The National Ecological Network and the nature function of regional water bodies
Not all the water bodies within the National Ecological Network have been assigned the function of "nature".
Current situation
(NB: The concept of "function" in water policy is comparable with that of "zoning use" in spatial planning policy.)
Many water bodies within the National Ecological Network (Ecologische Hoofdstructuur, EHS) have been assigned the function of "nature" but many - this applies to some 30% of the ditches and brooks within the NEN - have not. However, most (90%) of the pools, lakes and ponds within the NEN have been zoned as "nature".
There are also many water bodies outside the NEN that have the function of "nature".
Policy objectives
Under the terms of the Water Management Act (Wet op de waterhuishouding), the provinces assign functions, including that of "nature", to regional water bodies. This means that targets are set for water quality, development and management.
The provinces also designate areas and water bodies as "nature" when defining the NEN. This means that targets are set for the quality of nature and the environment and for development, protection and management. The concept 'function' in the water policy can be compared with the concept 'allocation' in environmental/town and country planning policies.
Technical note
Provincial water management and environmental plans include maps showing the functions of regional waters. These have been combined to produce a map of the whole country; the various different methods and keys to symbols used by the provinces have been adapted to produce a single national version, based on recommendations made by the Netherlands Commission on Integrated Water Management (Commissie Integraal Waterbeheert). The national map and the key to symbols have been checked by the provinces.
The NEN is as designated by the provinces (situation as of 1 January 2002).
References
- CIW (2001). Doelstellingen voor het Waterbeheer. Een handreiking voor de beschrijving van toetsbare beleidsdoelstellingen. Commissie Integraal Waterbeheer. Den Haag.
- RIVM en DLO (2002). Natuurbalans 2002. Milieu- en natuurplanbureau. Kluwer. Alphen aan den Rijn.
