Action 4 : Dutch-Belgian coastal regions example to be utilised for further implementation

Within the Dutch-Belgian coastal region the results of actions 1-3 will be compared to the existing situations. This will result in an example on how to deal with the NSR contingency plan for coastal flooding.
Main aim is to establish the first steps towards the setting up of a joint contingency plan in a low laying bordering region, in which mutual cooperation is of essential nature for successful contingency planning and effectuation.
This will include sharing information on technical issues, such as water level prediction schemes, inventories regarding detailed elevation maps and land usage. Better insight is generated for the areas most likely to be affected in case of flooding, focussing at the situation in real life, instead of restricting to administrative units. Besides technical information the information on responsibilities of different authorities will be shared in order to know which entities exist, how these are to be reached, who has to be addressed for which role in calamities. Last essential input is to know what physical and technical infrastructures are present at what location to provide the necessary support. This can be information on infrastructure, buildings to serve as resorts, equipment as boats, helicopters and so on.
Main idea is that at the level of the North Sea two levels of common contingency planning and combating exists, the Flemish Dutch case demonstrates the interdependence in a low lying area vulnerable for coastal flooding as this part of the Scheldt estuary represents. In this situation common contingency planning and execution is of mayor importance for surviving such extreme events.

This working committee deals with the Dutch-Belgian coastal region pilot how to deal with the North Sea Regions contingency plan for coastal flooding, as defined in Action 4. The Scheldt pilot coastal contingency plan will serve as a first step and learning exercise towards a future North Sea contingency planning in cross-bordering areas.