Wednesday 17 April at 8pm. Bellevue, Dorpsstraat 27 in Chaam.

The information is provided by Staatsbosbeheer and the municipalities of Alphen-Chaam, Gilze and Rijen. Mark and Leij is hosting.

A lot is going to change in the Chaamse Bos in the coming years. Mark and Leij has found Staatsbosbeheer and the municipalities of Alphen-Chaam, Gilze and Rijen willing to explain what all these changes mean. The evening is open to all interested parties. Below is a brief overview of all the topics that will be discussed and the questions that will be answered.

• A Nature Gate with a luxurious wellness centre is coming: What do the plans consist of? How big will the centre be? What do I understand by a Nature Gate? How will nature protection be built in? How many visitors are expected? How large will the car park be? What will happen to the infrastructure (parking, lighting, increased traffic etc)? What are the consequences for the rest of the forest in terms of accessibility, parking etc?
• A cycle lane is being built: Where will it be located? Will there be cross-connections to the village centres and catering establishments? What will be the cycle connection to Breda and Baarle-Nassau? How wide will the cycle paths and verges be? What will happen to the current asphalted cycle paths and roads such as Huisdreef and Slingerdreef? Who will pay for the cycle lane and who will maintain it? How long will the realisation take? How will the cycle lane affect the overall zoning of the forest?
• Zoning will change: Which paths will soon be accessible? Which ones will be marked? Will there also be a mountain bike route? Where are the remaining car parks located? Will the natural forest remain? Where will there be a dog-walking area? Where are the protected, non-accessible parts of the forest? Will disturbance in the area increase or decrease soon?
• Another Hydrological Plan: A clever hydrological plan should soon ensure that water is retained in the right places and does not reach ground level everywhere. How will this affect walkers and cyclists? Will the forest remain as wet or will it become (too) dry? Will another hydrological plan soon conflict with the Chaamse Beken agreement? Will the seepage areas remain in place? What will happen to the water level of the Ossengoor and the adjacent footpaths?
• Timber production: Does the timber production comply with the FSC label? What does the Forestry Commission do with the yield? How does timber production take sufficient account of the natural values of the forest and the presence of rare animal and plant species? Do enough old trees remain? Is forest rejuvenation natural or planted? What are the consequences for forest paths due to transport? Are co2 emissions increasing or decreasing? How does the Forestry Commission respond to climate change?
• Protection, Experience, Utilisationare the three themes of the Forestry Commission: What will be the relationship between these three principles in the Chaamse Bos? Is the natural value going forwards or backwards? Will there soon still be enough peace, space and freedom? In short: what will be the consequences for nature and the cycling and walking holidaymaker?

Committee for external contacts of Mark and Leij Nature Association