WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Construction of an incinerator at Meia Serra.
C 46 E/98 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 proper evaluation of the impact as well as a study of alternatives if the area concerned is indeed part of a site of Community importance proposed by Portugal in 1997 as a contribution to the Natura 2000 network in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive. A letter reminding the Portuguese authorities of these provisions has been sent. (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2001/C 46 E/101) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0970/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Construction of an incinerator at Meia Serra (31 March 2000) Plans are afoot to construct an incinerator at Meia Serra in the parish of Camacha in the municipality of Santa Cruz, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, as part of a project to develop and restructure the Meia Serra solid urban waste treatment centre. The chosen site is very close to a built-up area and is located in an area which contains agricultural land and a number of springs; the project therefore poses an environmental and public health threat. Will the Commission say: 1. Has any Community funding already been authorised for the construction of the Meia Serra incinerator on the island of Madeira? 2. Has it already taken steps to ensure that all the necessary measures will be taken to protect the environment and the health of the local population? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (16 May 2000) By its decision of 22 November 1999, the Commission granted aid from the Cohesion Fund for the first phase of the project concerning the Unidade de Valorizacªo de Resíduos Sólidos da Ilha da Madeiraí (Madeira solid waste treatment centre). This project includes the construction of an incinerator to replace the obsolete plant currently operating at Meia Serra, which does not comply with Community environmental legislation. The decision to grant this aid includes specific clauses to ensure full compliance with the environmental standards associated with this type of infrastructure. The project in question was also the subject of an environmental impact assessment. (2001/C 46 E/102) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0971/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (31 March 2000) Subject: Extraction and marketing of sand from the Aveiro estuary The Aveiro estuary has recently been designated a special protection zone to be included in the NATURA 2000 Network by Legal Decree 384-B/99 of 23 September. However the extraction and marketing of huge quantities of sand from the estuary are continuing