WRITTEN QUESTION P-1231/01 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Flawed environmental impact report on the Júcar-Vinalopó water diversion project.
Date: 2001-04-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Spain, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, hydraulic works, impact study

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/229

(2001/C 318 E/249)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1231/01

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

(10 April 2001)

Subject: Flawed environmental impact report on the Jœcar-Vinalop(cid:243) water diversion project

In December 2000 the Spanish Ministry of the Environment decided that the canalisation works to
channel water from the River Jœcar to Vinalop(cid:243), Mar(cid:237)na Baixa and Alacant(cid:237) would not have a significant
environmental impact. However, that decision was issued before geological tests had been completed in
the areas through which the water diversion project installations are to pass.

Furthermore, the Environment Ministry has already announced that the call for tenders for the finalised
diversion project is to be issued on 6 April, the date on which the relevant state body is due to approve
changes in the specifications following an examination of the environmental impact report (in spite of the
aforementioned flaws in the drawing up of the report).

The environmental associations that have already lodged a complaint with the Commission continue to
point to irregularities in the environmental
impact report. In addition, they accuse the Environment
Ministry of flouting the public(cid:146)s right to be involved and kept informed, in that, although a number of
comments have been submitted with regard to the project, consideration has been given only to a report
submitted by the state-owned Aguas del Jœcar development company on a canalisation project that bears
no relation to the original project.

In its answer to a previous question tabled on this matter, the Commission stated that it was examining
the remarks submitted by the Spanish authorities.

Will the Commission thus establish whether or not the existing diversion project has been drawn up in
line with Community legislation on environmental impact reports and on the protection of birds and
habitats, and whether the rules on involving and informing the public also contained in Community
legislation have been observed?

Does the Commission still maintain that the project is not receiving European funding, bearing in mind
that it is earmarked for funding under Spain(cid:146)s National Hydrological Plan?

Has the Commission consulted the reports by the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO) and the
Hydrographical Confederation of Jœcar as suggested?

References: Written Questions E-0819/00 (1), E-2650/00 (2), P-4071/00 (3).

(1) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001, p. 29.
(2) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 66.
(3) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 127.

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

(15 May 2001)

The Commission recently approached the Spanish authorities with a request that they should forward the
environmental impact assessment adopted before the project was finally authorised.

When it has received their answer, the Commission will be in a position to comment on whether the case
in point complies with Community legislation.

The Spanish authorities have not to date requested European funding for the Jœcar-Vinalop(cid:243) canalisation
project either under the integrated operational programme for the Valencia Region for 2000-2006 or
under the Cohesion Fund. Any projects put forward for cofinancing by the Member State would have to
comply with both the current programming as endorsed by the Commission and the full range of
Community legislation.

The Spanish authorities have forwarded the report from the Jucar water board, whose conclusions are in
favour of the project. Similarly, the Commission has received copies of the conclusions of the Regional
Ministry of the Environment of the Regional Government of Valencia, requesting strict supervision of any
works undertaken in view of the ecological importance of the proposed site. However, the Commission
has not received the report by the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO) to which the Honourable Member
refers.