Summaries
Ecology and Environmental Planning
Since 1971 a division for Ecology and
Environmental Planning has been included in
the Delta Service of Rijkswaterstaat; just in time
to become actively involved in the
decision-making regarding the storm surge
barrier in the Oosterschelde.
The principle of this division is, that the
recommendations regarding the planning of the
environment must be based on integrated
ecological research. Research and consultation
have been separated organisationally to
facilitate collaboration with other sections and
departments.
This introductory article provides further insight
into the contents of this issue, which covers the
theme: 'Ecology and Environmental Planning'.
Ecological concern within the Delta Plan
In order to carefully support the Delta Service
with ecological problems, the work of the
environmental section is divided into four
distinct phases, i.e. the preparation, the design,
the execution and the post-care. During all four
phases, running parallel with the progress of
the civil engineering works, advice and support
are to be given by experts in the ecological field.
To obtain adequate ecological
recommendations, which will be incorporated
in the decision-making, research into the
eco-system by ecologists during all stages will
be indispensable. The plans indicating how to
control the area after the Delta works are
completed are of vital importance: only then
will it be known what developments can evolve
from this newly created situation.
Ecological assistance during the progress of tf i
works
The ecologists will bear equal responsibility fo
careful implementation of the Delta Plan.
Various examples can be cited which clearly
show that to-day's ecological motives have
influenced the manner of executing the civil
engineering works.
This has become especially apparent in the
lay-out and harmonious blending into the
scenery of dams and other civil engineering
structures and the landscaping around the site
where spoil is dumped or sand reclaimed,
activities inevitably related to large hydraulic
engineering works.
Planning and managing the Oosterschelde are
When the dams and barrier are completed, the
surface area of the Oosterschelde will be
decreased by 25 per cent, the intertidal area by
45 per cent and the mud-flat area will even be 0
per cent smaller than at present. An integral
management policy forthe area has been set
up to ensure that the Oosterschelde will
function as an entity. This policy will be
implemented in three stages: the first one fror
1980-1985, thus until the barrier is completed
the second one from 1985-1990, the stabilizin
period and the third one after 1990, the period
forfurtherdevelopments. The integral policy
consists e.g. of a plan for environmental
planningandaplanfor research and possible
corrective measures. Annually, evaluations wi I
be made regarding the progress of the
developments in the area.
These will indicate in particularthe effect of
human intervention in the eco-system.
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