Comment Period on Rerouting of Enbridge Line Extended to April 15th

Friday, March 18th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM

(AP) The comment period on a draft analysis of the environmental impact of rerouting an oil and gas pipeline around an American Indian reservation in northern Wisconsin will run for an additional month, state regulators announced Wednesday.

The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline carries oil and natural gas liquids from Superior to Sarnia. Ontario. The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa sued the company in 2019 demanding it remove the section of line that runs across the tribe’s reservation in Ashland County.

The tribe is afraid the line could rupture and contaminate its drinking water. Enbridge has proposed a 40-mile reroute around the reservation. Enbridge would need permits from multiple state and federal agencies to move ahead with the project.

The state Department of Natural Resources released a draft analysis of the environmental impact in December. Thousands of people have submitted comments on the analysis, with many saying the report is insufficient. The comment period was set to expire on Friday.

The DNR announced Wednesday that people can continue to submit comments until April 15. People can mail comments to the DNR at the agency’s headquarters at 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53707 or email them to the agency at [email protected].

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