Flemish Minister for the Environment and Agriculture Jo Brouns: “Water is not a problem that we must eliminate, but an ally that we must make better use of. With the Blue Deal, we will invest more than 50 million euros in projects that protect Flanders against drought and floods and that ensure healthier waterways and valleys by 2026.”
Iron Basin
The budget of 3 million for the Iron Basin is mainly used to create extra space for water. This includes the purchase of several homes in flood-prone areas that cannot be protected. In addition, some land that floods too frequently is also purchased and converted into wet nature. The Handzamevaart in Kortemark will also be reopened, a dike and the pumping stations at the Blankaart will be adjusted, and the redesign of the Grote Beverdijkvaart will continue. And in the Ypres region, the castle moat is being cleared and the ‘Verdronken Weiden’ holding basin on the Ieperlee is being improved.
Lys basin
Minister Brouns also provides an additional budget of 3 million from the Blue Deal for the Leie basin in 2026. In 2026, the implementation of development works will start in a first sub-area of the Leie river restoration project. “In the other sub-areas, we will continue to focus on purchasing land or – where possible – on self-realization. In addition, we will start the next phase of opening the Gaverbeek in Waregem and the Heulebeek in Gullegem in 2026. It is expected that the Mandel in the Brugpark in Izegem will also be opened at the end of this year as part of the “Wandel op de Mandel” project.
Coast
For the coast, the Blue Deal contribution will amount to 700,000 euros in 2026. This will be used by Natuur en Bos for rewetting projects.
