WRITTEN QUESTION P-0564/02 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Environmental impact study in respect of the Valtrompia motorway.
Date: 2002-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, environmental impact, impact study, motorway, project evaluation, road building, service concession

C 172 E/214

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

(2002/C 172 E/228)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0564/02

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Environmental impact study in respect of the Valtrompia motorway

By means of its decision VII/7866 of 25 January 2002 the Lombardy Regional Government declared the
Valtrompia motorway to be environmentally compatible and endorsed the investigative report as an
integral and substantive part of that decision.

However, the environmental impact study drawn up by the promoter (the Autostrada Brescia-Verona-
Vicenza-Padova company) fails to include basic information. In particular, it gives no consideration to
possible alternatives to the proposed project, as is required under Directive 97/11/EC (1).

Furthermore, completely absent from the environmental impact assessment is a study on the emission into
the atmosphere of the fumes issuing from the flues used to ventilate the tunnels, which are of a
considerable length. (Valtrompia is so narrow that much of the route followed by the motorway passes
through tunnels). There are not even any filters fitted to remove dust and fumes from the air.

In general there are major failings where air quality is concerned. This is a serious matter in view of the
fact that the region has a high level of exposure to dust 7 a state of affairs which has on several occasions
led to the imposition of a ban on urban traffic. No study is to be carried out into the cumulative and long-
term effects of the project on air quality (Annex IV of Directive 97/11).

The Commission has already launched an inquiry to investigate an alleged infringement of Community
rules relating to the internal market, in view of the fact that no European public tender was held for the
purpose of awarding the franchise for the building of the motorway (see question E-4047/00 (2)).

Does the Commission not think that it should intervene in order to ensure that an environmental impact
study is carried out which fully meets the requirements of
impact
assessment?

the directive on environmental

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(2) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 220.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

The project mentioned by the Honourable Member is covered by category 7 (construction of motorways
and express roads) of Annex I of 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) whether before or after being amended
by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2).

Under Directive 85/337/EEC, whether before or after amendment by Directive 97/11/EC, projects falling
within Annex I are to be made subject to an environmental impact assessment which should identify,
describe and assess in an appropriate manner, in the light of each individual case and in accordance with
the Articles 4 to 11, the direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors: human beings,
fauna and flora; soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; material assets and the cultural heritage. In
addition, the information to be provided by the developer under Article 5, paragraph 1, should include
(where appropriate, under Directive 85/337/EEC before the amendments, and always under Directive 85/
337/EEC as amended) an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer himself and an
indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects.

In the specific case, not being aware of
the
Commission will take the appropriate steps in order to gather detailed information about it and to ensure,
within the limits conferred on it by the EC Treaty, the observance of Community law.

the situation described by the Honourable Member,

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/215

Should the Commission be informed that Community law is being breached in the specific case, it would
not hesitate, as the guardian of the EC Treaty, to take all necessary measures,
including infringement
procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to ensure the observance of relevant Community
law.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2002/C 172 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0582/02

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Illegal dumping of hazardous waste in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Could the Commission indicate what action it has taken, or intends to take, against Wicklow County
Council and the Irish Government over the illegal dumping of more than 300 000 tonnes of waste,
including hazardous waste, discovered in Whitestown, Co. Wicklow in November 2001 given that:

1. Wicklow County Council has stated that it intends to seal the site, as it claims that the cost of moving

the waste to a legal landfill and restoring the site to its original condition is too high;

2.

a failure on the part of Wicklow County Council to clear up the site will mean that it will be in breach
of Directive 75/442/EEC (1), and, in particular, Articles 4, 8 and 9 thereof, and

3. Wicklow County Council became aware of the illegal site in 1998 and, notwithstanding, did not step

in and clean it up, despite potential dangers to public health.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2002)

The Commission has received a complaint about this landfill and is investigating the case.

The Commission has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law, in the light of the
powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty. As the guardian of the EC Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all
necessary measures, including infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to
ensure the observance of Community law.

(2002/C 172 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0587/02

by Guido Bodrato (PPE-DE), Massimo Carraro (PSE)
and Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Failure to carry out environmental impact assessment

EU principles

Article 27 of the Veneto regional law No 10/99 has been ruled invalid on the grounds of incompatibility
with the
(Commission Directive
85/337/EEC (1)), in a reasoned opinion of 3 August 2000 concerning breaches of Community environ-
mental legislation by regional authorities, including the Italian region of Veneto. However, under the above
law the Veneto region has authorised yet another category 2B discharge of woodpulp, considered as

environmental

concerning

assessment

impact