WRITTEN QUESTION E-3410/03 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission. The NHP subsidies and environmental impact.
Date: 2003-11-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: environmental impact, hydrology, impact study, project evaluation, support policy, watercourse

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/811

What measures has it taken or does it intend to take to alert the German authorities, and make them
aware of the need to exercise care and rigour?

What information does it have as to recent illegal immigration flows, and the means used to enter the
Schengen area?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission has no information on the presence in Portugal of illegal
immigrants from Eastern
European countries who allegedly travelled on Schengen visas issued by Germany. It intends to seek
information on this matter from the two Member States concerned and will
inform the Honourable
Member of the outcome of those enquiries.

An exchange of available information on illegal immigration takes place on a monthly basis within the
Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Frontiers and Immigration (Cirefi)
working group of the Council. Furthermore, Europol regularly provides a bulletin on illegal immigration
with a focus on criminal networks involved in human trafficking.

In addition, the Commission tabled on 25 November 2003 a proposal for a Council Decision establishing
a secure web-based Information and Co-ordination Network for Member States’ Migration Management
Services (1). The Network is designed primarily to facilitate the exchange of strategic and tactical
information on irregular or illegal migratory flows and trends.

Moreover, cooperation between immigration liaison officers posted to third countries is also relevant for
the exchange of information on such developments. The Justice and Home Affairs Council reached
political agreement on the Greek initiative for a Council Regulation on the creation of an immigration
liaison officers’ network on 2/3 October 2003. Its objective is to formalise the existence and functioning of
such a network, drawing on experience gained with ongoing projects.

(1) COM(2003) 727 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0860)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3410/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 November 2003)

Subject: The NHP subsidies and environmental impact

On 1 November 2003, the Spanish Official Journal published the resolution setting out the environmental
impact statement for the National Hydrological Plan’s water transfers scheme authorised by Spanish Law
10/3001.

It is a fact that the transfer of water from the River Ebro to other catchment areas will alter the river’s own
ecological conditions, and also those of the Ebro delta. The Law in question provided for the drawing up
of an Ebro Delta Integral Protection Plan.

The Ebro delta contains a nature reserve classed as a Natura 2000 Network special bird protection area, in
accordance with Directive 92/43/EEC (1) and Directive 79/409/EEC (2).

the same Law provides for the possibility of

Furthermore,
incorporating transfers other than those
envisaged in the scheme. The Catalan Autonomous Government carried out a study of an alternative
transfer of water from the River Ródano to Catalunya’s interior catchment areas, and forwarded this to the
Spanish Government.

C 78 E/812

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Does the Commission know that no assessment has been made of the environmental impact resulting
from the future water transfer as provided for in the Ebro Delta ‘Integral Plan’.

Will the Commission make the granting of any EU subsidies to the National Hydrological Plan scheme
conditional on the carrying out of assessments of the environmental impact on the Ebro delta and the
establishment of the minimum guaranteed ecological flows?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

(2004/C 78 E/0861)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3411/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 November 2003)

Subject: Granting subsidies to the NHP and the Ródano water transfer

On 1 November 2003, the Spanish Official Journal published the resolution setting out the environmental
impact statement for the National Hydrological Plan’s water transfers scheme authorised by Spanish Law
10/3001.

It is a fact that the transfer of water from the River Ebro to other catchment areas will change the river’s
own ecological conditions, and also those of the Ebro delta and the surrounding marine ecosystem.

the same Law provides for the possibility of

incorporating transfers other than those
Furthermore,
envisaged in the scheme. The Catalan autonomous government carried out a study of an alternative
transfer of water from the River Ródano to Catalunya’s interior catchment areas, and forwarded this to the
Spanish Government. Catalunya’s interior catchment areas contain 4,5 million inhabitants, whose current
water supply is already problematic, and could become very much more so in the near future.

The transfer of water from the Ródano would involve a flow of between 10 and 20 m3/s, which would
have a very reduced impact, given the average flow at the river mouth, which is approximately 1 700 m3/s.

Does the Commission know that no assessment has been made of the environmental impact resulting
from the future water transfer as provided for in the Ebro delta ‘Integral Plan’, nor has any consideration
been given to the possibilities offered by transferring water from the Ródano, as in the proposal referred to
above.

Will the Commission make the granting of any EU subsidies to the National Hydrological Plan scheme
conditional on the carrying out of assessments of the environmental
impact on the Ebro delta, the
establishment of the minimum guaranteed ecological flows, and the assessment of the repercussion of the
Ródano water transfer?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3410/03 and E-3411/03
given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 2004)

The Commission is aware of the Spanish Government’s Environmental Impact Statement in relation to the
proposed Ebro transfer.

First of all the detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (30 volumes published in June 2003) does
include some information on the probable environmental
the
Commission is aware that the integrated plan for the protection of the delta has not yet been produced.
It is this plan which will establish the management arrangements, including the flow regime, to protect the
ecological and chemical status of the lower River Ebro and the Ebro delta.

impact on the Ebro delta. However,

In relation to the possibility of a transfer from the River Rhone, this option was addressed in the Strategic
Environmental Assessment carried out by the Spanish authorities and published in January 2002.