Two events in Drenthe have been canceled due to strict environmental and nature regulations. “The province must discuss with the Central Government Real Estate Agency what is possible,” says Member of Parliament Wenda Bolhuis (BBB).
These are the King’s Cup and the LJC of Mountain Bike Association Havelte and surroundings and the Hippisch Hooghalen of the Haoler Ruters. Both associations hold their event on a site of the Central Government Real Estate Agency. This year they were confronted with strict rules that they cannot comply with.
Drop an ax
Wenda Bolhuis, Member of Parliament for BBB, sounds the alarm. The province must take action to prevent volunteers from throwing in the towel, she says. “People put a lot of time and energy into the organization of these events, then this is a huge downer. We want the province to discuss with the Central Government Real Estate Agency what is possible and where an event can take place. Because otherwise we will get a bald blow.”
Bolhuis therefore asks written questions, together with the factions of VVD, Sterk Lokaal, Forum voor Democratie, PVV and JA21.
Ellen Noordman is president of the Haoler Ruters. “Equestrian Hooghalen would take place next Saturday and Sunday, there would be clinics on Monday evening,” she says. “The location is training area De Haar at the TT Circuit. It is owned by the Central Government Real Estate Agency, but normally used by the Ministry of Defence. We always have very good contact and consultation, but this year for the first time we had to deal with three conditions that we could not meet.”
Archaeological value
“The first condition is that we are not allowed to dig, because the area is of high archaeological value,” continues Noordman. “But we have to anchor our obstacles in the ground, and we have done that for ten years. The second is the nitrogen calculations according to the Aerius model. As a small association, we cannot afford that. The third is that on part of the circuit we are not allowed to drive horses past the obstacles through the berms. The strange thing is that motorcycles are allowed to drive there during the TT.”
Haoler Ruters has been badly duped, says Noordman. “We are a small club. The site at De Haar is ideal for us. It is highly questionable whether we can organize our event elsewhere. It is a great pity, also because we receive part of our income from Hippisch Hooghalen.”
Mountain bikers
Mountain bike association Havelte eo reports on the website that two events have been cancelled, also because the association could not come to an agreement with Rijksvastgoedbedrijf. “The reason is that it cannot be ruled out that a grass snake, slow worm, lizard or viper will be damaged,” writes Rik Smit of the competition committee. “Unfortunately, all our counterarguments, solutions, etc. have not helped. It is a big downer for all of us.”
This is exactly what worries Wenda Bolhuis of BBB. “Once an event is off the agenda, will it come back? It’s all getting more and more complicated for the volunteers. That is why we want the province to support them. People organize these events to enjoy nature, not destroy it.”
The Central Government Real Estate Agency could not be reached for comment.