Outcome
The legal implications of the new risk approach vary according to circumstances in the individual case, but the balance between a lawful, efficient, effective, and acceptable approach must be ensured. This project provided advice regarding the transition of the safety standards in the Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet) and its legal framework to assess lawful, efficient, effective, and acceptable water management. Several academic and professional papers on the legal implementation of the new flood risk standards show the contribution to the overall All-Risk project such as the book on Foreshores focussing on legal implementation. Finally, all this knowledge was shared via workshops and webinars with the end-users focussing amongst others on flood risk management related to other policy fields, such as nature reservation.
Members of the team (left to right): Herman Kasper Gilissen, Frank Groothuijse, Willemijn v. Doorn-Hoekveld and Marleen v. Rijswick. Monica Lanz (in the contact details)
Motivation and practical challenge
As a team, we are tackling questions that arise regarding the ‘Water Act’ (Waterwet) and the future ‘Environment and Planning Act’ (Omgevingswet). This legislation regulates the general use and management of water for the whole of the Netherlands and particularly the implementation of the new flood protection standards. Our interest lies within the way the government gives shape to its related public tasks, and the way laws and regulations protect the various interests of stakeholders. The legal challenges for the implementation often derive from the conflicting responsibilities between stakeholders. In addition to this, there is a need for a more integrated flood protection balancing between lawfulness, effectiveness, efficiency and acceptability. The research for All-Risk has, therefore, a special meaning for us since it involves the safety of all the people in the Netherlands that live behind dikes. We feel honoured to contribute to this purpose!
Research challenge
With this interest in mind, our research focuses on investigating which kind of legal obligation do the new flood protection standards imply for the Dutch water authorities. Moreover, which legal strategies can they apply to contribute to its implementation?
Components of our research approach. The top scheme was adapted from the Handreiking Voorlanden document. Source photos: left by https://eemsdollard2050.nl/ and right by Marleen van Rijswick.
Innovative components
We provide a decision tool to outline the legal strategies for water authorities to allow areas adjacent to the dikes or levees contribute to flood risk protection (top figure). The choice between an active, passive or no regulation strategy hugely depends on: (1) The effect of the foreshore on the water safety, and (2) the developments of these areas that may increase flood risk like natural physical processes and human activities. Depending on the circumstances, the choice can be implemented through public law (regulations) or civil law (contracts).
In the ‘Double dike’ case (Dubbele Dijk on the bottom-left photo) we advised the Regional Water Authority Noorderzijlvest on the distribution of legal responsibilities. This is an innovative case that will be part of a reinforcement on the north Dutch coast and is not only suitable for flood safety but also for nature, agriculture and recreation. Via interactive workshops (bottom-right photo), we further provide general advice along with other legal specialists of our program (Soppe Gundelach Advocaten and Element Advocaten) to implementation cases derived from the AllRisk projects (A to D).
Relevant for whom and where?
Our research is relevant for all users with legal responsibilities in flood protection (such as regional and national water authorities, provinces and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management). They can use our findings to handle their duties lawfully.
Locations of the main implementation cases that we advise.
Progress and practical application
There is a difference between the obligation to make an effort to reach the flood protection standards, and the obligation to achieve the flood protection standards. Our study of the (new) legislation found that the Dutch water authorities must meet the flood protection standards. Only a few exceptions are provided by law. This obligation ensures the legal certainty (including clarity about the liability of the government).
Our guiding framework builds upon existing assessment methods and design principles for resilient, resource-efficient and legitimate flood risk governance. So far, the advice for the Project-transcending explorations (POV Voorlanden) resulted in a legal document (Juridisch Achtergronddocument Voorlanden) and a contribution to the Forelands guide (Handreiking Voorlanden). If you are interested in more legal aspects of the implementation of the new risk-based approach, we invite you to click on the related outputs!
Recommendations for practice
- In flood risk management, it is important to find a good balance between (legal) certainty and flexibility to stimulate innovations.
- For concrete projects the aim (how to comply with the standards) needs to be identified, legal responsibilities of authorities should be clear and the authorities must know the available policy instruments.
- In many cases, the law is approached with fear, although the law provides enough room to manoeuvre to realise a diversity of innovative projects.
Last modified: 29/11/2021
Contributing researchers
Monica Lanz
Utrecht University
Willemijn van Doorn-Hoekveld
Utrecht University
Contributing partners
New flood safety standards and legal considerations
By looking into the questions of practice, we highlight building blocks that the law offers to improve water safety.
Monica Lanz
Utrecht University
Willemijn van Doorn-Hoekveld
Utrecht University
View storyline Project outputs
Advies om de juridische status van waterveiligheidsnormen onder de omgevingswet
Current law does not provide a clear answer to decisive questions that exist in practice, but usually this does not hinder the realization of such an innovation.
28/11/2020 by Willemijn van Doorn-Hoekveld et al.
Bevat: Report
Handreiking Voorlanden en Juridische aandachtspunten
Using the coastal or riverine areas next to the flood defenses may bring benefits beyond flood risk reduction but also several legal questions. Some of these questions were addressed into a decision tool that is part of the foreland guideline.
05/04/2018 by Herman Kasper Gilissen et al.
Bevat: Report
Kroniek aansprakelijkheid en schadevergoeding in het waterbeheer
Damage claims and water management are therefore inextricably linked. Both liability and compensation as a result of an unlawful and a lawful act are discussed. We will also indicate for each sub-topic which changes will be brought about by the Environmental Act, the entry into force of which is still envisaged on 1 January 2021.
24/03/2020 by Willemijn van Doorn-Hoekveld et al.
Bevat: Publication upon journal access
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse & J. Kevelam, ‘Kroniek aansprakelijkheid en schadevergoeding in het waterbeheer’, Overheid en Aansprakelijkheid 2020/5, p. 11-25.
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse & H.F.M.W. van Rijswick (2020) ‘La gestion du risque d’inondation aux Pays-Bas: une touche d’innovation sur une solide base de tradition et d’expertise‘, Pour Mémoire 21.
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse, H.F.M.W. van Rijswick, ‘Je maintiendrai! Met de wettelijke normering van waterveiligheid in Nederland’, Tijdschrift voor Omgevingsrecht en Omgevingsbeleid 2019:2, p. 155-164.
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse, H.F.M.W. van Rijswick, ‘Meer zoden aan de dijk met de resultaatgerichte normering van waterveiligheid in de Omgevingswet’, Tijdschrift voor Bouwrecht 2019/165.
- H.K. Gilissen, W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, bijdrage aan ‘H.6 Juridische Borging’ (p. 82-89) bijdrage in: N. Roode, B. Maaskant & M. Boon, Voorlanden, Krimpen aan den IJssel: Efficiëntia 2019.
- H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse, W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld &. H.F.M.W. van Rijswick, ‘De nieuwe systematiek van veiligheidsnormering voor primaire waterkeringen: niet eenvoudiger, wel beter’, Tijdschrift voor Bouwrecht 2017/142.
Advisory reports
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse & H.F.M.W. van Rijswick (18-02-2019), ‘Advies: Beheer ‘tussengebied’ van het project dubbele dijk’, Utrecht Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law, Utrecht University.
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, F.A.G. Groothuijse, H.K. Gilissen & H.F.M.W. van Rijswick (14-05-2018), ‘Juridische quick scan: uitzonderingen bij waterveiligheidsnormen in het besluit kwaliteit leefomgeving’, Utrecht Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law, Utrecht University.
- W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld, H.K. Gilissen, F.A.G. Groothuijse & H.F.M.W. van Rijswick (01-02-2018), ‘Advies: De juridische status van waterveiligheidsnormen onder de omgevingswet, een inventarisatie van voor- en nadelen van een kwalificatie als resultaats- of inspanningsverplichting’, Utrecht Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law, Utrecht University.
- H.K. Gilissen, W.J. van Doorn-Hoekveld &. H.F.M.W. van Rijswick (05-04-2018), ‘Voorland en veiligheid – Juridische aandachtspunten bij het betrekken van voorlanden in de beoordeling, het ontwerp en het beheer van primaire waterkeringen’, Utrecht Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law, Utrecht University.
Blogs
What is the legal transition about?
18/06/2020 by Monica Lanz
Following the blog about the risk-based approach, here we provide insights into the coming 'Omgevingswet' or Environment and Planning Act. This new framework makes...
Events
13/10/2021
Reflection: Looking beyond reinforcement
Implementing large-scale infrastructure projects for flood risk management requires good collaboration between water authorities, municipalities, landowners and societal organisations.
17/05/2021
Reflection: Double Dikes, twice the protection with twice the responsibility?
During the All-Risk webinar, the questions were discussed on how a double (twin) dike can contribute to flood risk protection, and what the division of water management responsibilities between goverments is regarding this concept. In the reflection below you will find what has emerged from the discussion between science and practice.
News
Your opinion matters to understand the governance of flood protection projects - Ongoing survey
28/09/2020 by Emma Avoyan
Are you currently involved you in or have knowledge about one the projects of Dutch Flood Protection Program (HWBP in Dutch)? Then, you can...
Updates about the Dutch Environment and Planning Act
01/04/2020 by Monica Lanz
Developments happen fast in the field of Dutch Environment and Planning Law and have implications for the flood risk safety-norms, instruments and procedures. Here...
