May 15, 2007
Mr. Ian Craig
Chief Executive Officer
Sakhalin Energy Investment Company, Ltd.
CC: Mr. Yorihiko Kojima, Chief Executive
Officer, Mitsubishi Corporation
Mr. Shoei Utsuda, Chief Executive Officer, Mitsui &
Co., Ltd.
Mr. Kyosuke Shinozawa, Governor, Japan Bank for International Cooperation
International Bureau, Ministry of Finance
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economic, Trade
and Industry
Guard and Rescue, Japan Coast Guard
Request for Disclosure of the Draft Oil Spill Response Plans for the Second Phase of Sakhalin II Project
The undersigned Japanese organizations urge the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (SEIC) to disclose the draft Oil Spill Response Plans of the second phase of Sakhalin II project (OSRP) for public comment.
As you recognize, oil spill issue is one of the largest concerns for Japan, especially for the citizens and fishermen in Hokkaido. We have been addressing to SEIC and Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) which has been considering for financing the project for a long time about our concerns on the possible impacts of oil spill that Sakhalin II project would cause. Furthermore, we have been requesting that SEIC will consult with possible affected stakeholders about OSRP for the second phase and provide us opportunities to look into the plans. Responding to our request, SEIC stated in the previous meetings with us that SEIC recognized the need which has been requested(*1) .
Prevention and response of oil spill are one of the most important elements as a part of measure and mitigation for environmental impacts of oil development projects like Sakhalin II. In addition, to ensure information disclosure and public participation are basis for environmental assessment process, and which JBIC requests to project owners in its Guidelines(*2) .
We again request SEIC to disclose the draft OSRP and set up enough time for sufficient public comments and participation to consider the opinions and concerns from civil societies not to hurt the corporate value of SEIC and shareholder companies to the project. We look forward to your earlier response regarding your decision on disclosure of OSRP and the timing of disclosure if it is disclosed. Thank you very much.
Contact:
Friends of the Earth Japan (Naomi Kanzaki)
3-30-8-1F Ikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0014
TEL: (+81)3-6907-7217 FAX: (+81)3-6907-7219 Email:kankan@foejapan.org
As an example, see the minutes of SEIC explanation at 8th meeting of Sakhalin Environmental Forum (page 13.) which JBIC hold in May 12, 2005. " We(SEIC) had already established OSRO for the first phase and the one for the second phase will be disclosed to the public. We plan Japanese stakeholder read it carefully and we will take their preferences and hopes into account in the plan." >https://www.jbic.go.jp/japanese/environ/sahalin/pdf/08_gijiroku_01.pdf
JBIC Guidelines for Confirmation of Environmental and Social Considerations: It also takes note of the importance of transparent and accountable processes, as well as the participation in those processes of stakeholders in the project concerned, including local residents and local NGOs affected by the project. (Part 1. 1. JBIC's Basic Policies Regarding Confirmation of Environmental and Social Considerations)
Endorsement:
Dolphin & Whale Action Network
Fukuoka NGO Forum on ADB
WILD LIFE RESCUE VETERINARIAN Association
JACSES
Friends of the Earth Japan
Ocean Engineering Research, Inc.
Shimin Gaikou Centre:Citizens' Diplomatic Centre for the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples
Shiretoko-Nemuro Strait Orca Group
Okhotsk Branch of Wild Bird Society of Japan
Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan(IRBJ)
Hokkaido Raptor Research