A report will be prepared based on your comments.

The water board responds to all submitted comments in a Response to Comments document. Submitters will be personally notified of how their comments were addressed. In accordance with personal data protection regulations, comments are published in the Public Comment Document at anonymised.

The public comments may lead to revisions to the Vision for the Future 2050+. The water board’s executive board will decide whether to adopt the Vision for the Future 2050+.

You can email your question to tv2050@hhnk.nl or contact the Strategy Team in the Administration, Management, and Strategy Department at 072-582 8282.