WRITTEN QUESTION E-2252/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Environmental impact of the construction of the Aposelemi Dam in Crete

A joint decision of the Ministry of the Environment, Regional Planning and Public Works and the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced the compulsory expropriation of an area of 240 hectares in the Langada area, Chersonissos Irakliou, Crete for the construction of the Aposelemi Dam which, according to the original studies, will hold 30 000 000 m3 of water per year.

The value of this project is being disputed by a committee of local inhabitants, quoting studies by the Geology department at the University of Patras and other scientific bodies which emphasise the adverse environmental and cultural impact this project will have, such as the destruction of the traditional village of Sfendili, the abundant flora and fauna, local farms and the local microclimate, while the final figure would be 20 000 000 m3 of water a year short of the forecasts.

Has the Commission asked for this project to be included in the CSF? If so, can it assure us that the environmental studies considered all the aspects of the problem and looked closely at any alternative solutions?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

The Greek authorities have long been planning the construction of a large dam on the River Aposselemis in Crete and have sought part-financing for this project from the Cohesion Fund. The dam should solve the problem of supplying drinking water, which result mainly from tourist development and a general rise in living standards, to a large part of Eastern Crete.

The Cohesion Fund has already part-financed some of the preparatory studies and compulsory land purchases required for this project (some 3 000 hectares of agricultural land, existing buildings, etc.). The Greek authorities have now submitted a fresh application for part-financing from the Cohesion Fund, this time for civil engineering works concerning the construction of the dam. This is now being considered by the Commission.

According to the information available to the Commission, the Greek authorities have completed the procedure provided for by Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(1), which requires an environmental impact study. The studies carried out have also looked at alternative sources of drinking water.

However, the Commission has recently asked for further information concerning inter alia a complementary study under Article 6 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(2) to consider the risk posed by construction of the dam to the two Natura 2000 sites which could be affected by the works. If necessary, that study could result in changes to the environmental terms and so to possible changes to the proposed works.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/94 establishing a Cohesion Fund(3), any project receiving part-finance from the Cohesion Fund must comply with Community law, including provisions on environmental protection.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(3) OJ L 130, 25.5.1994, as amended by Regulations (EC) Nos 1264/1999 and 1265/1999 (OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.