Rijkswaterstaat has been working for some time on a stronger ecological Maas. Along the Lower Maas, plans include creating a flowing side channel near Bokhoven and removing stones from the riverbank at Hoenzadriel and Hedel. The final Project Decision for these three measures has now been established and is open for final inspection.
Over the years, the Maas landscape has been significantly altered by human intervention, which has not benefited the aquatic nature. The measures aim to create new habitats for fish, aquatic plants, and small aquatic animals. They align with the Water Framework Directive, which focuses on improving and protecting surface water across Europe.
Lower Maas
The Maas from Lith is known as the Lower Maas, also called the Tidal Maas. Here, ebb and flow still have some effect, causing the water level to fluctuate by 20 to 30 cm daily. Traditionally, gently flowing side channels belong in this area. Northwest of Bokhoven, such a channel is being reintroduced into the floodplain, allowing the associated flora and fauna to develop again. A river with a wide variety of species is more resilient to disturbances such as climate change or pollution.
Shallow Banks
Originally, the Maas banks gradually transitioned from water to land. The shallow bank water provided young fish with a safe place to grow and forage. At Hoenzadriel and Hedel, the stone bank protection is being removed on two sections, allowing natural processes such as erosion and sedimentation to take place again to some extent. This follows the earlier removal of stones from the Maas bank in this area as part of ecological restoration.
Whats Going to Happen?
- Bokhoven Channel (municipality of s-Hertogenbosch): northwest of the village, a 1.6 km long flowing side channel will be created, directly connected to the Maas on both sides. A culvert will be installed under the Veerweg to keep the road usable.
- Casterens Hoeve Bank (municipality of Maasdriel): between Hoenzadriel and the A2 bridge over the Maas, 900 m of bank will be made nature-friendly by removing as many stones as possible, both above and below water.
- Benedenwaarden Bank (municipality of Maasdriel): south of Hedel, the stone bank protection will also be removed on a 400 m section for a more natural bank.
Project Decision for Inspection
The Draft Project Decision was open for inspection from December 4, 2024, to January 14, 2025. Eight views were submitted. The response note explains how these were addressed. The response note is an appendix to the final Project Decision, which is available for inspection online until Tuesday, May 20, 2025, via Platform Participation . During this period, an appeal can be made to the Council of State. More information about the appeal procedure is available on the website.
The documents can also be viewed at the Rijkswaterstaat office in Den Bosch (Magistratenlaan 82). Appointments can be made via 088-7974300.
Want to Know More or Have Questions?
- About the appeal procedure: contact the Participation Directorate of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management at 070-456 96 07
- About the measures: contact us or visit the website of Working Together on River Nature