WRITTEN QUESTION E-3411/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (28 October 1997)

Subject: Expansion of the capacity of the 'Inviolata' waste disposal site between Guidonia and Mentana in Lazio

The 'Inviolata' waste disposal site situated between Guidonia and Mentana in Lazio was the subject of Written Question E-1410/97 ((OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 120.)) of April 1997, which outlined to the Commission the adverse situation affecting the inhabitants of the area, who are forced to tolerate daily the emissions caused by the waste contained in the dump. Recently 'Ecoitalia 87', the company which manages the site, decided to open a new section, thereby increasing the capacity by more than 450 000 cubic metres, whereas the majority of the inhabitants wanted the site to be definitively closed.

In view of this and the fact that the Region of Lazio, the Province of Rome and the town council of Guidonia are due to express their opinion on the project, can the Commission say:

1. whether the project to open a new section at the Inviolata site complies with the provisions of Directive 91/156/EEC ((OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32.)) on waste disposal;

2. whether the project, which apparently provides for an increased capacity of 450 000 cubic metres, must be subjected to an environmental impact assessment procedure in accordance with Directive 85/337/EEC;

3. whether, apart from the above-mentioned directives, there are other Community provisions regulating projects to create or expand waste disposal plants?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997)

Article 4 of Directive 75/442/EEC on waste, as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC, lays down that waste must be disposed of among other things without causing a nuisance through noise or odours and that appropriate installations for waste disposal are subject to an authorisation from the authorities.

The Commission already contacted the Italian authorities following Written Question E-1410/97 from the Honourable Member in order to obtain information on the foul smells emanating from the discharges from the 'Inviolata', situated between Guidonia and Mentana in Rome province. As it has received no Reply, the Commission will send another letter to the Italian authorities mentioning the new information provided by the Honourable Member.

Although discharges of dangerous waste are immediately subject to the environmental impact assessment procedure (EIA), this is not the case for discharges of non-dangerous waste included under the category of installations for the disposal of industrial and domestic waste in Annex II(11)(c) of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment ((OJ L 175, 5.7.1985. )). Projects in Annex II are subject to the environmental impact assessment procedure where Member States consider that their characteristics so require. However, these projects must be subjected to a prior examination to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required; such an assessment must be carried out where the effects of the environment are significant by virtue of the nature, size or location of the project.

As regards the regulations applicable to waste disposal installations, Community law in force is more particularly concerned with existing municipal waste incineration plants (Directive 89/429/EEC ((OJ L 203, 15.7.1989. ))) and new municipal waste incineration plants (Directive 89/369/EEC ((OJ L 163, 14.6.1989. ))). Consideration is currently being given to a proposal for a Directive aimed at introducing specific rules for discharges ((Doc. COM(97) 105. )).