US Army Corps Report Paints Bleak Picture for Enbridge's Proposed Line 5 Tunnel
A new federal environmental review of Enbridge's proposed Line 5 oil tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac paints a dire picture of permanent wetland damage and lasting cultural impacts. The US Army Corps of Engineers' Final Environmental Impact Statement concludes that the project would irreparably harm sensitive ecosystems, disrupt tribal ceremonial practices, and alter geological resources.
The report identifies multiple areas where construction activity would permanently disturb wetlands and cause long-lasting environmental damage. Approximately 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material would be removed during tunnel construction, changing subsurface geology beneath the Straits of Mackinac irreversibly.
Critics argue that the proposed tunnel is not a viable solution to the ongoing crisis but rather an industrial intrusion into the Great Lakes designed to extend the life of Enbridge's aging pipelines. The project has sparked renewed opposition from pipeline opponents, who point to the federal review's findings as conclusive evidence that the plan would cause lasting harm.
Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil & Water Don't Mix, a group opposed to the pipeline, stated: "These impacts are not temporary, and they cannot be undone. The Army Corps fast-tracked Enbridge's tunnel proposal under political pressure. Even so, the Final EIS makes clear that this project would cause lasting harm to the Great Lakes."
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will decide whether to issue a Clean Water Act permit for the project, with McBrearty urging state regulators to block it due to unresolved treaty rights concerns.
Meanwhile, a US Supreme Court case is set to determine where a long-running lawsuit by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel seeking to shut down existing Line 5 pipelines belongs. The high court's review will help clarify whether Nessel's shutdown lawsuit can proceed in state or federal court, setting an important precedent for the fate of the contentious pipeline project.
The Army Corps' report serves as a stark reminder that Enbridge's proposed tunnel is not just an environmental concern but also one with profound cultural and historical implications.
A new federal environmental review of Enbridge's proposed Line 5 oil tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac paints a dire picture of permanent wetland damage and lasting cultural impacts. The US Army Corps of Engineers' Final Environmental Impact Statement concludes that the project would irreparably harm sensitive ecosystems, disrupt tribal ceremonial practices, and alter geological resources.
The report identifies multiple areas where construction activity would permanently disturb wetlands and cause long-lasting environmental damage. Approximately 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material would be removed during tunnel construction, changing subsurface geology beneath the Straits of Mackinac irreversibly.
Critics argue that the proposed tunnel is not a viable solution to the ongoing crisis but rather an industrial intrusion into the Great Lakes designed to extend the life of Enbridge's aging pipelines. The project has sparked renewed opposition from pipeline opponents, who point to the federal review's findings as conclusive evidence that the plan would cause lasting harm.
Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil & Water Don't Mix, a group opposed to the pipeline, stated: "These impacts are not temporary, and they cannot be undone. The Army Corps fast-tracked Enbridge's tunnel proposal under political pressure. Even so, the Final EIS makes clear that this project would cause lasting harm to the Great Lakes."
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will decide whether to issue a Clean Water Act permit for the project, with McBrearty urging state regulators to block it due to unresolved treaty rights concerns.
Meanwhile, a US Supreme Court case is set to determine where a long-running lawsuit by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel seeking to shut down existing Line 5 pipelines belongs. The high court's review will help clarify whether Nessel's shutdown lawsuit can proceed in state or federal court, setting an important precedent for the fate of the contentious pipeline project.
The Army Corps' report serves as a stark reminder that Enbridge's proposed tunnel is not just an environmental concern but also one with profound cultural and historical implications.
I'm really worried about this Enbridge thing, you know? The report from the US Army Corps of Engineers sounds super grim for the environment... like, 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material would permanently damage these wetlands 
. And what's with all the geological changes beneath the Straits of Mackinac? It just doesn't seem right to me. I get that we need energy and all, but can't we find a way to do it without hurting our planet like this? 
The fact that this project is being fast-tracked under pressure from politicians 
is just, like, super concerning. We gotta think about the long-term effects on the Great Lakes and the people who depend on them 
. This report really makes me wonder if Enbridge's proposed tunnel is even a good idea...
. i mean, can't they just leave the Great Lakes alone? like, what's next, drilling in the Grand Canyon? 
seriously though, 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material? that's a lot of dirt. and it's not like Enbridge is even trying to mitigate the damage or anything, just "oh, we'll be fine". no thanks. 
Environmental Impact Alert 
and geological changes. Not to mention cultural impacts on Native American ceremonial practices 
.
The Army Corps' report is pretty conclusive too - it's saying that this project would be irreparably harming ecosystems and altering geological resources. We gotta take these concerns seriously 
. What do you guys think? Should we prioritize environmental protection or economic growth? 
. I mean, think about it, we're talking about a massive oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac here, which is like, totally sacred to some Native American tribes. And now the Army Corps is saying that this tunnel would permanently hurt the ecosystem and cultural practices? That's just devastating 
. I get that we need energy sources, but do we have to go to such extremes? It feels like we're putting profits over people and the planet.
man this line 5 thing gotta stop... its like they're tryin to mess up the great lakes for profit 
. The fact that the US Army Corps fast-tracked this proposal under pressure is just wild - what's going on behind the scenes? 
.
. and whats w/ all dese treaty rights concerns? cmon ppl, let's jus focus on protectin the environment & not gettin caught up in all dat drama 
. maybe the michigan dep will block it or maybe enbridge wll push thru & ruin everythin 
. idk, idk...
️. We need to make sure that we're putting the needs of people and the environment above corporate interests 