November 11, 2007 Oil Spill -

On November 11, 2007, a major oil spill in the Strait of Kerch damaged miles and miles of pristine coastline on Russia’s Taman Peninsula. Crude Accountability, together with our partners “Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus” and “Saving Taman!”, a local environmental organization based on the Peninsula, have been campaigning to stop the further development of oil and gas transportation facilities on Taman for fear that it would destroy the unique environment of Taman, along with its cultural and historical heritage. Much of the coast depicted in Crude Accountability’s slideshow on Taman was oiled from the spill. Beaches at Volna, Chushka, the Tuzla Spit and most of Taman were destroyed by the accident ( see photos taken the day after the spill).

In October 2007, environmental activists from Taman sent an appeal to the President of Russia, to the IFC, the EBRD and to UNEP, demanding that Taman not be developed as an oil and gas site, but rather as a tourism and recreation destination. They hand delivered the appeal to Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, asking that the Bank stop its investments on Taman, where the IFC is financing the development of the Russkiy Mir Terminal. On November 19, 2007, activists again voiced their concerns and demands in a letter to President Zoellick. We wonder when governments, banks, and corporations will begin to listen to the demands of civil society and protect the natural environment and livelihoods of those who depend on its health.

For more detailed information on the devastating oil spill, please see Environmental Watch press releases on the North Caucasus.: