The Federal Law specifies the legal regime of the Baikal Natural Territory.
In particular, it prohibits construction or reconstruction of capital facilities within the Baikal Natural Territory without a state environmental assessment. The law also makes it impossible to establish new special economic zones within the central ecological zone.
The Federal Law provides for creating a Commission for the Protection of Lake Baikal and the Socioeconomic Development of the Baikal Natural Territory and sets forth provisions which define its mandate.
The Federal Law also introduces other measures aimed at preventing environmental impact on Lake Baikal and adjacent territory when carrying out economic or other kinds of activity within the Baikal Natural Territory.
Corresponding amendments have been made to federal laws On Environmental Assessment and On Special Economic Zones to make them consistent with amendments introduced to Federal Law On Protecting Lake Baikal.