Line 5 Reroute Threatens Great Lakes’ Clean Water, Wildlife, Communities

MADISON, Wisc. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' approval of a Line 5 reroute is a devastating endorsement of a major threat to the Great Lakes' wildlife, water, and people. While framed as a solution, this decision simply moves the threat, sanctioning a new and unacceptable risk to the Bad River Band's treaty-protected waters and the Great Lakes.

"This expansion of a dangerous 72-year-old oil pipeline is a fundamental injustice and a sign of a broken system," said Beth Wallace, Great Lakes climate and energy director for the National Wildlife Federation. "Approving this risky expansion, while violating Clean Water Act requirements, is not about necessity; it is about maximizing corporate profit at the expense of tribal sovereignty, our land, our water and our wildlife."

Industry supply logistics experts have clearly outlined how true security comes from an orderly shutdown of Line 5. Not only will it provide a boost to our domestic energy systems, but an orderly shutdown also will mean ending the imminent threat to the Great Lakes, respecting binding treaties, creating more jobs, and accelerating our transition to a resilient energy future.

The Army Corps of Engineers' approval does not enable Enbridge to undertake construction or new activities around the proposed reroute. Enbridge must also obtain state permits which are currently being litigated. If Enbridge conducts construction or digging without final state approval the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is required to stop such activities.