Overview
- The court suspended the Rijkswaterstaat permit for using Lauwersmeer disposal pits, with dumping—already inactive since 16 July—now on hold until a ruling.
- Groningen province has paused Reitdiep maintenance and says completion in 2025 is no longer feasible due to the lack of a suitable alternative disposal site.
- KNNV and Mobilisation for the Environment argue the permit relied on insufficient study of potential impacts on Lauwersmeer water quality.
- Sludge already dredged from the Reitdiep is being stored elsewhere pending final disposal under whatever permit conditions result.
- Water board Noorderzijlvest, after reviewing reports, says the sludge quality matches or is better than existing pit material and does not expect deterioration, with a court decision expected soon.