WRITTEN QUESTION E-1778/02 by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Exclusion of Arreu valley from the proposed SCI and expansion of the Baqueira-Beret ski resort.
Date: 2002-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Catalonia, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, tourist infrastructure

C 301 E/226

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

With regard to the revenues of TV broadcasters, the same source indicates that at Community level in
2000 public service broadcasters (including radio) recorded revenues from advertising for a total of about
EUR 5 487 million (20,8 % of total revenues). For the private broadcasters advertising revenues (including
radio) amounted to EUR 20 196 million (56,2 % of total revenues). No detailed data concerning Greece are
available.

(1) OJ C 320, 15.11.2001.
(2) Commission Directive 80/723/EEC of 25 June 1980, on the transparency of financial relations between Member
States and public undertakings as amended by Commission Directive 85/413/EEC of 24 July 1985, Commission
Directive 93/84/EEC of 30 September 1993 and Commission Directive 2000/52/EC of 26 July 2000, OJ L 195,
29.7.1980.

(2002/C 301 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1778/02

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

(24 June 2002)

Subject: Exclusion of Arreu valley from the proposed SCI and expansion of the Baqueira-Beret ski resort

Plans to expand the Baqueira-Beret ski resort in the Lérida region of the Pyrenees (Catalonia, Spain) were
submitted in 1999. The project, promoted by the private firm ‘Baqueira-Beret S.A.’, was to have been
located in Arreu valley, which was then included in the SCI for the alpine biogeographical region
(ES5130003). The project was finally withdrawn with an ‘unfavourable’ environmental impact assessment.

In August 2001 ‘Baqueira-Beret S.A.’ submitted fresh plans for expanding the ski resort,
involving a
significant area in Arreu valley and the proposed SCI of Aigüestortes (ES513002). When this last plan
received a favourable environmental impact assessment and the administrative applications allowing the
ski resort to be expanded above Arreu valley were approved, WWF/Spain lodged a complaint with the
Commission (Ref: 2002/4204, SG(2002)A1912).

Is the Commission aware of this project to expand Baqueira-Beret and the facts given by WWF/Spain in its
complaint?

Is the Commission aware that this project will affect both alpine SCIs and an IBA which have been
proposed pursuant to the Habitats and Birds Directives?

Is the Commission aware of the changes made by the Spanish autonomous communities to their proposals
for sites for the Natura 2000 network, whereby areas previously protected have been excluded to facilitate
the implementation of projects which are not directly connected with or necessary to the management of
the site (Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC (1)), without an adequate assessment having been made of their
environmental repercussions?

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

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written E-1498/02 by Mr De Roo,
Mr Mayol i Raynal and Mr Mendiluce Pereiro (1).

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002, p. 217.