Preferred strategy for the Coast

Sand nourishment

The sand on the Dutch coast provides natural protection against the sea. Because of the action of the tides, wind, waves and currents, sand is continuously lost to the sea. To maintain the protection afforded by the beaches and dunes, Rijkswaterstaat strengthens the coast with millions of cubic metres of sand annually. Those nourishment operations maintain a structural equilibrium in the amount of sand in the coastal foundation. The volume of sand used will have to increase to allow coastal accretion in line with accelerating sea level rise. 

Flood risk management

The principle underlying the flood risk management strategy on the coast is ‘soft where possible, hard where needed’. In this case, ‘soft’ means using sand nourishment to contribute to an appealing coast with opportunities for nature, leisure and tourism. 

This strategy is based on the National Vision for the Coast from 2013: a safe, appealing and economically strong coast. Parties work together to connect the agenda for flood risk management and spatial ambitions, with tailored solutions for each location. Collaboration is organised in part through the Coastal Pact from 2017, in which government authorities, nature organisations, the leisure sector and drinking water companies describe the various coastal assets. They also set out how they will shape the future development of, in particular, buildings on beaches on the coast for leisure purposes. The agreements are set out for each coastal province in the respective provincial ordinances, which include maps.  

Second periodical evaluation of the preferred strategy for the Coast

The second periodical evaluation explores the option of transforming the current preferred strategy of the Coast Delta Programme into a preferred strategy for the Coast of Holland. This preferred strategy will complement the preferred strategy for the Southwest Delta and the Wadden Area. This will also affect the membership of the National Coast Knowledge Group (LKK) and the National Coast Consultation Platform (LOK). 

The periodical evaluation of the preferred strategy empathizes strengthening the future coastal foundation, building on the principles of the current preferred strategy and the flood risk management agenda as a starting point. The Coast of Holland region is looking as much as possible at integrated bespoke solutions such as multifunctional dune zones, with a stronger emphasis on long-term opportunities for drinking water and freshwater supplies, nature and leisure activities.