Israel Environment Bulletin Summer 1997-5758, Vol. 20, No. 3
EUROPEAN UNION TO FUND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN ISRAEL
The European Union has decided to spend over $1 million in the joint-
financing of four environmental projects in Israel in the framework of its
LIFE II programs.
The projects to be financed are:
The restoration and conservation of fauna and flora in the re-flooded Hula
Wetland Habitat: This involves the reintroduction to the area of lost
animals and plant species such as the native water buffalo, the protection
of species and sites from intrusive plants and harmful rodents, the
creation of special habitats and monitoring of the ecosystem. The
beneficiaries are the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Ministry of
Agriculture and MIGAL.
The Galicomp Project - Centralised treatment of organic waste in the
Galilee Panhandle: The objective of this program is to provide a technical
solution for the disposal of organic farm waste and municipal fibrous
waste in the area and includes the construction of a centralised site for
waste treatment which will help recycle natural resources and protect
water supplies. The beneficiary is the Upper Galilee Regional Council.
Restoration of rivers in Israel's coastal plain: This LIFE II project is
intended to help the Ministry of the Environment to prepare a
comprehensive national master plan for the restoration of the rivers in
Israel's coastal plain. This will include a survey of all major sources of
pollution, surveys of the ecology and natural and cultural resources of
lands adjacent to rivers, guidelines for water quantities and qualities
needed for restoration of streams, and river-specific masterplans.
Municipal solid waste management - A demonstration project in Kiryat
Tivon: The overall objective of this project is to demonstrate the
feasibility of a separated collection and processing of both wet and dry
municipal solid waste. Observers from other towns in Israel, the
Palestinian Authority and Jordan will participate in this project.
In addition to the above, the city of Ashdod will participate in a
regional LIFE project called ENVIMED II as part of a network with Larnaca
and Limassol (Cyprus), Tripoli (Lebanon) and Sousse (Tunisia). This
includes a survey of the environmental situation in Ashdod.
Created in 1992, LIFE II is the only EU instrument which provides aid for
the environment throughout the EU and in bordering regions. LIFE II is
divided into three categories: Environment, Nature, and Third Countries
under which the Israel projects were funded. In 1997, LIFE-Third Countries
will grant almost $5 million for 16 projects selected from 121 proposals.
Of these 13 are in the Mediterranean and 3 in the Baltic regions. The
total budget of LIFE II which covers the years 1996-99 is some $518
million.