Question for written answer E-008255/2011 to the Commission Rule 117 Sonia Alfano (ALDE) Subject: Erosion and disappearance of the beach at Desusino (Caltanissetta province, Italy), a Natura 2000 site The coastline at Marina di Butera (Caltanissetta province, Italy) consists of some 8.4 km, stretching from Manfria to Castello di Falconara. The area forms part of the EU's Natura 2000 network, under both the habitats directive (ITA050011 Torre Manfria) and the wild birds directive ( ITA050012 Torre Manfria, Biviere and Piana di Gela). Unfortunately, thanks to a series of human interventions and the short-termism of local and regional politics, recent decades have witnessed a steady deterioration in this coastline, and especially in the area around Desusino, where continual erosion is now reaching the point where parts of the coastline are disappearing altogether. Only in the last three years, 20 metres of beach have disappeared, as is clear from the photographic evidence attached to the geomorphological study of the Butera coastline carried out by the geology department at Catania University. The data concerned may be found on- line at: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/- cw67Dj469qQ/TfnsUHPot7I/AAAAAAAAAf0/NHfT5EQ5nPc/s1600/erosione+2008-2010.jpg). In the wake of protests from a spontaneously created citizens' committee, the Sicily region appeared to have committed itself to financing an initial extraordinary intervention with a view to rehabilitating this coastline, but subject to the municipality of Butera submitting a preliminary project for the operation by September 2010. Unfortunately, the municipality did not submit that project, possibly for lack of funds. The result is that, with the two authorities each seeking to pin responsibility on the other, nothing whatever has been done to protect this Natura 2000 site. 1. Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs? 2. Will the Commission examine the matter in detail, given that it involves a location of Community interest? 876626.EN PE 472.505.