(2001/C 46 E/128) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1081/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the
Commission (7 April 2000)
 

Subject: Taking account of protests at the devastation ofresidential and natural areas by the construction ofa
dam in the Spanish region ofNavarre
l. Is the Commission aware that after completion ofthe Itoiz dam (which is 135 m in height and 35 km in
length) the rivers Irati and Urrobi in the Pyrenees in the north ofthe Spanish region ofNavarrewill flow into a l
100 ha reservoir which will require the submersion ofnine villages in their entirety andparts ofsix others, that in
addition the nature andbird conseryation areas (Txintxurrenea, Gaztelu and Inyarbe) created and protected with
support from the European Union will be flooded, resulting in the disappearance ofrare species ofeagles,
vultures and owls, while the otter has already disappeared thanks to the building work?
2. Is the Commission familiär with the action ofthe Spanish group 'Solidarios con Itoiz", äs reported in various
media, which took place during the opening Speech by chairman Abu-Zeid on the occasion ofthe second Worid
Water Forum held in The Hague from 17 to 22 March 2000?
3. Is the Commission also aware that one ofthe main official arguments for building the dam, namely the
creation of57 000 ha ofland for intensive farming, is not supported by the latest thinking whereby a sustainable
environmental policy involves reducing the area ofland under cultivation, less intensive farming and
maintaining or extending nature conservation areas?
4. Can the Commission confirm that there are still no detailed and approved plans for the 177 km canal needed to
the south ofNavarre, that the project does not appear in SpainDs national irrigation plan currently in force, that
the retum on this project is extremely dubious and that two-thirds ofthe expected increase in electricity
production is offset by the discontinuation ofexisting production of electricity at plants along the existing river
banks?
5. Is the Commission aware that the construction ofthis dam is highiy controversial because of:
(a) the trial andsentencing offormer ministers ofthe region ofNavarre for accepting bribes for allocating
building concessions;
(b) the decisions of29 September 1995 and 14 July 1987 by the highest courts in Spain which did not approve
the technical project;
(c) the fact that the firm Burson-Matseller was brought in to convince the mass media and public opinion ofthe
desirability ofthis project?
6. What does the Commission intend to do:
(a) to help protect the countryside and fauna in the Westem Pyrenees >from the detrimental effects ofthe
planned dam on the countryside and natural life, and (b) to reach an agreement with the relevant Spanish
authorities in this respect?
-H-+
Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission
(17May2000)
The Commission received a complaint conceming the construction ofthe Itoiz dam and conducted an
investigation. On 30 November 1994, the Commission decided not to open infringement proceedings in respect
ofthis matter. A press release to this effect was issued on 9 December 1994 (l), including the necessary
elements to explain why the file was closed.
It must be noted that the Community has not granted any financing for the construction ofthe Itoiz dam in the
Navarre region of Spain.
Furthermore, äs a result ofthe suggestions made by the Commission following the closure ofthe file, the
Spanish authorities notified an enlargement ofthe special protection areas where the project is located. Recently,
they have communicated to the Commission new designations of special protection areas in the area ofBardenas
Reales.
With regard to the observations conceming thejudgements delivered by national courts in this issue, it should be
noted that it would be inappropriate for the Commission to comment. It should also be noted that a recent
judgement ofthe Spanish Constitutional Court has overtumed a previous decision by the Spanish Supreme Court
against this project. Given the fact that the Itoiz dam project has now been constructed, the Commission does not
see any purpose in prolonging commentary on a Commission decision dating from 1994.
13.2.2001 EN C 46 E/l 19 Official Journal ofthe European Communities