February 2, 2022
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) has extended the public comment period for Enbridge Line 5 draft Environmental Impact Statement. The move was in response to a letter sent by the Wisconsin League of Women Voters and nine other organizations concerned that the period was too short considering the complexity of the project, including the over 400 page draft EIS that was released on December 18, 2021.
WIDNR has extended the period by another two weeks.
The public hearing for the project is tonight beginning at 4 PM. The hearing is also being live streamed.
The hazardous liquid pipeline 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.
Under state law, the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Line 5 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 are needed to weigh in on the draft EIS.
Public comments should be sent:
Email: dnroeeacomments@wi.gov
U.S. mail:
Line 5 EIS Comments
DNR (EA/7)
101 South Webster StreetMadison, WI 53707
Line 5 cuts across the heart of the Bad River Reservation where it continues to operate despite ongoing litigation. Enbridge is also operating Line 5 without permits through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and under the Straits of Mackinac, where they have refused to comply with an order from the Governor of Michigan to shut down.
Enbridge proposes to build a new section of pipeline around the perimeter of the Bad River 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. Their plans include blasting through the asbestos-rich million-year-old bedrock of the Penokee Hills in order to drill miles of HDD (horizontal directional drilling) under all major waterways in the watershed.
“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.”
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
I find it mind boggling Line 5 is still being discussed. En bridge has proven to be no steward of our precious resources. They have lied and obfuscated and refused to abide by legal requirements. Please drop kick these environmental violators and their dirty oil ambitions to the curb.