With great interest I have read the voluntary guidelines on sustainable soil management. Soil is indeed a limited resource with evidently high societal value. Therefor I want to contribute in sharing views about sustainable soil management.
On headlines I want to make some comments and suggestions to improve this draft version.
Integrated approach of the soil-sediment-water system;
In reality it is a system which is more complex instead of a sectoral approach by soil. Agricultural production and security is also depending on the availability of water. And there for the document should not be limited to rural areas, but also extended to the urban areas. Groundwater use in urban areas might have an influence in agricultural areas.
Sustainable use of land should be done in 4 or 5 dimensions (3 D and a long term vision and sufficient data)
The guidelines describe processes in a qualified matter without mentioning the instrument to use by the stakeholders. For example, farmers want to have the instruments to contribute in reducing greenhouse gass emissions. So it is more a strategic document for policymakers and not meant for farmers on an operational basis.
The link between agriculture and the reduction of the effects of climate change is important and could be more emphasized.
Especially in urban areas starting point is that the quality of the land should be suitable for the function and use of the land. In urban areas with often a legacy of contamination the approach is risk based and not a multifunctional remediation. The cost are too high to make this possible. Moreover this fits within the definition of sustainability: a balance between the three P’s of people, planet and profit. The starting point is to use land in a sustainable way and not only the focus on soil preservation and prevention.
In the guidelines seems not costs to be involved.
For more detail comments see the attachment. If needed I am willing to clarify and explain the above mentioned points.
Dear colleagues,
With great interest I have read the voluntary guidelines on sustainable soil management. Soil is indeed a limited resource with evidently high societal value. Therefor I want to contribute in sharing views about sustainable soil management.
On headlines I want to make some comments and suggestions to improve this draft version.
For more detail comments see the attachment. If needed I am willing to clarify and explain the above mentioned points.
Kind regards,
Ing. N.J. Molenaar (Co)
Senior advisor soil and water
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Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Rijkswaterstaat, WVL Soil plus
Griffioenlaan 2, 3526LA Utrecht (visiting address)
Postbox 2232, 3500GE Utrecht