WRITTEN QUESTION P-1231/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2001)

Subject: Flawed environmental impact report on the Júcar-Vinalopó water diversion project

In December 2000 the Spanish Ministry of the Environment decided that the canalisation works to channel water from the River Júcar to Vinalopó, Marína Baixa and Alacantí would not have a significant environmental impact. However, that decision was issued before geological tests had been completed in the areas through which the water diversion project installations are to pass.

Furthermore, the Environment Ministry has already announced that the call for tenders for the finalised diversion project is to be issued on 6 April, the date on which the relevant state body is due to approve changes in the specifications following an examination of the environmental impact report (in spite of the aforementioned flaws in the drawing up of the report).

The environmental associations that have already lodged a complaint with the Commission continue to point to irregularities in the environmental impact report. In addition, they accuse the Environment Ministry of flouting the public's right to be involved and kept informed, in that, although a number of comments have been submitted with regard to the project, consideration has been given only to a report submitted by the state-owned Aguas del Júcar development company on a canalisation project that bears no relation to the original project.

In its answer to a previous question tabled on this matter, the Commission stated that it was examining the remarks submitted by the Spanish authorities.

Will the Commission thus establish whether or not the existing diversion project has been drawn up in line with Community legislation on environmental impact reports and on the protection of birds and habitats, and whether the rules on involving and informing the public also contained in Community legislation have been observed?

Does the Commission still maintain that the project is not receiving European funding, bearing in mind that it is earmarked for funding under Spain's National Hydrological Plan?

Has the Commission consulted the reports by the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO) and the Hydrographical Confederation of Júcar as suggested?

References: Written Questions E-0819/00(1), E-2650/00(2), P-4071/00(3).

(1) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001, p. 29.

(2) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 66.

(3) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 127.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2001)

The Commission recently approached the Spanish authorities with a request that they should forward the environmental impact assessment adopted before the project was finally authorised.

When it has received their answer, the Commission will be in a position to comment on whether the case in point complies with Community legislation.

The Spanish authorities have not to date requested European funding for the Júcar-Vinalopó canalisation project either under the integrated operational programme for the Valencia Region for 2000-2006 or under the Cohesion Fund. Any projects put forward for cofinancing by the Member State would have to comply with both the current programming as endorsed by the Commission and the full range of Community legislation.

The Spanish authorities have forwarded the report from the Jucar water board, whose conclusions are in favour of the project. Similarly, the Commission has received copies of the conclusions of the Regional Ministry of the Environment of the Regional Government of Valencia, requesting strict supervision of any works undertaken in view of the ecological importance of the proposed site. However, the Commission has not received the report by the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO) to which the Honourable Member refers.