General Board meets on September 24

Exotic species policy

Like other water authorities, Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is increasingly struggling with invasive alien species in its management area. Alien species are plants or animal species that do not occur naturally in a habitat but have been introduced there by human activity. Examples include giant hogweed and the American crayfish. Some of these exotic species threaten native biodiversity and our goals for clean and healthy water, or make it difficult to properly maintain and manage our waterways and infrastructure. The general board has been asked to approve an updated policy. The policy describes how the water authority intends to prevent and limit the presence of exotic species. The focus is primarily on combating giant hogweed, as this is the species that has caused us the most problems to date.

Water level decisions for Fivelingo basin and Spijkster pumps

The Fivelingoboezem and Spijksterpompen water level decisions mark the conclusion of the Implementation Program for Water Level Decisions on Land Subsidence, under which nine water level decisions have been drawn up since 2018 for areas with more than 10 cm of land subsidence due to gas extraction. Establishing water level management in the Fivelingoboezem and Spijksterpompen drainage area contributes to a well-functioning, future-proof, and climate-resilient water system. The WFD tasks in the area were also carefully considered. The general board has been asked to adopt the water level decisions. This means maintaining the current target levels in almost the entire area, introducing dynamic water level management, and implementing a package of measures to enable effective water level management in order to counteract the effects of salinization. The measures involve a budget of €4,980,000, for which the Land Subsidence Commission has pledged a contribution of €3,120,000.

WFD measures Eelderdiep

Plans have been developed based on the Water Framework Directive to improve the water quality of the Eelderdiep by restoring the upper reaches of the Eelderdiep to their natural state and making the lower reaches fish-friendly. In 2018, the general board approved an exploratory phase and made credit available. The exploratory phase has now been completed. One of the conclusions is that the project needs to be expanded geographically and has also become more complex in terms of content. At the meeting on September 24, the general board will be asked to reassess the previously made available credit and to make €2,268,000 available for the further preparation and implementation of the proposed measures in the Eelderdiep stream system. It is expected that this credit can be covered in large part by subsidies. The measures are aimed at restoring the stream, combating desiccation, redesigning the Runsloot and Stroetenloop, and thus ensuring the desired good ecological status in the Eelderdiep. The integrated plan is in line with our objectives within the Kop van Drenthe area approach.