WRITTEN QUESTION E-0997/02 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)and Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Development of Tajo-La Mancha waterworks following Annex II of the Spanish National Hydrological Plan.
Date: 2002-04-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Spain, environmental impact, hydrology, project evaluation

C 277 E/124

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 2002)

The Commission does not use an own definition of legislative region and is not able to give a list of such
regions. Definitions and lists of this kind of regions are clearly a matter for each Member State,
in
accordance with their constitutional framework.

(2002/C 277 E/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0997/02

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE)
and Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 April 2002)

Subject: Development of Tajo-La Mancha waterworks following Annex II of

the Spanish National

Hydrological Plan

The European Commission should be aware that the Tajo-La Mancha transfer 0 listed as ‘Conducción de
agua desde el Acueducto Tajo-Segura para incorporación de recursos a la Llanura Manchega’ in Annex II
(investment list) of the Spanish National Hydrological Plan law 0 is now ready for immediate execution up
to 2006.

Does the Commission know that this water transfer was not included in the Strategic Environmental
Assessment of the Plan that was recently submitted by the Spanish Government?

The Commission should also be aware that the competent authority has just declared (EFE 03/13/13-45/
02), that EIAs on two of the four parts of the project are positive and that, therefore, getting the € 245,22
million (85 % of the total costs of the project) it has asked for from the EU Cohesion Fund should be a
‘mere bureaucratic step’?

What is the Commission’s reaction to this claim, given also the fact that the European Parliament’s
Resolution for the Barcelona Summit asked the European Commission not to fund water transfer schemes?

Is the Commission satisfied that this water transfer does not violate EU law,
Habitats and Water Framework Directives?

in particular the Birds,

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 2002)

The Commission notes the information concerning the proposed Tajo-La Mancha transfer in Spain. The
Commission is aware that this proposed transfer forms part of the Spanish National Hydrological Plan. The
Commission is also aware that this transfer was not included in the Strategic Environmental Assessment
submitted by the Spanish authorities.

The Commission notes the statements attributed to the competent authority. However, the Commission
would underline that there are set procedures for evaluating funding proposals under the cohesion fund.
These procedures, which include an evaluation by the Commission, will be respected in the case of the
request for financial support submitted in relation to the Tajo la Mancha transfer. As part of this
evaluation, the Commission will take into account the Environmental Impact Assessments reported to have
been carried out by the authorities. The Commission will pay particular attention to the need to ensure
that all projects respect relevant Community legislation and policies including the directives on the
protection of birds, habitats and water resources.

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/125

in relation to paragraph 12 of the resolution of the Parliament of 28 February 2002 on the
Finally,
sustainable development strategy for the Barcelona European Council, the Commission understands this
resolution to exhort the Commission not to use Community funding to finance unsustainable water
management schemes. This is not the same as refusing to finance any water transfers.

(2002/C 277 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1001/02

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 April 2002)

Subject: Felling of the Bosque de Niebla in the Alcornocales National Park

Under Directive 92/43/EEC (1), the Alcornocales Natural Park, which is located in the province of Cádiz
(Andalusia, Spain), is considered by the EU to be a Special Area of Conservation.

Situated within the park is the Bosque de Niebla, which the Spanish Ministry of Defence wishes to fell so
that it can install an electromagnetic wave detection and analysis centre. This would jeopardise an area
which, on account of the rarity of its flora and fauna in Mediterranean latitudes, is one of the most
ecologically valuable in Europe, since quite apart from the planned felling, the area’s fragile ecosystem
would be irremediably affected by the activity in, and the flow of traffic through, the park.

The problem lies not with the actual erection of the antenna, but with the location selected by the Spanish
Ministry of Defence. Some other site could be chosen where the environmental impact would be minimal.

Is the Commission aware of what the Ministry intends to do?

What action is the Commission planning to take in order to protect the area (which qualifies as a Special
Area of Conservation under Directive 92/43/EEC) and to safeguard the area’s ecosystem, fauna and flora?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

(2002/C 277 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1288/02

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 May 2002)

Subject: Environmental impact of a military installation in the Parque de los Alcornocales (Cadiz, Spain)

The ‘mist forest’ of Llanos del Juncal, located in the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales (Natural Park of
Cork Oak Groves) in Cadiz province (Spain), which is included in the ‘Natura 2000’ network, is a humid
mountain ecosystem considered unique in Mediterranean Europe. This woodland is home to an abundance
of leafy vegetation including, in particular, gall-oaks, oak-trees proper, and southern rhododendrons. This
protected area has, in recent years, been subjected to development pressures, following the construction of
infrastructures which have brought in their wake grave consequences and threats for its natural habitats.

The Spanish Ministry of Defence intends to construct, in the ‘mist forest’ of Llanos del Juncal, a sensor
station for the capture of electromagnetic waves and signals. This project has been repudiated across the
board by community associations, NGOs and political parties in Cadiz province. The specific char-
acteristics of the vegetation of this habitat are of such an unusual and complex nature that it is included
every year in the field programmes of the biology faculties of two European universities, Seville and
Cambridge.