WRITTEN QUESTION E-2394/00 by Luckas Vander Taelen (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Environmental impact of the 2004 Olympic Games infrastructure development in Athens.
Date: 2000-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Olympic games, environmental impact, environmental protection, sports facilities

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/29

The audit report is an internal and confidential document that is followed up by the Commission services
concerned. In some cases and where appropriate, the relevant managing service may release the audit
report, in whole or in part, to the beneficiary contractor for reaction and explanation.

(2001/C 136 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2394/00

by Luckas Vander Taelen (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(13 July 2000)

Subject: Environmental impact of the 2004 Olympic Games infrastructure development in Athens

The infrastructure plans for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens are the source of many criticisms due to
their environmental
impact. Examples are the indoor table tennis stadium in the Veikou Park, which
violates a protected forest area; the olympic village damaging the National Park of Parnitha; the rowing
and canoeing centre affecting the Schinias wetland area.

Schinias,
for example, has been included in the scientific list of proposed Natura 2000 sites (code
GR3000003). Moreover, as 50 bird species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC (1)
have been identified in the area, this has been classified as an Important Bird Area. The infrastructure
project proposed in the area would affect three priority habitats (Posidonia beds, wooded dunes with Pinus
pinea and/or Pinus pinaster, Mediterranean temporary ponds) as classified by the Habitat Directive 92/43/
EEC (2). The impact on the cultural environment is also seriously worrying: the historical battle of 490 BC
between the Athenian-Platean armies and the Persians took place at the great plain of Marathon, where
Schinias is located. The Greek Ministry of Culture has already expressed its disagreement with the
construction of the complex at Schinias.

According to the existing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the construction of the rowing and
canoeing centre would even have positive effects on the natural environment. However, four major Greek
environmental organisations are contesting this statement and claiming that their criticisms have not been
taken into consideration. The EIA study fails also to examine alternative locations, although they exist.

1. What action does the Commission plan to take in order to ensure that infrastructure development
relating to the 2004 Olympic Games does not contribute to the further degradation of the environmental
and cultural heritage?

Can the Commission say whether EU funding is involved in the projects for the rowing and canoeing

2.
centre at Schinias, the indoor table tennis stadium in the Veikou Park and the olympic village?

3.

Has the Commission financed the conservation of the Natura 2000 Schinias site?

4. What measures does the Commission intend to take in order to preserve the Schinias site from
irreversible degradation?

5.
Can the Commission verify whether the EIA of the rowing and canoeing centre has respected the
provisions of the EIA Directive 97/11/EC (3), especially with regard to public consultation and assessment
of alternative locations?

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(3) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

C 136 E/30

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

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

(26 September 2000)

The Commission has no competence concerning the organisation of the Olympic games. However, the
large infrastructure works intended for the games and other works indirectly linked to them need to go
through the appropriate procedures foreseen in environmental
In this context, Council
Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment (1) as modified by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, should be
taken into consideration.

legislation.

As regards the specific projects mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission has received
complaints concerning the tennis courts in the Veikou Park, the Olympic village near the National park of
Parnitha and the rowing and canoeing centre in Schinias. In particular, as far as the rowing and canoeing
centre in Schinias is concerned, the area of Schinias was included in the scientific inventory of sites eligible
for the Natura 2000 network prepared by the Hellenic authorities through LIFE-Nature funding. Further-
more, the Schinias marshes have been identified as an important bird area in the recently published revised
list of Birdlife international. Taking the conservation value of the site into account, the Commission already
sent a letter to Greece requesting information about the measures taken in order to ensure its protection.

In the framework of the operational programme for the environment for the period 1994-1999, the
Commission has co-financed (75 %) a project relating to the protection of Schinias for a global amount of
€ 147 000. No Community funding is involved for other projects.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2001/C 136 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2411/00

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Recovery plan for the Bonelli(cid:146)s eagle in La Rioja (Spain)

(18 July 2000)

The Commission has granted the Government of La Rioja assistance to implement a recovery plan for the
Bonelli(cid:146)s eagle under the LIFE programme.

One of the nesting sites of the three or four remaining pairs of Bonelli(cid:146)s eagles will be affected by the
construction of a wind farm at Sierra la Hez, which lies between two special bird protection areas.

In the Commission(cid:146)s view,
consequences it will have for the last remaining pairs of Bonelli(cid:146)s eagles in La Rioja?

is this installation compatible with the LIFE programme, given the serious

What measures does it intend to adopt in order to preserve this protected species of great ecological value?

(2001/C 136 E/033)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2412/00

by Laura GonzÆlez `lvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Wind farm at Sierra la Hez (La Rioja, Spain)

(18 July 2000)

The Government of La Rioja has approved the installation of a wind park with 75 wind-power generators
at Sierra la Hez, between the special bird protection areas of Peæas de Ireguas, Leza y Jubera and Peæas de
Arnedillo, Peæa Isasa y Turruncœn.