December 21, 2021
Contact: Peg Sheaffer, MEA Communications Director
(608) 251-5047 x 3, psheaffer@midwestadvocates.org
On December 16, 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the draft Environmental Impact Statement for Enbridge Energy’s controversial plan to construct a new segment of the Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin. Under state law, the draft EIS must contain information about how the project would impact people, natural resources, and the economy. It must also include an analysis of alternatives to the proposed project.
Members of the public will now have an opportunity to weigh in on the draft EIS at a public hearing on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. The DNR will also accept written comments through Friday, March 2022.
Public comments should be sent:
Email: dnroeeacomments@wi.gov
U.S. mail: Line 5 EIS Comments, DNR (EA/7), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, WI 53707.
Line 5 is a hazardous liquid pipeline that conveys light and synthetic crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario through northern Wisconsin and both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.
The current route cuts across the heart of the Bad River Reservation where Line 5 continues to operate despite ongoing litigation. Enbridge proposes building a new section of pipeline around the perimeter of the Reservation but still within the Bad River watershed.
The construction project—which would stretch for more than 40 miles and cross nearly 200 waterbodies—would allow Enbridge to continue operating the pipeline in environmentally sensitive areas of Wisconsin that also include the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan watersheds.
“Pipeline construction in the Bad River watershed could cause significant environmental harm that must be prevented,” said MEA Staff Attorney Rob Lee. “This project would also facilitate the continued operation of the entire pipeline, which is nearly 70 years old and has already spilled at least a million gallons of oil.”
“The State of Wisconsin must ensure that Enbridge is never again allowed to show the kind of disrespect and disregard for environmental regulations they did during recent Line 3 construction in Minnesota,” said Paul DeMain of Honor the Earth, “No further pipeline permits should be given to Enbridge— anywhere in the United States—until they clean up their mess in Minnesota, where they have ruptured aquifers and spilled chemical drilling fluids into our rivers and wetlands. Wisconsin must do better. The safety of our resources and the public trust of our water hangs in the balance.”
“The draft EIS represents a critical opportunity for the public to provide input on a controversial proposal that continues to move forward, despite the harm it will cause,” stated Elizabeth Ward, executive director of Sierra Club Wisconsin. “Enbridge’s proposal, which could be devastating for the water and wetlands in the area, directly contradicts the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change recommendation to avoid all new fossil fuel infrastructure.”
“350 Madison is dedicated to stopping destructive fossil fuel projects such as Enbridge Line 5 that endanger our health, our communities, and our climate,” said John Greenler, executive director of 350 Madison. “We are at a tipping point, and the time is now to take a stand for a livable environment and a clean and just energy future.”
Visit the website of Midwest Environmental Advocates to learn more about Line 5.
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
I was there watching them drill line 3 and I have to live with the mess they left here. Enbridge is a dirty company that lies, breaks their own permits, and doesnt even have the decency to fix their mistakes. Not to mention the number of indigenous women that go missing or murdered is directly impacted by the presence of man-camps. This company spills blood not just oil.
Where and what time is this public meeting?
We must protect our environment and climate damage don’t build pipe 5
We must protect our environment and climate damage don’t build pipe 5
We need to protect our Waters, everywhere. We cannot stand for another spill..another toxin..another covered up ” accident..by enbridge. Period. These pipelines, shutdown..they
must be stopped.
I see my comment was interupted? Interfered with?
We simply can’t allow enbridge to continue there wreckless, destructive and murderous path.
They have only shown complete ignorance of humanity and disregard for all life on earth.
To allow this “gridlock” of their hazardous pipelines, old, new, not even built..will allow their terrorist style dictatorship in the U.S. I’ve seen their work, their I’ll treatment of anyone or anything standing in their way.. I’ve seen the bought off officials, politicians and public.
Money isn’t edible.
We cannot drink oil.
Is climate is in crisis already.
You go tell enbridge to clean up their mess along all of Line 3 in northern Minnesota. Remove their structures from the Calcifer Fens.they blatantly disregarded…to reverse the harms they have done.. remove the poisons in the Mississippi River and all 22 Rivers they drilled under and through. To take all the drilling mud poison out the waterways there..I’ve seen how they work. It’s ALL dirty..from the tarmacks to the pierced aquifers..to the men busted for sexual charges..to the missing and murdered Indigineous Women everywhere they have worked..and will work.
We have the evidence if anyone needs confirmation.
JUST SAY NO TO enbridge.
Wisconsin residents demand full transparency and accountability of Line 5. We must protect the health of people, wildlife and the environment at all cost.
Is there an opportunity to present our voice on this at the hearing 2/2/21?
Or only write in by email or a letter? Thank you in advance sincerely Angela M. Weise
angelamarie8956@gmail.com