Wieringerrandmeer
The Wieringerrandmeer or bordering lake of Wieringen is a project of the Dutch province of North Holland and the (former) municipalities of Wieringen and Wieringermeer (since 2012 both municipalities are part of the new municipality of Hollands Kroon) for the creation of islands and a bordering lake. The project was cancelled in 2010.
History
Wieringen has been connected to the mainland since 1924. This land is used, among other things, for housing and agriculture. However, in the mid-90s, at the initiative of Wieringen, a project to restore its insular character by creating a bordering lake between North Holland and the polder Wieringermeer. The authorities of North Holland agreed.
The Wieringerrandmeer would be part of an ensemble including the Amstelmeer, the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea. The province of North Holland and others, united in Wieringerrandmeer, want this major project. This would "boost economic and social development" for business, and bring the benefits of a recreational lake, which is taken up by the slogan the Experience of the lake.[1]
Development
In 2003, the province of North Holland, the various municipalities and the Water Board of the Netherlands published a contest for an overall project for the region. Five consortia attended. Wirense, who won consists of Volker Wessels and Boskalis could participate in the project and should take joint responsibility. This led to the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between governments and the selected consortium. On March 5, 2007, the public-private partnership (PPP) between the government (provincial and municipal) and operators (Boskalis, Volker Wessels) for the construction of Wieringerrandmeer ended. Subsequently, the planning and preparations will be processed in more detail. On December 19th, 2007, the executive of North Holland approved the project.
The project was approved by the Steering Committee Wieringerrandmeer the province, municipalities, Wirense group. The National Forest areas and the water board will be involved.
Planning
According to the original schedule the physical construction scheduled to begin in summer 2010. It was expected to create the lake in five years, but the work could last until around 2030, when all the objectives would be met.
Nature
With the construction of Wieringerrandmeer continuity could be established between the IJsselmeer and Amstelmeer as far as forests, water bodies and reedbeds are concerned. This continuity of natural parts of the provincial ecological structure, was called the Northern Arc.
Facts
The total area of 1600 ha is planned, including 250 ha for housing. The total surface area of water is about 860 ha. The total area of over 400 hectares of new nature. 128 ha of forest plantations with new surrounding residential areas.
Opposition and alternatives
Not everyone is enthusiastic about the project Wieringerrandmeer. Thirty farms in Wieringen and Wieringermeer would be closed. Farmers would often forced to move away. Municipalities and counties say that the future of agriculture in this region is uncertain, farmers are skeptical about that. In addition, the water balance would be altered in the region, and this would probably have a negative impact on agricultural land.
June 27, 2008 The other Wieringerrandmeer presented an alternative plan between residents and farmers gathered in environmental organizations. The flooded area would be reduced, fewer homes would be built and they would be closer to the lake and fewer farms should move. Some luxury items, such as the creation the Zuiderhaven lock between the Amstelmeer and the IJsselmeer would be removed. Discussions on Wierings concluded that it is not necessary to build a large lake on the edge of North-Holland.
The final decision
On November 3, 2010 the Gedeputeerde staten of North Holland canceled the project for financial reasons, on November 15 the States-Provincial of the Netherlands confirmed the decision.