On Monday 16 December 2019, Stichting Holwerd aan Zee, Vogelbescherming Nederland, the Province of Friesland, the Municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân and Wetterskip Fryslân jointly signed an agreement of intent to move the ‘Holwerd aan Zee’ project towards realisation. With the signing of this agreement, the actual implementation of this groundbreaking project is a considerable step closer.
By signing the letter of intent, the parties agree to prepare the second phase of the Holwerd aan Zee project together. This concerns the actual layout of the area, such as the access channel through the salt marsh, the lock in the sea dike, the tidal lake, nesting islands, a boulevard and space for nature and recreation. Including an ecological connection to the hinterland.
Other cooperating parties
Rijkswaterstaat and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works are important cooperating parties. The agreements with these partners run parallel to this letter of intent. We work together with all partners to ensure the efficient use of resources in the region. But it is also looking into the possibility of linking up with other projects, such as the planned improvement of the Koehool-Lauwersmeer dyke.
Final design
A lot of preliminary investigations have been done. These were necessary to give the parties sufficient support to take this next step in the process. The activities agreed in the agreement will lead to a final design and project planning in 2020. By then, agreements will also be made between the parties about roles and tasks in the implementation and management of Holwerd aan Zee. A good design is also very important for the permit procedures.
Holwerd aan Zee is approaching
Earlier this year, together with the Waddenvereniging and It Fryske Gea, the Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds received 15 million euros from the Dream Fund of the Postcode Lottery for Holwerd aan Zee. The Province of Friesland and the Municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân have also jointly reserved 15 million euros. Last month an application was submitted to the Wadden Fund. Next spring it will become clear whether the State, partly from the North-East Friesland Regional Balance, will cover the remaining gap in the budget. This brings the implementation of the second phase of Holwerd aan Zee ever closer. (Source: www.nefnijs.nl)