FINNS PREPARE FOR THE WORST: A RUSSIAN OIL SPILL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 001231 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: NA TAGS: SENV EWWT EPET EUN FI SUBJECT: FINNS PREPARE FOR THE WORST: A RUSSIAN OIL SPILL IN THE GULF OF FINLAND ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Fearing that Russia will react slowly to an oil spill and utilize controversial environmentally harsh clean up methods, Finland has taken a leadership role in the region by developing new oil spill clean up technology and by providing bilateral aid to Russia. During the past decade, oil transportation in the Gulf of Finland has increased by a factor of six, and experts predict shipping from Russian ports will increase by an additional 50 percent over the next ten years. Given that the Baltic Sea is also shallow, heavily polluted and dotted with hundreds of islands; it is environmentally fragile enough that a serious spill would have devastating economic and social consequences both in Finland and the region. Finland therefore hopes that its aid and outreach efforts with Russia now will payoff later should an oil spill in Russian waters occur. End summary. Will Russia Call? Likely Scenario during an Oil Spill -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In the event of an oil spill, GOF Environment Ministry officials want the Russians to request Finnish assistance immediately. However they fear that RussiaQs complicated legal framework and confusion over jurisdiction may ultimately delay such a request. Finnish NGOs recognize the excellent training of their under-equipped St. Petersburg colleagues, but are concerned about a disconnect between local authorities and Moscow over oil spill clean up authority. Since the clean up window in the narrow Gulf of Finland is limited to one to three days before the oil reaches land and since Russia has only one oil spill cleanup vessel in the entire Baltic Sea (compared to FinlandQs 15 ship-size vessels, and over 100 smaller vessels),Russia will need to make its formal request quickly for any assistance to be effective. Regardless, should an oil spill occur, Finland plans to deploy an oil combating vessel within four hours even though such a vessel would be unable to enter Russian waters until Russia formally requests assistance. Citing communication challenges and bureaucratic inertia in Moscow, GOF officials fear that by the time the request arrives, it will be too late. Regional Cooperation and Controversy -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The nine members of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) (which include Russia) are legally committed to assist each other during an oil spill; however, success depends on member states fulfilling their commitment to each other. Annually HELCOM organizes an oil spill response exercise to improve interoperability and training. HELCOM officials said the organization has defined procedures for requesting assistance from other countries; however, even during scheduled exercises response times vary greatly -- with Russian response being near the bottom. HELCOM officials carefully sidestepped questions about RussiaQs overall oil spill preparation by saying that actual preparation is a Qmember state issue and that Russia is an effective and contributing member of HELCOM. ¶5. (SBU) While HELCOM strongly recommends environmentally- friendly mechanical clean up methods that absorb or physically remove oil from water, these methods are also the most expensive and difficult to use. Many believe Russia would resort to less expensive dispersal agents such as surfactants, solvents, or other compounds -- a highly controversial method in the region since dispersants simply cause the spilled oil to dilute and sink to the bottom. Experts question the effectiveness of dispersants in icy conditions and in water as shallow as the Baltic Sea. Under the right conditions, burning spilled oil may also be considered as a method; however, this method requires extensive preparation and optimum sea conditions to be effective. Challenges Posed By the Baltic Sea Environment -------------- - ¶6. (SBU) Finland has developed a wide range of techniques and equipment for oil spills in winter; however, Finnish officials privately express that there are many Qunsolved questionsQ in dealing with a major oil spill in either icy or stormy conditions. At the same time, Finland is concerned that the Baltic Sea is increasingly at risk of a catastrophic spill. It is extremely shallow and already heavily polluted. This fact, coupled with the significant number of islands in the Baltic Sea, makes the coastline HELSINKI 00001231 002 OF 002 especially vulnerable to long-term consequences from such a spill. Congested and intersecting traffic lanes, combined with severe storms and icy conditions make it increasingly difficult to operate in the Baltic Sea. Of the 151 shipping accidents in the Baltic Sea in 2005, 13 required some sort of environmental clean up. During a recent Baltic Sea Conference, GOF officials said the nine members of HELCOM likely have insufficient equipment to deal with a major oil spill. WARE