Ecology and Environment

• Yachting Impact Studies

For many people, yachting is the ultimate experience of freedom. While on a yacht, it is possible to escape the stress of everyday life. One can move around enjoying the scenery from one's very own floating "hotel". Enjoying nature is an important incentive for yachting to be that popular.

Yachting is an environment-friendly activity as long as certain rules are taken into account. A clean environment is important to both marina operators and yachtsmen. Enjoying a nice day on the water requires non-polluted water. Not that it necessarily has to be blue in colour, but chemical or organic pollutants should not be present in excessive quantities. Therefore marinas require dedicated facilities for the disposal of waste such as paint remnants, empty paint cans, paint brushes, solvents, coolant liquids, sewage, waste oil, batteries, bilge water and household waste. WA Yachting Consultants has the specific knowledge to create a sustainable yachting and marina environment.

Restrictions or zoning bylaws may be required when important ecological values are at stake. WA Yachting Consultants is not only specialized in yachting and marina development but also has consultants that specialize in the European Bird and Habitat Directive, Natura 2000 and Dutch legislation. We consider it our responsibility to create a sustainable environment. However, ecological legislation should be functional and workable and not unnecessary obstructive to yachting activities and development; to this end, we continuously monitor national and European legislative developments.

Our clients and project references:

• Prediction movements and direction of boaters from a new residential area and hotspot for yachts in the port of Breskens and effects on the Natura 2000 area Westerschelde (2016, together with Arcadis, Marina Breskens)
• Prediction movements and direction of boaters from a new residential area in Muiden (near Amsterdam) and effects on the Natura 2000 area Markermeer – IJmeer (2016, together with Arcadis, KNSF Property Development)
• Effects of changing market circumstances on the new waterfront in Harderwijk (2015, municipality of Harderwijk)
• Expected numbers of visitors after the refurbishment of a forest located next to the Oostvaardersplassen, the ‘new wilderness’ in Flevoland (2015, Staatsbosbeheer)
• Estimation of expected recreational use after realization of a new connection (lock) between the Naardertrekvaart and the Randmeren (2015, Tauw Engineering in cooperation with all stakeholders)
• Update of the expected use by recreational vessels of the new Bypass of the IJssel River near Kampen (2015, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment)
• Analysis of the need and effects of marina expansion plans in the central yachting area in the province of South Holland (2015, province of South Holland together with 6 municipalities)
• Effects of a new kitesurf area nearby Marina Muiderzand on the Natura 2000 area Markermeer – IJmeer, together with Oranjewoud, now Antea Group (2014, Marina Muiderzand)
• A new coastal marina in Katwijk, second opinion feasibility and effects on Natura 2000 area Coepeluynen and Wantveld (2013, province of South Holland)
• Effects of a new routing network (Laakzone) from Amersfoort towards the Natura 2000 area Randmeren (2012, Municipality of Amersfoort)
• Effects of 16 extra yachts from a new pontoon on the Natura 2000 area IJsselmeer (2012 and 2013, Compagnieshaven Enkhuizen)
• Consequences on safety and Natura 2000 for marina expansion plans in the Dutch Wadden Sea (2012, municipality of Terschelling)
• Effects outgoing yachts from the new marina in IJburg on the Natura 2000 area Ijsselmeer. IJburg is a new residential area, east of Amsterdam, built on 6 islands. The first phase now hosts 15.500 of the 45.000 inhabitants planned in its final phase (2012, municipality of Amsterdam)
• Quick Scan effects of outgoing yachts from new NDSM Marina on Natura 2000 area IJsselmeer (2009, municipality of Amsterdam)
• Second opinion on the effects of a new marina in Muiden and outgoing yachts on the Natura 2000 area (2008, municipalities of Muiden and Amsterdam)
• Report on the expected recreational use of the Markermeer - IJmeer area in 2030 (2007, province of Flevoland)
• Inventory of actual recreational use of the IJsselmeer Area on behalf of the new "Management Plan IJsselmeer" (2007, Directorate-General for Public Works and Water management RIZA / Oranjewoud Consultants)
• Consequences of a new marina and guest harbour in Den Helder on the Special Protection Area (SPA) Wadden Sea (2006, municipality of Den Helder / Willemsoord BV)
• Quick scan consequences Bird and Habitat Directive on expansion plans Marina De Lunenburg, (2006, Marina De Lunenburg)
• Preliminary documents drawn up for the application of spatial permission and required licences on expanding Marina De Zeilhoek, (2005, Watersportcentrum De Zeilhoek)
• Feasibility study on expanding Camping De Voorst (2004, Camping De Voorst)
• Survey of the tangible impediments encountered by municipalities, yachting associations and entrepreneurs in their development plans in Flevoland (2003, province of Flevoland)
• Consequences of the new Dutch Flora and Fauna Code for the yachting and leisure industry (2003, the Dutch Boating Industry Association HISWA and the Association of Entrepreneurs in Leisure in the Netherlands RECRON)
• Effects of yachting on the Special Protection Area Ketelmeer in relation to the European Bird and Habitat Directive (2001 and 2003, Directorate-General for Public Works and Water management RIZA and the province of Flevoland)
• Secretariat Platform European Bird Directive (1998 - 2000, 35 associations)
• Study to analyse yachting and the necessity of zoning in the Randmeren area (1997, Chamber of Commerce Flevoland)