WRITTEN QUESTION E-1288/02 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Environmental impact of a military installation in the Parque de los Alcornocales (Cadiz, Spain).
Date: 2002-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, application of EU law, complaint to the Commission, electromagnetic interference, exchange of information, forest, military base, military research, protected area

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.

C 277 E/126

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

The destruction of a large part of this forest represents the first stage of an assault on the whole area.

Given that the project under attack may be in breach of the EU’s environmental
legislation, can the
Commission state what action it intends to take with a view to ensuring compliance with the following
Directives:

B 85/337/EEC on the assessment of

the effects of certain public and private projects on the

environment (1);

B 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (2); and

B 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (3)?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1001/02 and E-1288/02
given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(29 May 2002)

The Commission is aware of the situation described by the Honourable Member, having requested
information on the planned centre while investigating a complaint (No 2000/4315) about plans to
construct various types of infrastructure within the special protection area known as ‘Los Alcornocales’
bird sanctuary.

The Spanish authorities replied that planning decisions were dictated by national defence considerations
and the various alternative sites considered had been dismissed as offering worse conditions for
electromagnetic wave detection and analysis quality.

They also pointed out that plans to construct an access road, likely to have an impact on the area, had
been shelved.

As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will take the necessary action to ensure compliance with
Community legislation in the case in point.

(2002/C 277 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1005/02

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 April 2002)

Subject: Financial assistance by the Commission to Acharavi, Corfu, for the setting-up of an animal home

and construction of a laboratory

Can the Commission confirm that it has provided funds to the village of Acharavi on Corfu for the
construction of an animal home?

Can the Commission also confirm that European funds have been used to build a laboratory for animals
near Kommeno on Corfu?

How much European funding will Corfu receive between 2000 and 2006, and which projects are to be
financed by means of it?