accordingly. The board members of WGS are generally associated with different
groups or parties. There may be barriers to change when they go against the
interests of the various organizations.
Strategies and instruments are also assessed as neutral in flexibility. As discussed
earlier, the water authorities and the NMO have different opinions on the timing of
the irrigation policy. The NMO defended a policy that would integrate all concerns
and knowledge from the beginning, where the water authorities opted for starting
the execution of the policy and adjusting later, if necessary. The water authorities
took this decision based on the argument that the 200-m zone can be changed in the
coming years if it proves to be too large or too small for some nature areas. The
water authorities are also open to changes that can result from the implementation
of other policies such as the Natura 2000. Water authorities and the provinces have
the possibility to address the necessary changes in the five-year Water Management
Plan.
Finally, the flexibility of responsibilities and resources is also assessed as neutral. The line between the practical responsibilities of the water authorities and those
of the province is not always as sharp as it is on paper. The national Water Act,
enacted in 2009, states the actors that are responsible for the different aspects of
water management and draws the boundaries of responsibilities. However, for
specific cases in the field, it is sometimes unclear whether the province and/or the
water authority is responsible. Regarding water use at the farm level, the new
irrigation regulation enables a flexible distribution of responsibilities. Instead of
general irrigation bans imposed by the water authorities, the farmers are able to
control water use according to the flow of water through the weirs. However, as
mentioned above, this might cause discussions between the water authorities and
the farmers, in case the farmers decide to take water when the water flows from the
weir. In contrast to the very high degree of flexibility in terms of responsibilities, no
such flexibility is observed regarding financial freedom. Provinces and water
authorities have to deal with a situation where there is less financial room to play
than in the past. If they want to do big investments, the provinces and water
authorities have to get backing from their provincial parliament and general board,
respectively. Similarly the NMO is dependent on the limited funding from the
province, and needs to allocate it according to the priorities of the province.
8.5.4 Intensity
The irrigation policy receives attention and efforts from many levels, giving it a
highly intense character in terms of levels. At the provincial level, the importance of
groundwater is acknowledged for both the economy (the agricultural sector) and for
nature protection (the areas that are dependent on groundwater). Additionally, the
EU level creates pressure on the water authorities to work together. According to
the Water Framework Directive, all these water authorities are in the Rhine-East
and they need to collaborate on water planning and management. The history of
172
G. Özerol et al.
groups or parties. There may be barriers to change when they go against the
interests of the various organizations.
Strategies and instruments are also assessed as neutral in flexibility. As discussed
earlier, the water authorities and the NMO have different opinions on the timing of
the irrigation policy. The NMO defended a policy that would integrate all concerns
and knowledge from the beginning, where the water authorities opted for starting
the execution of the policy and adjusting later, if necessary. The water authorities
took this decision based on the argument that the 200-m zone can be changed in the
coming years if it proves to be too large or too small for some nature areas. The
water authorities are also open to changes that can result from the implementation
of other policies such as the Natura 2000. Water authorities and the provinces have
the possibility to address the necessary changes in the five-year Water Management
Plan.
Finally, the flexibility of responsibilities and resources is also assessed as neutral. The line between the practical responsibilities of the water authorities and those
of the province is not always as sharp as it is on paper. The national Water Act,
enacted in 2009, states the actors that are responsible for the different aspects of
water management and draws the boundaries of responsibilities. However, for
specific cases in the field, it is sometimes unclear whether the province and/or the
water authority is responsible. Regarding water use at the farm level, the new
irrigation regulation enables a flexible distribution of responsibilities. Instead of
general irrigation bans imposed by the water authorities, the farmers are able to
control water use according to the flow of water through the weirs. However, as
mentioned above, this might cause discussions between the water authorities and
the farmers, in case the farmers decide to take water when the water flows from the
weir. In contrast to the very high degree of flexibility in terms of responsibilities, no
such flexibility is observed regarding financial freedom. Provinces and water
authorities have to deal with a situation where there is less financial room to play
than in the past. If they want to do big investments, the provinces and water
authorities have to get backing from their provincial parliament and general board,
respectively. Similarly the NMO is dependent on the limited funding from the
province, and needs to allocate it according to the priorities of the province.
8.5.4 Intensity
The irrigation policy receives attention and efforts from many levels, giving it a
highly intense character in terms of levels. At the provincial level, the importance of
groundwater is acknowledged for both the economy (the agricultural sector) and for
nature protection (the areas that are dependent on groundwater). Additionally, the
EU level creates pressure on the water authorities to work together. According to
the Water Framework Directive, all these water authorities are in the Rhine-East
and they need to collaborate on water planning and management. The history of
172
G. Özerol et al.