Posted Draft EIS Comments

I am an economist and environmental advocate in Southeast Michigan. A few comments on the Draft EIS:

The Line 5 Tunnel Project: Unassessed Risks
The Line 5 tunnel project lacks a thorough evaluation of its potential hazards, a vital step for an undertaking that endangers the Great Lakes, our climate, and future generations.

Expert Concerns Regarding Tunnel Construction
Numerous tunnel specialists who have examined Enbridge’s proposal express apprehension about the complexities of constructing a tunnel beneath the lakebed, deeming it intricate, perilous, and technically demanding. These experts are also worried about the safety of workers involved in the hazardous pipeline construction and operation.

Questionable Justification for Fast-Tracking
The claimed “energy emergency” cited to expedite this project is unfounded and driven by political motives, and it should not take precedence over public safety and environmental safeguards.

Catastrophic Consequences of a Great Lakes Oil Spill
A potential oil spill in the Great Lakes would devastate drinking water, wildlife, and Michigan’s economy. Over 1.3 million jobs, representing $82 billion in wages, are directly linked to the Great Lakes.

Long-Term Impacts of Tunnel Approval
Greenlighting this tunnel commits us to continued reliance on fossil fuels for decades, intensifying both the climate and public health crises. Therefore, its greenhouse gas emissions and health effects must be comprehensively evaluated before any further action.

Unheeded Voices: Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities
Tribal nations and Indigenous communities have not been genuinely engaged in discussions. Their rights, treaties, and perspectives deserve to be respected.

This proposed pipeline is an irresponsible project. It puts a vital fresh water resource at significant risk for the profit of a handful of people.

I grew up on Lake Huron and took many family vacations on Mackinaw Island, St. Ignace, etc. I’m completely flabbergasted at the lack of care for our precious Great Lakes. Why would we even consider jeopardizing 20% of the worlds fresh water for oil that we don’t even depend on in our country??? Why , why,why???? It is also putting the religious and cultural practices of the local tribes at risk… not to mention the treaties that are being disregarded. This is WRONG and all involved with pushing this through should be ashamed. This is ALL for the sake of money and greed by big oil and those who support big oil. Disgusting. Shut down Line 5!!!!

Please slow down and undergo the process set in place to ensure the safety and viability of the waters of the Great Lakes. We need assessments that includes climate impacts, Indigenous rights, and public health before the Line 5 tunnel project is implemented.

The Line 5 is dangerously old and the with any chance of a leak it should not be running. The dangers of it have been recognized for so long and so far we have been fortunate that it has not leaked or had any damage, such that the Lake has remained untainted. However, there is a risk, albeit low; there’s nobody who appreciates the uniqueness and loves this unparalleled fresh water resource, who wishes to continue its running with ANY risk.
Let’s close it down to reduce that risk to ZERO, and get the safer alternative up and running. Thank you. This would be a great relief to all in the area, and most especially the tribal peoples.

Line 5 is a bad idea on two fronts:
1) it continues to support our over reliance on fossil fuels as mean temperatures continue to rise with catastrophic consequences
2) if sabotaged it remains a clear and present danger to the Great Lakes as a critical source of fresh water for millions of people.

This is one of those situations that American’s will look back at and wonder “why did they do that” and “didn’t they see the potential detrimental outcomes this could cause?”. As someone who works in both natural resources, project planning and geospatial analysis for NASA, I am deeply disappointed in the lack of thorough planning this process has undergone. The potential consequences would be not only environmental and human health, it could destroy Michigan’s tourist economy and comprise the safety and security that the great lakes provide. As the countries largest source of above ground fresh water, preserving this natural resource should be at the forefront of every planning decision. As federal workers are you really okay with this? Is this what you signed up for when decided to work in service of your country and the American people? More research needs to be done and it should be done prior to building the line 5 tunnel.

I would like to encourage all sides to come to agreement to move forward with this project. We all see the signs ‘No Oil in Our Straits’, this initiative will accomplish that, creating a safe transmission system though the Straits area. The political posturing has gone on long enough, so much time has been wasted. The longer this posturing goes on the more likely it is that something bad will happen. Then all the political hacks creating the delay will point the finger at Enbridge. There will be some environmental impact with the construction of the new tunnel, far less than an oil spill/leak.
Let’s get to work, make this safe and remove the risk, The time is now, for the benefit of all! Let’s do something Great for the Great Lakes.

Please do not allow this to happen. The great lakes are the freshwater jewel of the world. We need to be less dependent on oil and more dependent on solar and wind which regenerate freely.

It doesn’t take a scientist to know the proposed Line 5 tunnel will have huge impacts as the building of the tunnel for six years with itself destroy the water and all living organisms. The actual pipeline is a danger to Lakes Michigan and Huron. If the current line spills oil, the damage will be so great that in my lifetime the water and shoreline in those lakes and the islands in them will be destroyed.