92001E1498

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1498/01

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

(18 May 2001)

Subject: New runways at Barajas airport (Madrid)

According to reports by the environmental group Jarama Vivo the construction of the new runways at Barajas airport will irreversibly affect plant colonies of great value protected at both national and European level. In fact, the construction of the runway referred to as 18L/36R, in addition to diverting the course of the Jarama by 2 000 metres, will affect plant colonies classed as habitats of Community interest. They are included in the national inventory of habitats of Community interest on accordance with Royal Decree 1997/1995 of 7 December. This inventory was of key importance in the Region of Madrid's decision to declare the entire course of the river Jarama a site of Community importance and thus part of the Natura network. The seven habitats destroyed are fringing forests of willows, poplars, Mediterranean meadows of tall grass and reeds and plants thriving in damp and shady conditions, all of them found along the river Jarama and the streams of Las Zorreras and La Vega.

The vegetation will be damaged by both the construction works and the drying up of the Jarama. The works will clear the land, meaning that all the vegetation will disappear. 16 hectares of fringing forest, 3 hectares of scrub, 4 hectares of reedbeds, 40 hectares of meadowland and 35 hectares of replanted forests will be destroyed.

Is the Commission aware of the events reported by Jarama Vivo?

Does it consider that this project to extend the airport of Barajas (Madrid) is compatible with Council Directive 92/43/EEC(1) of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora?

Does the Commission intend to adopt any measures to protect this area?

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

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2001)

The Commission is not aware of the matters raised by the Honourable Member. However, it has verified that the area was proposed by Spain as a site of Community interest (SCI), ES 3110001 Basins of the rivers Jarama and Henares for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

The site in question has a surface area of 36 084 hectares.

The area is home to the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), a species included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. This area also contains up to thirteen different types of habitats listed in Annex I of the Directive, two of which are priority habitats (6 220 and 3 170).

The Commission will contact the Spanish authorities in order to ask them for information on the procedures applied to ensure conformity with Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC.