New nature areas along the major rivers

Of the plans for creating new nature areas along the major rivers, 12% have now been implemented.

Current situation

As part of the National Ecological Network (Ecologische Hoofdstructuur, EHS), 13.500 of new nature areas are to be created in the washlands of the diked rivers and 1 170 hectares along the undiked section of the Meuse. By the end of 2002, 1765 hectares (12%) of this had been completed, i.e. the land had been both acquired and redeveloped.

By the same date, 4735 hectares (32%) had been acquired for new nature areas in washlands, including 500 hectares in the form of land to be exchanged. (The latter consists of land that is not located in a suitable place but which will be exchanged for other land at a later date.) In addition to the 1750 hectares that have already been completed, development work is underway for 2965 hectares and is in preparation for 1835 hectares. Overall, therefore, more land is currently in the development phase than has been acquired (compare the left and right-hand bar charts). This is because redevelopment work has already commenced in the context of some area projects even though not all of the land has yet been acquired.

As of the end of 2002, no new nature areas had yet been created along the undiked section of the Meuse. Land is being acquired for new nature areas, improvements to shipping routes and as part of flood protection plans. By the end of 2001, 152 hectares of land had been acquired along the stretch of the Meuse that forms the border between the Netherlands and Belgium and along the navigable stretch of the river between Roosteren and 's-Hertogenbosch). After being exchanged, most of this land will be redeveloped to accommodate one of the above functions, although it is not yet clear which parts will be used for new nature areas.

Policy objectives and implementation

Policy focuses on increasing the area and quality of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems in and along the major rivers. The provinces have so far designated 14 670 hectares; the targets are to be achieved by 2015.

The ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and of Transport, Public Works and Water Management have agreed that 8170 hectares of the 14 670 will become nature development areas. Some of this will be excavated so as to provide increased water retention capacity, thus serving the double objective of nature conservation and water management.

The other 6500 hectares of new nature areas are reserves located entirely in the washlands. These are areas where attempts will be made to preserve the existing landscape and existing natural features.