Parties around the table
The construction of Maasvlakte 2 and the execution of the nature projects to compensate for the effects of this undertaking are closely intertwined. There are several attractive municipalities both to the south and north of the port and industrial complex. The green surrounding area offers a wealth of flora and fauna, as well as many recreational possibilities. The North Sea itself is the domain of fishermen and watersports lovers. 
For this reason, discussions were launched at an early stage with the local authorities in the area and interest groups representing nature, the fisheries and the environment, for example, on how the land reclamation could best be accommodated. The starting point here is the wish to strengthen the position of the mainport whilst at the same time improving the quality of the environment. Relevant agreements have been made in the context of the Rotterdam Mainport Development Project (PMR). The PMR projects to create 750 hectares of new space for nature and recreation and to improve the environment (Existing Rotterdam Area project) are an inextricable part of the Administrative Agreement. 
 
Closely involved in follow-up 
Social parties and local authorities are closely involved in the follow-up to the EIA procedures. This takes place in the so-called Social Parties Council (OMP). Among the members of the OMP are representatives of environmental, fisheries, agricultural and recreational organisations, the umbrella organisations VNO-NCW (Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers), Deltalinqs and the Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce. The local authorities in the area surrounding Maasvlakte 2 are also represented. During the recovery process for the PKB-plus part 3 too, social parties, united in the OMP, will be closely involved.

Implementation
A good raft of measures has already been prepared to compensate for nature lost and to improve the social climate in the region. Now it’s down to the implementation. This involves major projects such as the construction of the marine reserve, but also smaller ones. In December 2004, for example, a roundabout on the Vrijheidsweg in Goedereede was built. As a result, recreational traffic flows through a lot more smoothly. Talks are under way with Schouwen Duiveland regarding the educational and recreational possibilities of bringing the planned marine reserve ‘closer’ to the population.

Previous history: Vision and Daring
Initial contact was established with the vicinity during the preliminary process for the PMR. In 2000, for example, the covenant ‘Vision and Daring’ was signed with the municipality of Rotterdam and the following environmental organisations: the Nature and Environmental Association, the Nature Reserves Association and Consept. In this covenant, the signatories agreed on an integrated package of measures for improving the Rotterdam region. The aim is to achieve a stronger and more diverse economy, more nature and a flourishing city.
 
Stakeholders
In addition to the agreements in the covenant Vision and Daring, concrete agreements about nature compensation were also made at the time in the administrative stakeholders committee (‘Overleg Niet-Rijkspartijen’). Taking part in this consultation were:

•       local authorities in the region   
•       ANWB   
•       Dyke Board of Delfland   
•       Province of South Holland   
•       Recreation Authority Voorne-Putten-Rozenburg   
•       Rotterdam Metropolitan Area, Association for the Preservation of Dunes   
•       North Sea Association   
•       Nature Reserves Association   
•       Water board Brielse Dijkring   
•       South Holland Landscape   

Agreements
The terms of the agreement link up with the nature compensation as set down in PMR, but go further on a number of points. There is, for instance, more attention for the Oostvoornse Meer, now one of the sub-projects in the Existing Rotterdam Area project, and for extra liveability measures on Voorne and Goeree. You can find the ‘Administrative Stakeholders Committee Agreement' here.