WRITTEN QUESTION No. 493/99 by Undine-Uta BLOCH von BLOTTNITZ Destruction of the environment on the Greek island of Gavdopoula
21. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 370/35 (1999/C 370/045) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0396/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 March 1999) Subject: Environmental damage to Gavdos Gavdopoula group of islands Environmental organisations in Crete claim that the Gavdos-Gavdopoula group of islands off the south coast of Crete which has been included in the Natura 2000 network as a priority area is to be the site for the construction of industrial plants, a heliport, jetties for mooring along the entire coastline of the islet of Gavdopoula, installations for supplying ships and housing for 400 people on the island of Gavdos. If these claims are correct, this project will destroy an important habitat as well as the cultural and social cohesion of the area as a whole, the Commission: 1. Is it aware of the plans for the above projects? 2. Does it know whether the requisite environmental impact assessments have been carried out and is it aware that the area concerned is protected? 3. Will it ask the Greek authorities to revoke the decisions concerned in order to maintain the ecological balance and the exceptional beauty of the area? (1999/C 370/046) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0493/99 by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission (5 March 1999) Subject: Destruction of the environment on the Greek island of Gavdopoula According to recently published plans, a harbour complex is to be built on the Greek island of Gavdopoula which will totally destroy the local ecosystem. It is planned to level the entire island to a height of 6 metres above sea level. The material produced in this way is to be used to increase the size of the island in order to enable a private harbour to be built with anchorage facilities for vessels up to 12 metres in length. Industrial buildings, storage halls and administration complexes are to follow. The island of Gavdopoula and the surrounding region are protected by the FFH (Fauna, Flora and Habitat) Directive, and the Greek Government accorded this region special protection status a long time ago. It is an important resting place for migratory birds on the way to Africa. 14 species of land snail which exist nowhere else on earth and other rare species are to be found on the island. Mediterranean monk seals and seaturtles live in the surrounding waters. Antiquities which are an important part of Europe’s cultural heritage have also been found there. the level of protection imposed on the region of 1. What view does the Commission take of Gavdopoula by the provisions of the FFH Directive, and does it consider that this is adequate at least to prevent the degradation of the local environment, as the Directive demands? Does it consider that the plans for the region of Gavdopoula are acceptable in the light of European 2. environmental protection standards? Does it consider that the environmental impact studies carried out in connection with the above 3. plans meet the standards set down by European legislation in this area?