Accordingly, it was decided that the proposed houses would be raised between 1 and 1.5 metres, since it is expected that water levels would most likely reach this height in case of a dyke failure (Pols et al., At the same time, the minister indicated that the national government would not feel responsible if,, despite all precautions, the Westergouwe would be flooded. In an interview published in the Government Gazette (in Dutch, Staatscourant) the minister said that those who have taken the initiative have to bear all of responsibility, and that the national government will not compensate for the damage in case of a flood disaster (Pols et al.,