Ga naar hoofdmenu / zoekveld

  1. Home 
  2. Topics 
  3. The Delta Programme

The Delta Programme

The Delta Programme Commissioner is a Government Commissioner charged with drawing up, updating and implementing the Delta Programme on behalf of the cabinet. Wim Kuijken is the first Delta Programme Commissioner. The Delta Programme involves the long-term safety of our country and its freshwater supply and is the result of the recommendations of the Veerman Commission (2008). The programme contains measures and provisions for water safety and the freshwater supply including the planning for this and a (rough) estimate of the costs. Where possible, the measures set down in the Delta Programme have been elaborated in an integrated manner, which means that when drawing up the Delta Programme links were sought with the policy objectives of other policy areas such as nature and spatial planning quality. Global climate change demands that dramatic measures be taken to guarantee the control of water levels and a supply of freshwater for the long term (at least until 2100).

Background

The current policy aimed at protecting the Netherlands against flooding has its basis in the 1950s. After the flood disaster of 1953, hard work was done on the safety of our country. However, the circumstances in the Netherlands have changed significantly over the past decades. The dikes now have to offer safety to many more inhabitants and on top of this, the economic value of our country is many times greater now than it was then. Moreover, great store is set by landscape, nature and cultural-historical values. Furthermore, our knowledge of flood risks (probability and consequences) has increased greatly over the course of time. 

In addition, the predicted climate change will bring with it new challenges for water management in the near and distant future. Account must be taken of further global warming and a rise in sea level. The expectation is that the extremes in river discharges (very high or very low water levels) will increase. High discharges and heavy rainfall mean a greater probability of problems with water and flooding. And the combination of a rise in sea level and drought can lead to salination and problems with the freshwater supply. All these factors demand a new vision and approach regarding water safety and the safeguarding of an adequate supply of freshwater. 

In 2008, the cabinet set up a commission chaired by former minister Cees Veerman. The Delta Commission made recommendations on the ways in which our country needs to improve water safety and its freshwater supply in the century ahead, taking into account climatological and social developments. Although the water problem is not acute for the Netherlands, it is urgent.   

The recommendations of the Delta Commission pertained to the safety level of the Netherlands in a general sense, construction at unfavourable locations  (places with a real chance of becoming flooded), areas where there are serious problems (the North Sea coast, Wadden region, South-western Delta, the Rivers region, the Rhine Estuary and the IJsselmeer region) and the related administrative, organisational and financial aspects.  

The most important recommendation of the Commission was that a Delta Act should be drawn up. This will be submitted to the Lower House in the spring of 2010. The Delta Act sets down the following: 

  • that a Delta Programme will be drawn up;
  • the role of the Delta Programme Commissioner;
  • the Delta Fund and its feeding.
Back to top

Relationship to the National Water Plan

In December 2009, the cabinet set out het Nationaal Waterplan [the National Water Plan]. This plan outlines the policies the state will implement in the period from 2009 to 2015 in order to achieve sustainable water management. The National Water Plan focuses on flood protection, a sufficient supply of clean water and various forms of water use. The measures to be used in this regard are also set down. The National Water Plan is the follow-up to the  Fourth National Policy Memorandum on Water Management of 1998 and replaces all previous water management policy memoranda.

Back to top

Delta Programme

The outlines of the national water policy are set out in the National Water Plan together with the related aspects of the national spatial planning policy. However, the plan only covers a period of six years. The measures set down in the Delta Programme contribute to the realisation of the policy set down in the National Water Plan for the subjects of water safety and freshwater supply. Water safety and freshwater supply, as outlined in the recommendations of the Veerman Commission, are not matters that are relevant only to the near future. They are issues to which attention will have to be paid in the longer term as well (until 2100). The Delta Programme thus looks further ahead than only six years. For this reason, the legislative proposal contains the obligation to include a long-term vision in the National Water Plan regarding the desired developments in connection with water safety and freshwater supply, with a view to the predicted climate change, socio-economic developments and the changing opinions of civil society.

Back to top

Delta Fund

To finance all the measures and provisions for water safety and freshwater supply, a Delta Fund will be set up. The fund will include the expenditure of the state on the construction, improvement, management, maintenance and operation of water management structures with a view to water safety and freshwater supply – and the related water quality management. The expenditures for the related basic information and research also fall under the fund. A budget will be allocated annually to the Delta Fund from the general resources. The Delta Programme will be implemented using this budget. Whether or not the fund can be fed in other ways, for example with funds from the European Union, will also be looked into.

Back to top

Delta Programme Commissioner

The Delta Programme Commissioner directs the Delta Programme that falls under the  political responsibility of the coordinating member of the administration, the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. He is also the primary consultant for the Delta Programme among the members of the Ministerial Steering Group that is chaired by the Prime Minister.  The Ministerial Steering Group includes representatives from the ministries of: Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), Economic Affairs (EZ) and Finance.

Back to top

Sub-programmes

The Delta Programme comprises 9 sub-programmes, three of which are integrated and apply to the whole of the Netherlands. The other six sub-programmes involve specific regions. The Delta Programme is very broad and involves many authorities and other organisations. The Delta Programme Commissioner is to ensure that the Delta Programme is realised. The Delta Commissioner falls under the political responsibility of the coordinating member of the administration, the Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. 

The integrated sub-programmes are:

  • Safety;
  • Freshwater;
  • New-construction developments and restructuring.  

The regional sub-programmes are:

  • Rhine Estuary-Drechtsteden;
  • South-western Delta;
  • IJsselmeer Region;
  • Rivers;
  • Coast;
  • Wadden Region.
Back to top

More information

Hoofdmenu