WRITTEN QUESTION E-2411/00 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Recovery plan for the Bonelli's eagle in La Rioja (Spain).
Date: 2000-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Spain, bird, protected species, protection of animal life, wind energy

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.