91998E1554

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554/98

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Extension of docks at port of Preveza

Work has begun in the port of Preveza to extend the eastern docks by 64 metres, a project for which there is no environmental impact assessment (EIA). The present EIA relates to an extension of 37 metres and is deficient (in that it makes no mention of the impact on the marine environment), while previous studies indicate that the effects on the internationally important wetland of the Amvrakikos Gulf will be severe at the least both in terms of the flow of surface water and the movement of fish spawn which thrives in shallow coastal waters. Moreover, one of these areas of shallow water has already been destroyed by excavations to extend the docks and construct a basin and the only shallow area of water remaining lies opposite Aktion, which will also be destroyed by the increase in the speed and volume of the sea current as it enters the Gulf.

Given that:

- the work is receiving Drs 1 billion in funding under the Delors II package,

- local organizations, environmental groups and the fishermen's association have expressed their deep concern for the future of the Amvrakikos as a result of the construction work,

- the Amvrakikos Gulf is protected both by the Ramsar Convention and by Community Directives 79/409/EEC(1) and 92/43/EEC(2), and

- the present EIA is deficient and makes no mention of the impact on the marine ecosystem at the entrance to the Gulf or in the Gulf itself and is therefore in breach of Directive 85/337/EEC(3),

will the Commission say how it will intercede with the relevant Greek authorities to secure the suspension of the work on the port at Preveza until a new and complete EIA has been drawn up which includes the new data (64 metre extension) and takes into account all the factors involved in the project (the sea and its biological, physical and chemical characteristics, the seabed in the excavation area etc.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1998)

The project in question is cofinanced under the Epirus operational programme (OP).

The information available to the Commission indicates that an assessment of the project's environmental impact has been carried out, in accordance with national and Community legislation.

The Amvrakikos Gulf is an important wetland, a large part of which has been classified by Greece as a special protection area (SPA) under Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds (and also proposed as a Site of Community Importance under Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora). Given that the extension of the port of Preveza, owing to its location, is a project liable to have a significant effect on the area, the Commission has already written to the Greek authorities to check whether the ecological impact of the project on the designated site has been sufficiently studied and whether appropriate measures were taken before the authorisation was granted.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

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

(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.