WRITTEN QUESTION E-0591/00

by Reinhold Messner (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 February 2000)

Subject: Quarry in val Coalba

An aggregates quarry located in the beautiful val Coalba (municipality of Villa Agnedo), which is to form part of the future Brenta riverside park, has applied for a renewal of its authorisation to quarry for gravel. The proposed extension is to run for at least thirteen years and involve the removal of an overall total of 950 000 cubic metres of material. When the Province of Trento's urban development plan was revised in 1987, environmental restraints were placed on the site, which is of unquestionable natural beauty.

The quarrying work would have serious repercussions, causing environmental damage in an area known for its geological features, flora and fauna, possibly disturbing the hydrogeological balance and undermining the safety of the road network, and transfiguring a site that is to become one of the main features of the future Brenta riverside park. The mouth of the valley, where the aggregates are processed, forms part of a bicycle trail and of plans for a riverside park which the Provincial Council is including, together with those for the valle del Chiese, in the economic programming document covering local projects to receive European Union funding over the next five years.

Would the Commission not agree that, in view of the possible geological risks involved, an environmental impact assessment should be carried out?

Would it not agree that there is a contradiction in terms between promoting tourism in the val Coalba and accepting the presence of a quarry that seriously detracts from the natural beauty of the site?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2000)

The Commission does not have competence to carry out environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures with reference to the projects covered by the Community legislation on EIA. According to Council Directives 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985, on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(1) and 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997(2) which has modified Directive 85/337/EEC, it is Member States which are competent to carry out EIA procedures with reference to the projects located in their territory.

As regards the nature conservation aspect, the site mentioned by the Honourable Member is not considered among the protected areas concerned by Council Directives 79/409/EEC of 7 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds(3), or 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(4).

The Commission, in the light of the powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty, has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law. As the guardian of the EC Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all necessary measures, including infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty, in order to ensure the observance of Community law.

In the specific case, due to a lack of grounds of complaint on the application of Community law, no breach can be identified at present.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(3) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.

(4) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.