EC warning over plans for road near reserve
A written warning from the European Commission over the planned construction of a highway through an EU-protected nature reserve near Lake Kaiafa, in the Peloponnese, yesterday prompted the ministers in charge of the environment and public works to sit down and discuss a compromise. In its «reasoned opinion» – the last step before legal action – the EC criticizes a study commissioned by the previous conservative government into the environmental implications of building a road in the area of Lake Kaiafa, badly burned in the forest fires of 2007. The letter describes the study as «inadequate,» noting that the project could have «irreversible repercussions.» Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Tina Birbili and Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Minister Dimitris Reppas discussed likely modifications to the project.
