WRITTEN QUESTION E-2048/00

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(27 June 2000)

Subject: Pollution of the River Arachthos and the Amvrakikos Gulf

In March 2000 the left part of the Imaret irrigation dam in Arta which is 100 metres long collapsed and the water carried away vast quantities of rubbish which found their way into the Amvrakikos Gulf. There are fears that the harmful environmental consequences of this incident for the Amvrakikos Gulf will appear in the summer when it is thought that the organic content of the rubbish will create eutrophication and asphyxiation as the temperature rises and the flow of fresh water into the Gulf ceases. According to allegations made by local bodies and inhabitants, the collapse of the dam was caused both by the extensive and illegal removal of sand and gravel both above and below the dam some 80 000 cubic metres were removed and the fact that the DEI (Greek Electricity Board) channelled the water at a higher speed at the main dam on the Arachthos.

Given that the mouth of the River Arachthos forms part of a special protection area (Amvrakikos Gulf) according to the Commission's answer of 18 March 1998 to my Question E-0231/98, what representations does the Commission intend to make to the relevant Greek authorities:

1. To take measures to repair the damage to the Imaret dam;

2. To put an end to the flow of rubbish and the dumping of solid waste in the Amvrakikos Gulf;

3. To recommend a special operation to remove the sediment from the Amvrakikos Gulf and to clean up the bed of the River Arachthos and the Amvrakikos Gulf; and

4. To put an end to the illegal removal of sand and gravel?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The Gulf of Amvrakikos (a site of Community significance proposed in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1), and a special protection area classified in accordance with Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(2) is covered by a LIFE-Nature project, the aim of which is to conserve and manage its wetlands. Against this backdrop the Commission was informed by the recipient of the project (the Amvrakikos Development Company Etanam) of the incident described by the Honourable Member, and of the potential impact on the area referred to above, which includes the mouth of the River Arachthos.

According to that information the refuse carried away by the water (and above all the remains of plastic bags, but also glass and metals) came from an old unauthorised tip on the banks of the river, which had been abandoned 15 years ago. The expert assessments carried out following the incident, under the responsibility of the Etanam, including measures of physical-chemical parameters (dilute oxygen, pH, temperature) and microbiological analyses of the water upstream of the collapsed dam and in the Gulf, show that the refuse had already decomposed and thus was free of any organic loading; therefore there was no risk of eutrophication of the water, which has also been considered suitable for bathing.

The tipping of refuse has now ceased and the damage caused to the Imaret dam has been repaired. The banks of the river and Gulf have been cleaned, using the allocations granted by the region of Epirus. An operation to clean up the bed of the river and Gulf in order to remove the refuse (snagged remains of plastic) has been examined by the Etanam in view of the technical difficulties to be overcome. Moreover the Etanam has taken action, together with the local municipalities, in order to set up machinery for avoiding incidences of Gulf pollution in the future.

The avoidance and stopping of illegal activities devolves upon the national authorities. However, as part of the abovementioned LIFE project, the Commission will ensure that the clean up operations are completed and that the ecosystem in the Gulf of Amvrakikos is protected effectively.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.