# CE2004070EN.01002802.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/28 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/28

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(2004/C 70 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0419/03

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 February 2003)

Subject:   Spanish National Hydrological Plan (NHP): Júcar-Vinalopó transfer scheme

Subject:

The construction scheme for transferring water from the basin of the river Júcar to that of the Vinalopó was approved as part of the Júcar Basin Hydrological Plan, and ratified in Annex II of the NHP in July 2001. The course to be followed by the transfer channel runs parallel to the existing Tagus-Segura link, and converges with the planned transfer of the Ebro to the Spanish south-east. The water transfer is designed to develop new irrigation areas for heavily subsidised continental crops in the upper and middle reaches of the Júcar, as well as unsustainable tourist and urban development. All this will have increased negative repercussions on the lower reaches of the Júcar and the Albufera, and on the quality of Valencia's water supplies. The scheme's environmental impact assessment did not assess alternatives, nor take account of these and other problems, such as environmental impact on the Natura 2000 Network and areas of ornithological importance.

On 4 October, the Spanish Government asked the Commission to cofund the project (EUR 54 million). The Commission indicated that its reply would be given within three months, i.e. before 4 January 2003. Without waiting for the EU decision, the Spanish Prime Minister laid the first stone of the new channel on 14 November 2002.

Can the Commission tell me what stage has been reached with regard to processing this request for aid?

Has the Commission made any assessment of the project and of the accompanying environmental impact study?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2003)

(27 November 2003)

On 4 October 2002 the Spanish authorities sent the Commission a request for confirmation of the level of cofinancing for the ‘Conducción Júcar-Vinalopó’ project under the integrated operational programme for the Valencia Region (2000-2006). To provide the Honourable Member with accurate information, it should be pointed out that the amount of Community aid requested is EUR 80 121 million, given eligible expenditure of EUR 155 244 million and a total cost estimated at EUR 254 639 million.

Regarding the questions on the processing of the request for aid:

| — | the Directorate-General for Regional Policy consulted the European Investment Bank (EIB), within the framework of the collaboration agreement with the EIB and the regulatory provisions, to obtain an independent opinion. It asked the EIB for a technical report on the viability of the project. The EIB delivered its report on 1 August 2003; |
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the Directorate-General for Regional Policy consulted the European Investment Bank (EIB), within the framework of the collaboration agreement with the EIB and the regulatory provisions, to obtain an independent opinion. It asked the EIB for a technical report on the viability of the project. The EIB delivered its report on 1 August 2003;

| — | the Directorate-General for Regional Policy examined the recommendations of the study and sent them to the Spanish authorities. On 20 October 2003 the Spanish authorities sent the Commission a formal reply, which is now being assessed. In addition to the abovementioned EIB report, the Commission also has the economic assessment and the environmental impact statement of the authority responsible; |
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the Directorate-General for Regional Policy examined the recommendations of the study and sent them to the Spanish authorities. On 20 October 2003 the Spanish authorities sent the Commission a formal reply, which is now being assessed. In addition to the abovementioned EIB report, the Commission also has the economic assessment and the environmental impact statement of the authority responsible;

| — | as this is a complex dossier still being examined, the Commission has not yet taken a final decision on the request for cofinancing. |
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as this is a complex dossier still being examined, the Commission has not yet taken a final decision on the request for cofinancing.

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