Delta Decisions
The Delta Programme uses a cohesive approach to finding solutions. There is no other alternative: our water system is an inter-related whole and the issues and measures involved in water safety and the freshwater supply are strongly connected via flood barriers and water-level management. For example, increasing the storage capacity of lakes in order to keep the freshwater supply up to standard could lead to higher water levels in the IJsselmeer. To guarantee safety, the flood barriers should subsequently be modified. There is also a strong relationship with the way in which we build. Spatial planning can contribute to limiting the consequences of flooding and thus contribute to safety. In short, it is essential to use an integrated approach when tackling the issues of safety, the water supply and the role that spatial planning can play in resolving those issues. The Delta Programme is doing this via five key Delta Decisions that have a great impact on the future of our country. These Delta Decisions will be presented to parliament in 2014.
Delta Decision on Water Safety
Delta Decision on Water Safety: new safety standards for dikes and region-oriented strategies for tackling safety issues. The issue of safety for the mid to long term consists of three elements:
1. The issue arising from the Safety Assessment of primary flood barriers with due consideration for new technical insights. For the short term, this involves the conclusions of the third Safety Assessment.
2. The issue arising from a rise in sea level, subsidence and possible changes in river discharges.
3. The possible issue arising from the updating of the water safety standards.
The Delta Decision on Water Safety is an important basis for the cohesive water safety programme that was announced in the Bestuursakkoord Water [National Administrative Agreement on Water Affairs]. Together with the proposal for the Delta Decisions in 2014, a water safety programme will be submitted as part of the Delta Programme.
Delta Decision on the Freshwater Strategy
Delta Decision on the Freshwater Strategy: the way in which we can structure our freshwater supply in a sustainable and economically effective manner. The strategy for a sustainable freshwater supply:
• Provides insight into freshwater supply and demand as well as water safety.
• Sets down the possibilities for saving water, optimum distribution of water and the future service level in relation to functions and the impact of this on these functions.
• Clarifies the division of responsibilities across the government, the market and users.
Delta Decision on the Management of the Water Level of the IJsselmeer Region
Delta Decision on the Management of the Water Level of the IJsselmeer Region: strategy for managing the water level of the IJsselmeer. The strategy is linked to:
• the issue of safety in the region in the short and long term.
• the role of the IJsselmeer in the national freshwater strategy for the same timeframe.
Delta Decision on the Rhine-Meuse Delta
Delta Decision on the Rhine-Meuse Delta: strategy for protecting this essential transfer area of our delta in which river and sea come together, including solutions to the problem of the freshwater supply. The Rhine-Meuse delta is an area of large rivers, the Rhine Estuary-Drechtsteden and the South-western Delta.
Delta Decision on Spatial Adaptation
Delta Decision on Spatial Adaptation: the way in which cities and towns should and can take water into consideration in spatial planning. The aim is to avoid passing on costs and problems – now and in the future – by providing clarity regarding the use of regional planning, among other things.
The water issues cannot be handled in isolation from social, economic and ecological developments. For that reason, the water issues are tackled using an integrated region-oriented approach in which possibilities are sought for linking up with economic and ecological developments and ambitions. The issues themselves are the decisive factor in this regard.