WRITTEN QUESTION E-0068/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 January 2000)

Subject: Construction of the Itoiz dam

Construction of a new dam the Itoiz dam to create a reservoir on the rivers Irai and Urrobi in Navarre (Basque country) has been under way since 1993. The total cost of the project is in the order of EUR 1,78 billion. According to the promoters, the reservoir will be used to irrigate 57 000 ha of farmland in the south of Navarre, to supply water to Irunea and to generate electricity.

The local population and environmental groups are wary of the construction of the dam because fifteen villages will disappear, either wholly or partially, together with three designated nature conservation areas (Txintxurrenea, Gaztelu and Inarbe). Two areas under threat enjoy special European protection status.

On 29 September 1995 the technical project for a reservoir on the rivers Irai and Urrobia was annulled by the national court of justice. The supreme court later upheld this ruling. Nevertheless, construction of the dam went ahead unimpeded. In late 1998 it was announced that the Commission had wrongly dismissed a complaint against the start-up of the project.

1. (a) Which EU institutions have been and/or are involved in the construction of the Itoiz dam?

(b) Why were/are these EU institutions involved?

(c) To what extent is the EU financing the Itoiz dam?

2. In view of the fact that fifteen villages will disappear, either partially or wholly, along with three designated nature conservation areas, two of which enjoy special European protection status, is EU financing subject to any environmental and/or other conditions?

(a) If not, why not?

(b) If so, does the Commission believe that the conditions are satisfied by the construction firm?

3. Is the construction of the Itoiz dam in line with Community legislation on environmental protection and nature conservation and agriculture, given that fifteen villages will disappear, either partially or wholly, along with three designated nature conservation areas, two of which enjoy special European protection status?

(a) If not, why not, and what action has the Commission taken to ensure that Community legislation is complied with in full?

(b) If so, does the Commission believe that Community legislation is fully complied with in the case of the Itoiz dam, despite the disappearance of fifteen villages, either partially or wholly, along with three designated nature conservation areas, two of which enjoy special European protection status?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2000)

It must be noted that the Community has not granted any Community financing for the construction of the Itoiz dam in the Navarre region of Spain.

The Commission received a complaint concerning the construction of the Itoiz dam and conducted an investigation on this issue. On 30 November 1994, the Commission decided not to open infringement proceedings in respect of this matter. A press release to this effect was issued on 9 December 1994(1), including the necessary elements to explain why the file was closed.

Given the fact that the Itoiz dam project has now been constructed the Commission does not see any purpose in prolonging commentary on a Commission decision dating from 1994.

(1) IP/94/1175.