In the Frisian Holwerd this weekend hundreds of people took to the streets against gas extraction under the Wadden Sea. According to activists, the Wadden area threatens to suffer permanent damage, allowing it to lose its UNESCO World Heritage Status.
That discussion is followed with great interest in Drenthe. Because also under the colonies of beneficency – since 2021 UNESCO World Heritage – gas is in the soil. Director Minne Wiersma is concerned about plans from gas company Vermilion for new drill locations near Wilhelminaoord and Frederiksoord. “We must prevent this vulnerable cultural landscape from losing its status,” he says.
According to Wiersma, the Society of Benevolence has not been pronounced for or against gas extraction. “But boring locations affect this unique cultural -historical landscape,” he emphasizes. The area is not only UNESCO World Heritage, but also falls under Natura 2000. According to him, that makes the risks great.
The colonies do not opt for demonstrations or barricades, but are looking for the diplomatic route. Wiersma: “We shift closely with the province of Drenthe, the municipalities of Westerveld and Weststellingwerf and the National Service for Cultural Heritage. That National Service maintains contact with UNESCO and links findings.”
According to Wiersma, that UNESCO can withdraw a heritage status is not a theoretical risk. “In recent years, four locations have lost their status worldwide. We must prevent us from becoming the fifth.” He points out that the loss of that title would have a huge impact on the image and protection of the area.
Although Gasbedrijf Vermilion has indicated that it does not want to drill if the heritage status is endangered, Wiersma believes that that does not reassure much. Earlier, several potential drill locations in the region were canceled because of heritage interests, but some other plans remained intact. “Even though a drill location is just outside the UNESCO area, the pipes still run under the landscape. That can cause subsidence and those effects do affect us.”
According to Wiersma, subsidence is the greatest danger to the colonies. “Do not forget that drilling locations are already active in the area. There is already a decline on the edges of the provinces. If that continues, it can have consequences for the landscape, monumental buildings and the Natura 2000 area.”
That is why the Society of Benevolence continues to follow developments closely. Not with protest signs, but through consultation with governments and heritage agencies. “We think that the diplomatic line has the best chance of success. But that doesn’t mean we are reassured,” says Wiersma.