Recently, I had the privilege of traveling to the Netherlands for an international policy masterclass on “Living With Water,” hosted by the Council of State Governments (CSG), specifically CSG South, in partnership with the American Flood Council. Senior legislative leaders from across the South were chosen to explore our changing weather patterns, identify flood risks, understand their impact on infrastructure, economies, and people, and discover solutions for flood prevention to increase resilience in our respective areas and nation.
Kentucky has always faced flooding challenges, but recently we have experienced historic rain events with increasing frequency. These events have resulted in loss of life, community relocations, and significant damage to our economies and infrastructure. Solutions for flood resilience are critical and deserve our attention.
Our trip was brief but intense. We started with discussions about the challenges in our respective states, focusing on current and future water management issues. As a former coal miner with three technical degrees and a former environmental prosecutor, I found myself in my element discussing drainage, erosion, subsidence, spatial planning, and water solutions.
I seriously considered studying hydrology before choosing law school. During my time in the Kentucky General Assembly, I have championed water legislation and impoundment regulation. I also created a task force to achieve state jurisdictional primacy for 404 water regulation and another task force on water and wastewater following the Martin County experience, which highlighted a pressing need.
My district includes three Ohio River counties, the Big Sandy, Little Sandy, and other rivers, a federal flood control project at Grayson Lake, and incidents of historical flooding in Vanceburg and Olive Hill. Thus, I was eager to learn from Dutch experts about their methods for maintaining their country’s integrity and how we might apply these resilience measures at home.
Our delegation observed every aspect of water management, from the sea to river basins, learning from international experts. There is no better example of innovative success than the Netherlands. One-third of the country is below sea level, with the lowest point being 22 feet (6.7 meters) below sea level. They rely on an extensive system of dikes, pumps, artificially enhanced and created beaches, and sand dunes to protect their land. These sophisticated flood control systems are crucial for their survival, a battle they have fought since 1200. Despite their best efforts, they remain acutely aware of the rising sea levels’ potential threat.
In The Hague, we received a briefing from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. They discussed challenges such as drought, freshwater protection, storm surge, increased storm severity, and flooding. Their governmental structure emphasizes keeping water management as apolitical as possible, focusing on societal balance and management. Citizens have a significant say in the process, which is grassroots-driven, including the funding for flood control and resilience.
The Delta Programme of 2015, a government plan to manage flood risk and protect freshwater availability, was a recurring theme during our visit. We were briefed by Deltares, independent research experts specializing in water, soil, and subsurface issues. They collaborate with U.S. partners like TVA, USAC, and USGS on research, data, and project information sharing.
We then explored the urban lab for sustainable urban flood resilience solutions. Flood Proof Holland demonstrated the latest innovations in temporary and flexible flood protections, which are effective and accessible for communities. After a devastating flood in 1953, the Delta Works project, completed 45 years later, focused on solutions like the Room for the River project. We visited the Maeslantkering storm surge barrier, part of Delta Works. This engineering marvel, one of the largest moving structures on earth, protects the Port of Rotterdam and its city from storm surges, with design concepts replicated in Florida and Louisiana.
Rotterdam, situated 22 feet below sea level, has urban challenges. The ZOHO district showcases urban planning with biodiversity and erosion control, water storage, and flood minimization. They emphasize community attitude, aesthetic balance, science, and nature.
Katwijk aan Zee, a North Sea coastal city, exemplifies coastal protection with dune construction, pumping infrastructure, and environmental balance. We even saw a parking garage beneath an improved dune!
Werkendam marked the start of the Room for the River project, which aims to restore the river’s natural floodplain in non-harmful areas to protect nearby regions. This involves buying land to allow river spread during floods, creating water buffers, relocating levees, increasing channel sizes, and constructing flood bypasses. While some agricultural land was lost, the project still supports agriculture, residents, wildlife, and recreational use across the Rhine, Meuse, Waal, and Ijssel rivers.
The Kinderdijk World Heritage site, at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers, features 19 windmills built around 1740 to drain the polder. This extensive water management network includes pumping stations, dikes, and reservoirs.
Amsterdam, with its elaborate canal systems, bike paths, and narrow streets, showcases the historical importance of water and its relationship with the people. One remarkable observation about Dutch water management is the public’s awareness and cooperation with governmental plans, formed over years of science and data-driven, non-politicized efforts. The Dutch value biodiversity and a thriving ecosystem for a healthy lifestyle, evidenced by their numerous bicycles and fit population. They also enjoy stroopwafels and herring, and I indulged in many stroopwafels myself, hoping to be in better shape on my next visit!
I appreciate the opportunity to learn and apply my background to analyze the problems Kentucky and our country face concerning water, a precious and life-essential commodity. I hope to contribute to the solutions for future generations in some small way.
