Delta Commissioner’s Weblog – week 28 2010
70 days to go...
After Brazil came Uruguay. And before it was Spain’s turn, on Friday 9 July, the Council of Ministers discussed the 1st Delta Programme that had been so diligently and interactively prepared. A milestone along the path to the historic moment of release on the third Tuesday in September.
What exactly the Council of Ministers decided is still secret, although insiders are aware of what went on in the Trêveszaal. I am proud that together we drew up a robust and sound programme that will form the basis for many years of further cooperation on our delta. The summaries of the action plans of the nine sub-programmes are already available on this website to inform everyone of the principles of the Delta Programme.
Good news in this regard was the assessment of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) of the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (regional studies). The PBL concluded that the approach in the Netherlands using the Delta Programme is the correct approach and a fitting answer to climate changes and related uncertainties.
Furthermore, last Tuesday I paid a working visit to the Hunze en Aa's water board (Chair Alfred van Hall and colleagues) in the north east of the Netherlands. It was interesting because all the elements of the Delta Programme could be seen there. Safety, (the Dollard and Eems dikes; new model calculations), international harmonisation (Germany; effects of the Sperrwerk on the Eems estuary), the freshwater issue and drought (agriculture), nature and the national ecological network as well as water storage in the areas designated that will be completed in 2015. The instruments that the water board has to this end may have to be changed. I gained a good impression of the issues facing the water board and the Directorate of Transport and Water Management, our major allies in managing water nationally and regionally.
I also visited Voorne-Putten, Goeree-Overflakkee and the Haringvliet sluices in connection with my recommendations regarding the Kierbesluit (the decision to leave the Haringvliet sluices partially open). On Monday I consulted with the principals. On Wednesday I went on a field trip and spoke to several stakeholders and obtained information about what has been going on (for many years) in the area. Afterwards, a trip through the Oosterschelde National Park and I was received by the Chair of the Consultation Group, John Lilypali and his staff. I went sailing on a ship of the Directorate of Transport and Water Management and saw and heard a lot, including about sand starvation in the area – a serious problem. The delta is truly beautiful!
On Friday evening it was Delta Drinks and a barbecue at the beach for all those who worked so hard on the Delta Programme. And afterwards we welcomed the start of the summer holidays. So dry…! It will happen more often. The Delta Programme is here for a good reason.
I’ll be back in the second week of August.