Enbridge Reroute of Line 5 Project Moves Closer to Goal

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on Thursday announced its decision to issue an individual wetland and waterway permit with conditions and convey coverage under the department’s Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination Sstem Geneeral Permit for Construction Site Storm Water for the proposed replacement of a segment of Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline in Ashland and Iron Counties. The project is controversial, garnering a lawsuit from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa arguing the project is trespassing on trial lands. Since then, Enbridge has been working on a reroute of the pipeline south of the reservation. Approvals from both the DNR and U.S. Army Corps are needed before the project can proceed. Additional DNR permits or approvals for discharge of hydrostatic test water, dewatering of groundwater, burning of slash and incidental take of listed species may also be required.