WRITTEN QUESTION E-0071/04 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. The Spanish National Hydrological Plan dam on the River Narla in Lugo (Galicia) a scheduled Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network.
Date: 2004-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, application of EU law, engineering structure, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, protected area, water supply

C 84 E/758

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Because of the complexity of the provisions of this Convention, the Commission intends to launch a study
on the points in common with (cid:1) and those on which it differs from (cid:1) common immigration policy as it
has developed at EU level since the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam.

(2004/C 84 E/0853)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0071/04

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: The Spanish National Hydrological Plan dam on the River Narla in Lugo (Galicia) a scheduled Site

of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network

The Spanish National Hydrological Plan includes a dam on the River Narla at Lugo in Galicia, supposedly
intended to supply water to the Lugo Municipal area and also to the municipalities of Outeiro de Rei and
Rábade.

This scheme has led to various political and social organisations taking the initiative of drawing up
proposals for better, more ecological and more appropriate solutions to the problem.

The Association for the Ecological Defence of Galicia (ADEGA) believes the dam to be unnecessary and
harmful, and has submitted its claims to the Spanish Environment Ministry’s Directorate-General for
Quality and Environmental Assessment. ADEGA claims,
in particular that (a) the area affected by the
dammed water is a Site of Community importance in accordance with the terms of Annex III of Directive
92/43/EEC (1) (cid:1) and is included in the Natura 2000 network, covering an area allocated both upstream
and downstream of the rive Minho; (b) it has not been proven that there is a serious need that the planned
infrastructure should take precedence over the objectives of the Natura 2000 network; (c) that the waters
of the River Minho, Galicia’s largest, would (cid:1) if they were, as they need to be appropriately cleaned up (cid:1)
are the most appropriate source for supplying Lugo and the other municipalities; (d) the environmental
impact study submitted does not consider any alternative to the Narla dam with regard to supplying Lugo;
(e) the reasons underpinning the designation of the area as a place of Site of Community importance
included in Natura 2000 have been ignored or treated with contempt. The BNG has made similar
proposals, voiced by its representatives on the Lugo City Council.

Is the Commission aware of this scheme? Does it know that in the claims submitted to the Spanish
Ministry by ADEGA, the scheme is viewed as incompatible, (cid:1) generally, permanently, irreversibly and
irredeemably (cid:1) with any respect for the biodiversity and conservation features of the place of Community
interest, and that ADEGA has requested that the site be declared a biosphere reserve? Is the Commission
aware that there are requests that the dam scheme be abandoned, and the earmarked investment be used
to double the Lugo city supply network from the River Minho? Is the Commission prepared to ensure that
this scheme respects Community law? Will the Commission be approaching the Spanish, Galician and
Lugo provincial and municipal authorities in this connection?

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

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2004)

The Commission has not received any information on the issue raised by the Honourable Member.

Irrespective of whether or not the Commission receives any document concerning the project of this dam
in the river Narla, European environmental legislation and especially the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/
43/EC) (1), the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) (2) and the Directive on the assessment
of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (Directive 85/337/CEE) (3) must be
respected. In particular, if the area affected by the dammed water is a Site of Community interest, Article 6
of the Habitats Directive has to be fulfilled. Moreover, Directive 85/337/CEE aims to ensure that projects
belonging to certain types that have significant effects on the environment must, as a rule, be subjected to
an environmental impact assessment.

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/759

The Commission will request further information from the Spanish Authorities in order to ensure that
European environmental legislation is properly applied.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2) Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for

Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(3) Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment, OJ L 175, 5.7.1985 as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997,
OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(2004/C 84 E/0854)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0077/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Waste water treatment in Ireland

What response, if any, has the Commission received from the Irish Government in relation to the final
written warning it sent to the Irish Government in July (IP/03/1108) regarding the treatment of urban
waste water? What is the Commission’s attitude to the Irish Government’s response and what action is it
now taking or proposing to take in this matter?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2004)

The Commission notified a Reasoned Opinion to Ireland on 7 October 2002 with regard to Council
Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment (1). In 2003, Ireland sent
two responses to this Reasoned Opinion. These responses are still under consideration.

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991.

(2004/C 84 E/0855)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0080/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Rheumatism and Biomed programme

According to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), more than 50 % of Europe’s population
suffer, at one time or another, from an acute or chronic rheumatic disease. Has the Commission given
consideration to including the combating of rheumatic diseases as a theme under the Biomed programme
and if so, what conclusions has it come to?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2004)

The Commission’s commitment in rheumatic diseases research is evident in eight on-going projects related
to rheumatic diseases, financed with an EU financial contribution of more than EUR 11 million under the
5th Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development. The results of these projects are
expected from 2004 onwards.