http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/608/t/425/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26619

Protect Lake Baikal from Pollution!

Lake Baikal, the world’s oldest and deepest lake, is being threatened by an impending decision to reopen the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill. On October 2, 2008, the infamous mill was temporarily closed after the Russian government demanded that the mill convert to a closed-cycle system to protect Lake Baikal from pollution. The mill polluted Lake Baikal for more than 40 years, discharging some of the most dangerous chemicals—chlorine and associated dioxin byproducts—directly into the lake. Lake Baikal contains one-fifth of the planet’s fresh water and is home to over 1600 endemic species of plants and animals.

After temporarily closing the plant, Continental Management used unemployment rates in the town of Baikalsk to blackmail the Russian government, demanding a pollution waiver by February 10, 2009, to allow the mill to continue operating with an open-cycle system and to pollute Lake Baikal. Continental Management is a subsidiary of Basic Element, which is run by oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Local organizations fear the government will bow to Continental Management’s wishes, reopening the mill on February 10.

Please sign this petition ask the oligarch Oleg Deripaska, owner of Continental Management and Basic Element, to permanently shut down the mill and to invest in sustainable businesses in Baikalsk!

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/608/t/425/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26619

I am writing to ask you not to reopen the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill. Please close the mill permanently. Reopening the mill will cause damage to the Lake Baikal’s fragile ecosystems and have devastating effects on plants, animals, and the health of people in Baikalsk.

Lake Baikal is a natural wonder—a rightful source of pride for the Russian people—and is a sacred place that must be preserved and cherished. Given the potential environmental and social impacts of reopening the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill and the importance of Lake Baikal to the world, please put a stop the current plans and consider alternatives. We ask you to invest in the town of Baikalsk, turning the mill into a sustainable business and investing in tourism and other small businesses that will allow the town to prosper. Please join us in protecting Lake Baikal before it is too late. Thank you for attention to this important issue, and we look forward to your response.