WRITTEN QUESTION E-2510/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Lack of Community law on efficient, sustainable use of water resources, as highlighted by the case of the Terra Mítica theme park in the Valencia region of Spain.
Date: 1999-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU law, environmental impact, environmental protection, fight against wastage, hydrology, impact study, sustainable development, tourist infrastructure, water management, water requirements, water resources, water supply

C 330 E/16

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

(2000/C 330 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2510/99

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

(22 December 1999)

Subject: Lack of Community law on efficient, sustainable use of water resources, as highlighted by the case

of the Terra M(cid:237)tica theme park in the Valencia region of Spain

The recent publication of a study carried out by the Economics Department of the Universitat Jaume I in
Castell(cid:243)n has caused alarm amongst the inhabitants of two towns (cid:129) Benidorm and Finestrat (cid:129) within the
Valencia region of Spain on account of the amount of water which is expected to be needed for the Terra
M(cid:237)tica theme park which is currently under construction. Such a demand for water, which by the year
2002 will increase the water shortage virtually twofold, will pose a major problem for an area which has
been particularly affected by recent droughts.

The theme park, which is being built with funding from the regional government, will require much of the
water available in the area in order to support the expansion of tourism which will come about as a result
of the new facilities and to maintain and irrigate the golf courses which are to form part of the leisure
complex.

At present, no Community directive exists to prevent the misuse of water, particularly in the regions of the
Member States which suffer from drought. However, cases such as the construction of the Terra M(cid:237)tica
theme park demonstrate the need for relevant Community legislation which, on the basis of the principle
of the sustainable development, lays down criteria designed to ensure that water resources are properly
used.

In 1997 the Commission incorporated a number of measures to encourage efficient, sustainable water use
into its proposal for a framework directive on water, which is still under discussion. This aspect of the
proposal was emphasised by Parliament at first reading and could be one of the points to be negotiated
with the Council during the conciliation procedure which is more than likely to take place.

How is the Commission going to ensure that, in response to excessive demand, measures relating to the
efficient, sustainable use of water resources are adopted in accordance with the above directive?

Does the Commission know whether or not the recently published data on water shortages were taken
into account when the mandatory environmental impact study was carried out in respect of the Terra
M(cid:237)tica theme park?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2000)

The Commission fully agrees that present Community water legislation does not ensure sustainable water
management of all waters. This is why the Commission,
following initiatives by the environment
committee of the Parliament, has proposed to Parliament and Council a water framework directive (1).
in February 1999 (2), and Council adopted a common
Parliament has given its opinion (1st reading)
position in October 1999 (3). Progress of negotiations seems to indicate final adoption, following co-
decision, in summer 2000.

The water framework directive will set ambitious environmental objectives such as (cid:145)preventing deteriora-
tion of groundwater status, restoring bodies of groundwater, and ensuring a balance between abstraction
and recharge of groundwater(cid:146) (article 4(1)b). It will require water management based on river basins
((cid:145)river basin management plans(cid:146)), ensuring protection of surface waters as well as groundwaters (article 3).
It will establish obligations for Member States to ensure legally binding measures to achieve this objective,
such as (cid:145)controls over the abstraction of fresh surface water and groundwater, and impoundment of fresh
surface water, including a register or registers of abstraction and impoundment.(cid:146) Only water abstractions
with insignificant impact may be exempted from these obligations (article 11(3)d).

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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The Commission will, once the directive has been adopted, ensure its appropriate transposition and
implementation, both the instruments foreseen in the EC Treaty and by information of and consultation
with all
the directive will ensure openness and transparency by an
obligation for Member States to inform citizens and interested parties when establishing their river basin
management plans.

interested parties. Furthermore,

Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment (4) does not apply since it does not cover theme parks. The amended
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending Directive 85/337/
EEC (5) would cover theme parks in cases where a Member State determines the specific project as being
likely to have significant environmental impacts. However the amended Directive does not apply to the
current project either since the project application was made before the amended directive was applicable
in the Member States.

Given the facts on Community water legislation and environmental impact assessment as described, there
is no legal basis for the Commission to intervene.

(1) OJ C 184, 17.6.1997, OJ C 16, 20.1.1998, OJ C 108, 7.4.1998, OJ C 342 E, 30.11.1999.
(2) OJ C 150, 28.5.1999.
(3) Council Common Position adopted on 22.10.1999; OJ C 343, 30.11.1999.
(4) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(5) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2000/C 330 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2531/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(4 January 2000)

Subject: Foundation of a centre for the promotion of classical studies and the teaching of ancient Greek

and Latin at educational institutions

In 1995 a Memorandum was submitted to the Council of Education Ministers of the European Union on
the foundation of a centre of studies for promoting the teaching of Latin and ancient Greek studies at
educational institutions in the European Union, especially at secondary level. Representatives of the Italian,
French, Greek and Spanish Governments stressed that (cid:145)today more than ever before classics constitute an
extremely valuable educational tool with which to educate the young who could acquire through this
common intellectual heritage a genuine European outlook alongside their legitimate national feelings(cid:146).

However, five years have now elapsed without the European Union having taken any practical measures to
achieve this objective. Moreover, classical studies cannot be allowed to disappear from secondary education
in the next century: distinguished figures in classical studies such as Jacqueline de Romilly of the French
the CollŁge de France, have expressed their
Academy and Jean-Pierre Vernant, both professors at
disappointment at the disappearance of classical studies from secondary education (See Le Monde of
12.11.1999). In view of this situation, will the Commission say what initiatives it intends to take to make
a positive contribution towards the establishment of such a centre?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2000)

During the Education Council of 31 March 1995, the Greek minister submitted a Memorandum on the
foundation of a European centre for classical studies. This led to numerous discussions.