Image
the Bird Rock, den Helder
Published on 18 December 2019
Netherlands
Noord-Holland
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About this good practice
In the industrial area next to Den Helder, contaminated soil is dumped for storage and cleaning. The neighbouring nature reserve offers a breeding ground for multiple coastal bird species. But due to the presence of foxes in this area, the breeding process of the birds is disturbed. The combination of Port of Den Helder, the municipality Den Helder, Landschap Noord-Holland, Milieupark Oost and the contractor De Vries & Van de Wiel, defined the idea to build a structure from the contaminated soil of the depot in order to create a safe breeding ground for the birds.
By cleaning 90.000 m3 contaminated soil and the combination with 35.000 ton immobilised concrete, a 5.0 meter high structure was built over an area of 2.3 ha. This structure is called Bird Rock. Due to its steep walls the rock is not accessible for foxes, enabling the birds to breed safely.
After completion of the project in 2017, 120 pairs of common terns, 10 pairs of little terns, 3 pairs of northern terns, 3 pairs of little ringed plovers, 28 pairs of pied avocets and 4 pairs of oystercatchers were breeding. More than 100 pairs of martins have been observed in the walls in 2017. Bird Rock is functioning as a mega incubator.
In addition, 90.000 m3 of contaminated soil is being cleaned and reused. A lot of emissions are saved due to the nearby solution for the contaminated soils. This concept also shows that applying (immobilized) ground flows in such large-scale applications makes high-quality reuse possible.
By cleaning 90.000 m3 contaminated soil and the combination with 35.000 ton immobilised concrete, a 5.0 meter high structure was built over an area of 2.3 ha. This structure is called Bird Rock. Due to its steep walls the rock is not accessible for foxes, enabling the birds to breed safely.
After completion of the project in 2017, 120 pairs of common terns, 10 pairs of little terns, 3 pairs of northern terns, 3 pairs of little ringed plovers, 28 pairs of pied avocets and 4 pairs of oystercatchers were breeding. More than 100 pairs of martins have been observed in the walls in 2017. Bird Rock is functioning as a mega incubator.
In addition, 90.000 m3 of contaminated soil is being cleaned and reused. A lot of emissions are saved due to the nearby solution for the contaminated soils. This concept also shows that applying (immobilized) ground flows in such large-scale applications makes high-quality reuse possible.
Resources needed
The project is a cooperation both financial and technical between the natural organisation Landschap Noord-Holland and Milieupark Oost the landfill operator.
The Bird rock is partly financed with revenues from the landfilled sludge.
The Bird rock is partly financed with revenues from the landfilled sludge.
Evidence of success
Milieupark Oost completed the project in 2017. That year, 120 pairs of common terns, 10 pairs of little terns, 3 pairs of northern terns, 3 pairs of little ringed plovers, 28 pairs of pied avocets and 4 pairs of oystercatchers were breeding. More than 100 pairs of and martins have been observed in the walls in 2017. In addition, 90.000 m3 of contaminated soil is being reused.
Potential for learning or transfer
This is a good example of changing a landfill of polluted sludge in a natural bird protection area. The chosen technology of cleaning and immobilisation of the sludge has led to a product where contamination can no longer leaches into the environment and therefore there is a maximum risk control and the aftercare costs are reduced to a minimum. The former landfill is now maintained by an environmental organization, Landschap Noord Holland
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
De Vries & van de Wiel
Netherlands
Noord-Holland
Contact
project manager