WRITTEN QUESTION No. 987/96 by Magda AELVOET to the Commission. L.IJ.N. project (Sint-Joris-Weert/Neerijse) in an area protected under the wild birds directive
Date: 1996-04-26
Institutions: AELVOET, European Parliament
Subjects: environmental impact, feasibility study, hydraulic works, impact study, protected area, protection of animal life, water supply













EUR-Lex - 91996E0987 - EN






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91996E0987

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 987/96 by Magda AELVOET to the Commission. L.IJ.N. project (Sint-Joris-Weert/Neerijse) in an area protected under the wild birds directive  


Official Journal C 305 , 15/10/1996 P. 0035 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0987/96 by Magda Aelvoet (V) to the Commission (26 April 1996)Subject: L.IJ.N. project (Sint-Joris-Weert/Neerijse) in an area protected under the wild birds directiveThe Flemish Water Supply Company is planning the 'L.IJ.N. project' in the middle of the Dijle valley in Sint-Joris-Weert/Neerijse. A drinking water reservoir is planned which would be fed by the Laan, Ijse and Nethen rivers. On the district plan this area is marked as a nature reserve. In 1989 the Dijle valley was noted by the European Community as a protected area under the wild birds directive. At the request of the Flemish environmental administration, a feasibility and project EIA have been carried out for this project. In this EIA various different sites were investigated which are all in the same nature reserve. It is clear that such a large-scale project will have a major impact on a previously unspoilt, open and ecologically extremely valuable nature reserve. There are, however, also alternative sites outside the Dijle valley nature reserve.1. Is the Commission aware of this project?2. Does it consider that such a project can be implemented in an area protected under the wild birds directive?3. Is it convinced that a proper investigation has been made for alternative sites outside the Dijle valley nature reserve?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1996)1. The Commission was not aware of the project.2. According to Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )) (habitats Directive), special protection areas (SPA) classified under Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds ((OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, as last amended by Council Directive 94/24/EC (OJ L 164, 30.6.1994). )) (birds Directive) are subject to the obligations arising under Article 6 of the habitats Directive.According to Article 6(3), any project not directly necessary to the management of the SPA but likely to have a significant effect on it shall be subject to appropriate assessment. The national authorities can only agree to the project after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site, and they should investigate alternative solutions (Article 6(4)).3. The current available information does not allow the Commission to deliver a definitive opinion on this specific project. The Commission has written to the Belgian authorities requesting details of this project and of the fulfilment of the obligations arising from Article 6 of the habitats Directive.