WRITTEN QUESTION E-0638/02

by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: National Hydrological Plan

The Spanish government recently forwarded to DG Environment the text of a strategic environmental assessment concerning the National Hydrological Plan adopted by the Spanish Senate on 20 June 2001.

What is the Commission's technical evaluation of the strategic environmental assessment submitted by the Spanish government?

What is the procedure envisaged for the evaluation of this study?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2002)

The Commission received a copy of the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the National Hydrological Plan in January 2002. It is also available on the Spanish Environment Ministry web page (www.mma.es). In this document, the Spanish authorities present their analysis of the situation and the expectations for water resources in Spain, specifying environmental effects and shortage problems. It also identifies the main environmental consequences of water shortages and possible improvements if the proposed water transfer were to be put on place.

The document is over 150 pages long and extremely detailed. The Commission is still studying the information and should complete its assessment within the next weeks. The technical assessment of the document will be carried out internally within the Commission.

The Commission intends to continue its dialogue with the Spanish authorities in order to ensure that the relevant pieces of Community legislation are fully complied with.