Punt van Voorne
Participating parties
Natuurmonumenten (Nature Conservation), Waterschap Hollandse Delta (Water Board Hollandse Delta), Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat (Mininstry of Transport and Public Works)
Project description
Due to the (artificial) reinforcement of the natural movement of sand, the dune area at the Punt van Voorne can more effectively resist rising sea levels. It is important to gain experience with this innovative approach, because it is expected to be a suitable tool for many other locations along the Dutch coast.
The project covers 200 hectares and is already in progress.
More dunes and beaches
Sand erosion at the Punt van Voorne is especially acute due to its pointed shape. As a result, large amounts of sand are being pumped onto the beach between the Punt van Voorne and Rockanje. Ultimately, the beach will gain one metre in height. An additional range of dunes, 130-metre wide, is also being built. In the course of time, natural processes will cause it to gradually crumble away.
The unnatural sea-buckthorn vegetation in the dunes bordering the North Sea will be removed, as will the silt-containing, sandy substratum in the current dunes. As a result, there will be more sand movement between shallow sea water, beach, the front dune line and the back dunes.
Exciting sea defence
A larger and wider beach and dune area, as well as the restoration of old paths, will increase the options for recreational development and use. The dynamic and natural character of the sea defence, and the animals and plants this will attract, will result in a more abundant number of species and make it more exciting for nature lovers.
Feasibility
The beach area and range of dunes belong to the Waterschap Hollandse Delta and Natuurmonumenten. The project is being financed by the Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, the Ministerie van VROM (Ministry of Housing, Special Planning and the Environment), the Waterschap Hollandse Delta and Natuurmonumenten. The public is generally extremely positive about the plans, particularly due to the additional recreational options.
