Earlier today I signed a petition and e-mailed a form letter (with my personal message attached) to Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin, asking him to save Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, from environmentally
irresponsible industries.
See a copy of the form letter below:

Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

We are writing to you today about Lake Baikal and the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill. As the world’s deepest lake and largest reservoir of freshwater on the planet, Lake Baikal is a world treasure that has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Along with people throughout Russia, we are concerned about the pollution that has been caused by the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill.


We are pleased that the Russian government has stated clearly that the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill must move to a closed-cycle and not pollute the lake. We are concerned that Continental Management, the owner of the mill, is asking for a waiver that would allow it to pollute, and is using the livelihoods of almost 1,400 workers in Baikalsk as blackmail to gain the pollution waiver. We ask you to remain firm in denying Continental Management the right to pollute Lake Baikal.


We are also concerned about the residents of the town of Baikalsk. We believe Lake Baikal offers many opportunities for the development of environmentally sustainable businesses. You once protected Baikal before by making the right decision to move the pipeline from its shores. We ask you to support the people of Baikalsk and their initiatives to develop new, environmentally sound enterprises.


Thank you,

First Name
Last Name
Email*
Zip/Postal Code*

This letter was created by a grassroots environmental group called Pacific Environment.
I've included a
copy of their mission statement below:

"Our Mission

Pacific Environment protects the living environment of the Pacific Rim by promoting grassroots activism, strengthening communities and reforming international policies.


We put our mission into action by:

Supporting Local Environmental Struggles

We dedicate over one-third of our budget each year to funding grassroots organizations on the front-lines of the environmental movement.


Holding Banks and Corporations Accountable

We confront tax-payer funded banks that back oil, gas, mining and timber extraction and the companies that profit from these often environmentally-devastating projects.


Promoting Best Practices

We support and encourage sustainable fishing, renewable energy and other initiatives that put environmental protection and communities first.


Building a Global Movement

We forge coalitions and partnerships with environmentalists and other community members around the Pacific Rim—building a united movement to deal with the global threats we face.


Our Track Record

In the last two decades, Pacific Environment and our grassroots partners have:

Protected tens of millions of acres of wilderness;

Spearheaded efforts to protect endangered species like the Siberian Tiger, Amur leopard and Western Pacific Gray Whale;

Stopped the construction of environmentally-damaging oil pipelines, mines and dams; and

Forced international financial institutions to adopt higher environmental and social standards for their lending.
"


I've also included below the brief article from Pacific Environment accompanying their form letter:


"Take action to finalize a victory for Lake Baikal

The Russian environmental movement has achieved a momentous victory with an announcement by Continental Management that it is closing the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill. The mill had been dumping over 100,000 cubic meters of polluted wastewater into Lake Baikal each day.
The closure is only temporary and we need send a letter to Prime Minister Putin today to protect this victory!

The fight, however, is not over yet. Continental Management continues to blackmail the Russian government into providing the company with a pollution waiver to continue operations at the mill as before the closure. Furthermore 1,400 workers have been laid off by the closure without the provision of alternative employment. Please join us in demanding alternative employment for Baikalsk residents. As we write this action alert, Pacific Environment is hosting three people from the Baikal Region in the Bay Area to learn about renewable energy opportunities.
Send a letter today!

Closing the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill is an enormous and important victory for the Russian environmental movement! Yet the victory may only be temporary. Join us in asking the Russian government to resist Continental Management’s request for a pollution waiver and to ensure that alternative employment is provided in Baikalsk through sustainable, small-scale businesses.
Send a petition to Prime Minister Putin today!"

Pacific Environment
311 California Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2608
USA
Phone: 415/399-8850
Fax: 415/399-8860
Email: info "at" pacificenvironment. org
Email addresses for our staff are available here.

Media Inquiries: Please contact our communications coordinator Sarah Kagan by calling 415/399-8850 x309, or by emailing skagan "at" pacificenvironment. org.