WRITTEN QUESTION E-1648/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Construction and operation of dams on the River Nestos

In reply to two of my previous questions (E-2676/96(1) and E-1286/97(2)) concerning the damming of the River Nestos, the Commission stated that the Greek authorities had designated the Nestos delta as a special protection area in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEC(3) on the protection of wild birds and had also proposed the Nestos delta as a site of Community importance for the Natura 2000 network under Directive 92/43/EEC(4) on habitats for an area larger than that designated as an SPA.

Bearing in mind that:

- the Greek Electricity Board's dams on the Nestos are large-scale projects with far-reaching repercussions in a wider region, within which there are also protected areas - in specific terms, the construction and operation of the dams will damage the internationally important Nestos wetland and the forest downstream from the dams owing to the decrease in the quantities of fresh water, the fluctuating level of the river and the retention of extraneous materials,

- electricity is already being generated at the Thisavros dam and there are plans to fill the reservoir at Platanovrisi and build a duct to divert quantities of water from the river to irrigate the Plain of Drama, projects which are not included in the EIA and the impact of these measures is, therefore, unknown,

- in recent months emissions of hydrogen sulphide from an unknown source have been noted in the Thisavros reservoir and landslides continue to affect the entire area,

- the Commission states in its answers that it is "keeping a very close eye on the situation",

will the Commission say whether it intends to ask for specific studies to be drawn up in order to make an adequate assessment of the impact of the projects on the Nestos ecosystem and what further measures it will take if it establishes that infringements of Directives 79/409/EEC, 85/337/EEC and 92/43/EEC have occurred

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 1998)

When investigating the complaint lodged on the same subject, the Commission contacted the Greek authorities, who provided information on the authorization and the progress of the work, and on the studies carried out on the effects of dams on areas classified in accordance with Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds or proposed in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora.

Recently the complainants sent the Commission more documents providing further information. The Commission will examine these and the Greek authorities' replies, to decide what action to take next. The information forwarded by the Honourable Member will also be taken into account.

If the Commission believes that Greece has failed to meet the obligations of Community legislation, it will take the measures provided for in the EC Treaty (Article 169).

(1) OJ C 83, 14.3.1997, p. 47.

(2) OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 101.

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

(4) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.