Overijssel kicks off tailored plan to restore De Borkeld nature reserve amid legal and economic challenges
The Province of Overijssel is launching a targeted approach to restore the Natura 2000 area De Borkeld, addressing nature degradation while providing legal certainty for local businesses and housing projects. Residents and entrepreneurs will help shape the process, balancing ecological and economic needs.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | Natura 2000 area De Borkeld, Overijssel |
| Main Challenges | Desiccation, nitrogen deposition, ecosystem fragmentation, legal uncertainty |
| Stakeholders Involved | Entrepreneurs, landowners, local residents, provincial government |
| Current Phase | Exploratory process; no concrete measures yet |
| Goal | Restore nature, legalise PAS reporters, provide permit certainty |
| Next Steps | Discussions with stakeholders, building shared knowledge base |
| Province’s Role | Coordination, policy development, and facilitating local collaboration |
| Timeline | Phased approach; order and timing vary per Natura 2000 area |
The Province of Overijssel is responsible for managing and protecting Natura 2000 areas within its jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with national and EU environmental regulations. It collaborates with local stakeholders to balance ecological goals with economic and social development.
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Read the full translated article below
Province launches area-focused process in and around the Natura 2000 area De Borkeld
The Province of Overijssel is launching an area-focused approach in and around the Natura 2000 area De Borkeld. The Provincial Executive has decided to initiate an exploratory process there. This marks the start of a process, not the implementation of concrete measures.
The province has been collaborating with partners for years on the restoration and strengthening of Natura 2000 areas. This new phase builds on that work. The reason for this initiative is that nature in and around these areas is under pressure. As long as this remains the case, permit issuance remains legally uncertain or sometimes impossible. This affects entrepreneurs, housing construction, and other developments. With an area-focused approach, the province aims to work on nature restoration while also taking steps toward legalising PAS reporters, rejecting revocation requests, and providing more certainty for permit issuance.
Phased and careful approach
Overijssel has deliberately chosen a phased approach. Instead of designating all Natura 2000 areas at once, the focus is on examining how an area-focused process can begin in each individual area and what this means for the local situation. Based on this, the Provincial Executive will decide per area whether and when to start the process.
Start in the Natura 2000 area De Borkeld
De Borkeld is a unique natural area in Overijssel. It is rich in biodiversity and of great ecological value. However, the area is under pressure due to desiccation, nitrogen deposition, disturbance, and fragmentation of ecosystems. In addition, multiple challenges converge here, and entrepreneurs are facing difficulties, which we aim to address. Much knowledge about the area is already available, and various initiatives and processes are underway that we can build upon.
In the coming period, the province will engage in discussions with partners and representatives of entrepreneurs, landowners, and other stakeholders to determine the next steps. The focus will be on the coherence between factors in the area, such as water, soil, nature, agriculture, and recreation. This will create room for solutions tailored to this specific area.
First exploration, then decisions
With the decision by the Provincial Executive, the process around De Borkeld has begun. Residents and entrepreneurs will be informed about this, where desirable and necessary through one-on-one contact with directly involved parties. This allows us to provide clarification and address questions.
At this stage, concrete measures are not under consideration. First, we will work together with the local community to build a shared knowledge base. Together, we will examine what is happening, what is needed, and what is feasible. Only then can we discuss possible follow-up steps.
Provincial Council informed
The Provincial Council will be informed per area about the decision taken and the follow-up process. It will be explicitly explained that this concerns the start of a process, not the adoption of fixed measures. Ultimately, the province will implement area-focused measures in all Natura 2000 areas in Overijssel. The order and timing will vary per area.
More information
On the page Gebiedsgerichte maatregelen you can read more about the decision.
The letter to the Provincial Council can be found on Notubiz (link refers to an external website).