Delta Commissioner's Weblog - week 26 2010
First Delta sub-programme on its way to the Council of Ministers
Just before leaving for Singapore, where I will be speaking at the International Singapore Water Week (during the plenary session and one of the sub-sessions) about delta management and the Dutch approach, I am proud to announce that last week we made significant strides towards the adoption of the first Delta sub-programme by the Council of Ministers.
The Committee on a Sustainable Living Environment (the official gateway to the Council of Ministers) as well as the National Administrative Water Committee for the Delta Programme made positive recommendations regarding the 100 percent version of the Delta Programme submitted to them. The discussions involving content and support will lead to slight amendments to the text. Everyone was enthusiastic about the realistic content and the open process. All the (involved) staff members can be proud. On 9 July, the final version will be discussed by the Council of Ministers, introduced by Minister Eurlings – also on behalf of his colleagues Huizinga (VROM) and Verburg (LNV). On that evening we will surely enjoy a ‘Delta drink’ at the beach!
On Monday, I met with the parliamentary group leader of the Partij voor de Dieren (Animal Welfare Party), Ms Thieme. We had a very enjoyable and open talk about, among other things, the political choices to be made and the desire to discuss the entire Delta Programme in the Lower House.
On Tuesday I spoke with Robbert Dijkgraaf, President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), in particular about the scientific aspects of the research for the Delta Programme. We both noted that for the Netherlands, this domain (water and delta) is of preeminent significance, from the international perspective as well. We agreed to examine the possibility of organising a collective meeting of top experts in this field, from climate studies to civil engineering. The Delta Programme links many aspects, involving both fundamental science and applied science. We had a valuable meeting in the lovely premises of the KNAW on the Kloveniersburgwal in Amsterdam. This is a neighbourhood where I spent six years of my student days and it therefore felt a little bit like ‘coming home’ for me.
On Tuesday, I took part in an ‘About Climate’ round-table talk led by Inge Diepman and organised by DHV. A publication will follow. It was a constructive talk with many different points of view and approaches. In the evening, I spoke about the Delta programme and sustainability to the Soroptimists in Nieuwkoop (that lies some 5 metres below normal water level). An inspiring meeting with a great deal of involvement.
On Thursday, I talked with the programme directors about the Delta Programme knowledge agenda and we evaluated the past six months. This week I also exchanged ideas about making a photograph album about the Delta Programme and consulted about making a film on the Delta Programme. The power of images should not be underestimated.
Finally, I spoke to my staff about the progress of the recommendations on/research into the Kierbesluit Haringvliet, the decision to leave the Haringvliet sluices partially open, that the ministers involved and the executive councillors of Zuid Holland have requested me to draw up. Once again, it was an exciting and colourful week with a lot of orange...