WRITTEN QUESTION E-1351/02

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)and Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 May 2002)

Subject: Alternative routes for the Sofia-Kulata motorway

For the construction of the Sofia-Thessaloniki motorway, Bulgaria has opted for a route through the valley of the Struma near the town of Kresna. Originally, five variant routes were prepared, but it seems that the only variant to which consideration has genuinely been given is widening and alteration of the existing motorway which follows the course of the Struma river via the Kresna gorge.

The Commission is undoubtedly aware of the existence of the E-79 Highway Sofia-Kulata Motorway Feasibility Study & Design (SPEA Ingegneria Europea, November 2000), which rules out two possible routes for the planned motorway because they would be too expensive. The two alternative routes outside the Kresna valley are not described at all.

1. What does the Commission think of the quality of this study, which is two pages long and was drawn up using EUR 394 000 in funding from PHARE?

In answer to written questions by Erik Meijer (E-3147/00(1)) and Alexander de Roo (E-0220/01(2)), the Commission referred to an EIA report which was to be drawn up and which was

duly published at the end of December 2001. Bulgarian environmental organisations are highly critical of this EIA report, in which the alternatives are not properly considered and virtually no attention is devoted to the principles of the directives on wild birds and habitats.

2. What is the Commission's assessment of the quality of this EIA report?

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 20.

(2) OJ C 261 E, 18.9.2001, p. 65.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2002)

The original terms of reference of the PHARE contract for the feasibility study and design project of the E-79 Sofia Kulata Motorway had not required SPEA to look for alternatives outside the existing E-79 alignment and roadbed in studying the section of the Struma Motorway between Kresna and Kulata, but to take account that the presence of protected flora in the Struma river gorge was reported. It was understood at this time that this gorge, through which passes the existing road, was not a protected area, except a part of it (Tisata reserve) registered as a Corine sub-site.

The draft feasibility study for the Struma Motorway, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), was submitted to the Commission in December 2000. The submitted EIA report was not accepted by the Commission, as it was considered not to be complete. The Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria also decided to reject the proposed EIA report on a similar basis.

The draft feasibility report also included a very preliminary assessment, at pre-feasibility level, of alternative corridors avoiding the Kresna Gorge. This preliminary assessment, as noted in the draft feasibility report, was undertaken by SPEA on their own initiative and apparently following a verbal request from the Bulgarian Road Administration. In any case, the Commission did not accept this as being an adequate examination of alternatives. Both SPEA and the Bulgarian Road Administration confirm that there was no additional contract or disbursement involved in the production of this very preliminary assessment.

There has not been any complementary study financed by PHARE to identify alternative routes outside the E-79 existing corridor, nor has any project of this kind yet been proposed for financing by a Community instrument. In the case where such proposals were made, the Commission would certainly be ready to consider them.

The preliminary EIA for the Struma Motorway was finalised by SPEA in November 2001 and submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Water. The subsequent public meetings required by the Bulgarian legislation were held in March 2002 with the participation of the interested public and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Ministry of Environment and Water is still reviewing the EIA following the public meeting and the Commission is not aware that any decision has yet been taken.

It is only after the completion of the Bulgarian internal procedure that the Commission becomes involved in the process.