Future prospects for silting Haringvliet estuary
The coastal area in the Haringvliet estuary can develop naturally, with nature and economy going hand in hand. This has a positive effect on nature and water safety and also offers new opportunities for recreation. It is therefore not an option to prevent natural development. This is stated in a future perspective commissioned by ten collaborating parties.
Silting
The Haringvliet estuary is silting up. Already in many places you can walk very far into the sea before you are waist-deep in water. This development has consequences for nature, the character of the beach area, recreational opportunities, economy and water safety. A study conducted in 2022, commissioned by the ten cooperating parties, showed that silting in this area will continue unabated in the coming years. The results of this study prompted them to draw up a future perspective for the various subareas.
Content future perspective
Natural development can create a beautiful tidal flats with sandbars, mudflats and salt marshes. This development protects the coast from high tides. Wadden formation also offers new opportunities for recreation and activity in the area. A promising example is connecting recreation and tourism with the special wadden nature, fishing and agriculture. This means that ports, agriculture, fishing and tourism will continue to be important drivers of the economy in the Haringvliet estuary in the future. Good connections between the most interesting places for recreation, are important here. The future perspective looks ahead to 2060 and also indicates the actions needed to realize it. The perspective is not set in stone; the proposed opportunities will be further elaborated in the follow-up process with stakeholders from the sectors of recreation, maritime cluster and nature.
Collaboration
The future perspective was developed on behalf of the municipalities Voorne aan Zee and Goeree-Overflakkee, water board Hollandse Delta, Province of South Holland, Rijkswaterstaat, Recreatieschap Voorne-Putten, Natuurmonumenten, Zuid-Hollands Landschap and the Port of Rotterdam, and supported by the municipality of Nissewaard. Together, these parties want the Haringvliet estuary to remain an attractive and livable area in which to live, work and recreate. Representatives from the recreation, nature and maritime cluster sectors made an important contribution to the development of the future perspective.
The final products of the vision development can be found on the Voorne aan Zee council information system website. Select from the calendar February 5 Meeting of council: Sanding Haringvliet estuary.