Follow-up on sediment management in the Ems-Dollard region: German-Dutch collaboration a success
How can we reduce excess sediment (silt) in the Ems-Dollard region to boost the ecology and climate resilience of the estuary? To answer this question, the Netherlands and Germany have been working together on sediment management since 2019. The refined ecology strategy for sediment management was signed this week.
Signatories were the Lower-Saxon Environment Minister, Christian Meyer, the Dutch under-secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Jean Rummenie, the head of the directorate-general for Waterways and Shipping, Eric Oelmann, the managing director of Rijkswaterstaat Northern Netherlands, Joost de Ruig and Groningen provincial representative, Leo Wenneger, who represents Ecologie en Economie in Balans in the Ems Delta. This sets out the next steps for the future of this cross-border collaboration.
Undersecretary Jean Rummenie of the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature:
'I am happy that we can continue this fruitful collaboration with our neighbours to the east in the Ems-Dollard region. The large quantities of silt in the Ems-Dollard mean that nature quality in the estuary is at risk. Removing this silt from the water and reusing it to strengthen dikes and raise low-lying agricultural land means that we can create a win-win situation. We are improving standards of nature, supporting agriculture and also increasing our security. So there are plenty reasons for us to commit to this process.'
Refined strategy
The refined ecological strategy for sediment management incorporates an action plan to develop a common understanding of the ecosystem, the implementation of cross-border projects, the common search for ecologically-optimised sites for spreading dredging waste and solutions to legal impediments to the implementation of projects. It also envisages the creation of an estuary-wide monitoring programme.
For instance, we are initiating a project to restore the 'Hond-Paap' sand bar so that it can grow dynamically, as the sea level rises. The sand bars of the Wadden Sea are of great importance as birds forage for food on them.
Managing director of Rijkswaterstaat Northern Netherlands, Joost de Ruig:
'The ecological strategy for sediment management touches directly on Rijkswaterstaat's core tasks, that is to say accessibility, water security, water quality and ecology. Good accessibility and water security are not possible without a balanced water system and an ecosystem that, at the same time, offers opportunities for nature and nature development. As the challenges facing the use of the Ems estuary increase, it is good to expand the collaborative work with our eastern neighbours. Increased integration is the ethos behind this.'
The aim: less floating silt
High levels of floating sediment and the formation of thick films of liquid sludge have an adverse impact on the ecology of the Ems estuary. Germany and the Netherlands have therefore set themselves the goal of reducing the concentrations of floating sediment. The target for the ecological sediment strategy is particularly focused on improving the ecology and the water quality, optimising the necessary maintenance work and boosting the estuary's resilience in the face of climate change, such as the expected rise in sea levels.
More information
More information about the context of the ecological strategy for sediment management can be found at the website Eems-Dollard 2050.
