multifunctional land use - European Centre for River Restoration

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS ON FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL LAND USE IN RIVER CATCHMENTS
2. Flood prevention and nature development in 12 pilot projects
As mentioned in the introduction, one of the main objectives of the SDF project is to contribute to
nature development and sustainable nature conservation. The pilot actions that are part of the SDF
project all contribute to the European policy of NATURA 2000: conservation and restoration of the
biodiversity in the EU. The SDF project contributes to the survival of specific habitat type and (bird)
species which are protected in the Bird Directive and the Habitat Directive.
The projects in The Netherlands are essential in the creation of the Ecological Main Structure. Some
pilot projects are part of the programme of nature development in the Dutch River region which will
result in 7000 hectares of river related nature development.
In all the projects during the planning phase and executing phase there are possibilities to link different
interests and objectives. With measures aiming at flood prevention, especially those with a spatial
character, it is almost always possible to create conditions for nature development and improvement of
the landscape qualities. These new qualities result in added value for recreational use of the area in
which the measures take place but often too for the wider region. By a smart use of possibilities for
mineral extraction there are in some projects also chances for extra revenues that lead to lower
investments by the responsible government.
For this reasons flood prevention measures almost never are measures with a one-sided approach but
are parts of an integral approach for a whole area.
The SDF project implements different types of flood prevention measures combined with different
types of nature development or nature restoration.
2.1 Dyke relocation
Examples are Hondsbroeksche Pleij in The Netherlands and Lohrwardt and Kirschgartshausen in Germany.
2.1.1 Hondsbroeksche Pleij
In this project a dyke will be relocated approximately 150 - 250 metres land inward which will result in
120 hectares new floodplain area. In this new floodplain a side channel will be constructed as well as a
river marsh. At this moment this area is used by farmers. In the future a nature organisation will be
responsible for the management. When the project is completed, conditions are created for development
of different types of nature and landscape elements that are characteristic for floodplains with a
frequent flooding.
Figure 1. Future situation at Hondsbroeksche Pleij.
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