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Pacific Oil
Pipeline Update - November 2005
Environmentalists and Scientists:
Proposed terminus of Russian Oil Pipeline threatens endangered
Leopard, Marine Protected Area
For Immediate Release - November 8, 2005
- oil spill risk can be reduced by 17 times
if route is changed, report concludes.
- pipeline will place last 35 wild Amur
Leopards at risk.
- local economy threatened by large-scale
oil spill.
To download report, click
here or go to www.pacificenvironment.org.
San Francisco,
CA - According to an international coalition of scientists
and environmental groups, the likelihood of a catastrophic oil
spill along the proposed Siberian-Pacific Pipeline (SPP) can be
reduced 17 times by changing the location of the pipeline's terminal.
The Transneft-operated pipeline, as proposed, will cut directly
through the habitat of the Amur Leopard, of which there are only
35 remaining in the wild. The pipeline will then end at the Russian
Far East Bay of Perevoznaya, on the Sea of Japan, a pristine and
undeveloped coastline that is a popular vacation spot. Transneft
is Russia's state oil pipeline monopoly.
A report released today by the coalition
concludes that the pipeline should be rerouted to end in a pre-existing
port such as nearby Nakhodka, which already has an established
industrial infrastructure. The report shows that Transneft is
using bad data to justify the selection of Perevoznaya as a terminal
location.
The Siberia-Pacific Pipeline, when completed,
will be the longest and most expensive oil pipeline in the world.
It will be more than three times as long as the Trans-Alaska oil
pipeline, and will cost at least $15 billion. Transneft claims
the pipeline will have the capacity to pump up to 80 million tons
of oil a year. While the pipeline will run through Russian territory,
it is largely being built to supply Siberian oil to markets in
Asia.
Fifteen percent of Russia's endangered species
live exclusively in the area near the proposed terminal site in
Southwest Primorsky Krai. One of these is the Amur leopard, the
world's most threatened big cat. The pipeline would cut directly
through a wildlife refuge, and the proposed terminal site is adjacent
to Kedrovaya Pad, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
According to the report, Perevoznaya is
the worst possible spot for an oil terminal. Strong wind and fog
are common in Amur Bay, which is large, open and shallow. This
will expose tankers to frequent storms and high waves, and tankers
will need to navigate through a string of small islands to reach
the terminal.
"Perevoznaya is clearly the wrong choice
for the oil terminal," said Leah Zimmerman, Russia Program
Associate at Pacific Environment, an environmental organization
with staff in both the United States and Russia. "Transneft
and the Russian government should make the wise choice for the
Russian economy and for the environment - build the terminal near
Nakhodka instead of at Perevoznaya."
"At this point, every bit of habitat
matters for the survival of the Amur leopard. Any encroachment
on their land by disruptive pipeline construction would be devastating,"
said Chris Pfefferkorn, North American Studbook Keeper for the
Amur leopard.
The report is being released today at a
press conference held in Moscow by the report's authors, including
Pacific Environment (USA), Greenpeace Russia, WWF Russia, the
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW Russia), Moscow Zoo,
Phoenix Fund (Vladivostok), professor Boris Preobrazhensky (Institute
of Geography, Russian Academy of Science, Russian Far Eastern
Branch), The Sea Protection Institute (Vladivostok) and Tigris
Foundation (Holland).
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
You can also help by becoming a member
of DSWF. Click here for more information
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