Guidance Policy on wetlands and aquatic ecosystems section
Index Policy on wetlands and aquatic ecosystems section
- Fish passages
- New nature areas along the major rivers
- New nature areas in the Lake IJssel area
- National Ecological Network and water retention
- The National Ecological Network and the nature function of regional water bodies
Introduction
The water bodies in the Netherlands generally fulfil a number of functions simultaneously. These include nature conservation, recreation, shipping, fishing and water retention. Nature policy and water policy are therefore closely linked. National policy on wetlands and aquatic ecosystems (nature in and around the water) is set out in the "Nature for People, People for Nature" (Natuur voor mensen, mensen voor natuur) memorandum. The objectives of this policy are to strengthen wetlands and aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable use of the sea, coast and other large water bodies. The aim is to co-ordinate the development of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems with water management, for example by providing more space for rivers as part of flood protection (V&W, 2000a).
The large water bodies (major rivers, the Wadden Sea, Lake IJssel and the Zeeland delta) have almost all been designated part of the National Ecological Network (Ecologische Hoofdstructuur, EHS), but they also have other functions. The intention is to ensure that by 2018 the way they are developed and managed is more in line with the objectives for nature.
The European Water Framework Directive is also relevant; this applies to all water bodies including the sea (out to a distance of 1 nautical mile from the low-water line). Under the terms of the Framework Directive, ecological water quality targets must be set by no later than 2006 and be met by 2015.
The indicators in this section relate to fresh water. No indicators are as yet available for policy on bodies of salt water.
Safety and wetlands and aquatic ecosystems
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries is working with the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management to provide protection against flooding and to promote the development of nature along the major water bodies. This includes programmes for new nature areas along the major rivers, in the Lake IJssel area, the Zuid-Holland delta and the north of the country. Implementation of the programme for "Recovery and Development of National Waters" (Herstel en inrichting rijkswateren) is also being speeded up; this includes making water edges more wildlife-friendly and constructing fish passages. These programmes are being carried out both within and outside the confines of the EHS.
The programmes for Lake IJssel and the major rivers have been running for several years now and indicators are available for them.
Policy focuses on retaining water temporarily in certain areas during periods of flooding (V&W, 2000b). Some of these areas overlap with the EHS.
National Ecological Network and regional water bodies
The provinces determine the boundaries of the EHS and also assign nature functions to certain regional water bodies (lakes, small rivers, brooks, ditches etc.). Not all of the water bodies within the EHS have been assigned a nature function.
Fish passages and wildlife-friendly banks
Fish come up against a large number of obstacles as they migrate from the upper reaches of small brooks to the sea or vice versa, for example weirs and dams that have been constructed to manage water levels and for safety reasons. Policy focuses on enabling fish to bypass these obstacles.
Making banks and water edges more wildlife-friendly means providing a better habitat for the flora and fauna that live there.
References
- Europees Parlement (2000). Kaderrichtlijn water. Richtlijn 2000/60/EG van het Europees Parlement en de Raad tor vaststelling van een kader voor communautaire maatregelen betreffende het waterbeleid. Brussel.
- V&W (2000a). Ruimte voor de rivier. Directoraat-Generaal van de Rijkswaterstaat. Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat. Den Haag.
- V&W (2000b). Anders omgaan met water. Waterbeleid in de 21e eeuw. Directoraat-Generaal van de Rijkswaterstaat. Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat. Den Haag.
