WRITTEN QUESTION E-1701/02

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE)and Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2002)

Subject: The impact of San Sebastián airport's expansion plans on Plaiaundi Ecological Park

Plaiaundi Ecological Park in Txingudi bay, Irún, the second biggest wetland in the Basque country, was submitted by the Basque authorities for inclusion as one of the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) within the Natura 2000 network. The designation was based on the wealth of different species it plays host to: the park was classified as a migration site for many species of bird listed in Directive 79/409/EEC(1), and it is also the home of unique species such as, amongst others, the natterjack toad (bufo calamita) listed as being in need of strict protection in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive.

This natural environment is protected by both national and regional legislation, and has also received aid from the Life-Nature fund, which financed 40 % of the park's restoration projects. The environmental achievements of the programme were positively assessed by the European Commission.

However, Plaiaundi Park, and Txingudi bay in general, are at present threatened by the possible negative impact of the AENA airport management agency's project to expand nearby San Sebastían airport, where the agency is wishing to increase air traffic and open the airport up to large aircraft.

Bearing in mind that within the next two years a high-speed train is to run between Irún and Madrid, which will amply cater for the region's transport needs, can the Commission provide information on the situation regarding Txingudi bay and Plaiaundi Park's designation as an SPA and SCI?

Does the Commission believe that Article 6 (environmental impact analysis) of the overall plan for the airport has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Directive 97/11/EC(2) on the evaluation of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment?

What concrete measures is the Commission intending to take to ensure that Plaiaundi Park is given definitive designation as a protected area?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2002)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Members that the site of Playaundi is included in the proposal Site of Community Importance (pSCI) named Terrazas y Marismas del Bidasoa (ES2120015). This site with a surface of 109 hectares was proposed as pSCI by the Spanish authorities on December 1997.

The site of Txingudi was classified as a special protection area (SPA) on 1 of July 1994. The site has a surface of 134 hectares and overlaps in a 25,5 % with the corresponding Important Bird Area, (IBA), number 37 Estuario del Bidasoa (Txingudi).

The Commission has evaluated positively the project Life-Nature B4-3200/98/489 about a comprehensive strategy to restore Txingudi bay with the participation of public and private bodies.

The Commission has paid particular attention to the 6th chapter of the San Sebastian Airport Master Plan, taking into account the available information. This chapter does not match provisions set out by the Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

Given that the enlargement project of the San Sebastian airport could have a significant impact on the Natura 2000 sites, the Spanish authorities must fulfill the provisions under Article 6,3 of the Habitats Directive, Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(1).

The Commission is not aware of the initiative. The Commission has not received any information from the Spanish government in relation to any plan or project within this Natura 2000 site, that is why it will request the Spanish authorities to provide information in relation to the aforementioned project.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.