Supplemental Draft EIS Comments

I am writing to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 drilling plan at the Straits of Mackinac. The Line 5 pipeline has operated for more than seventy years and has already spilled at least 33 times, releasing more than 1.1 million gallons of oil into the environment. This aging infrastructure continues to put the largest surface freshwater system on Earth at unacceptable risk.

The Corps’ new Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) highlights just how uncertain and unstable this proposal has become. In the Corps’ May 2025 Draft EIS, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under the Straits was considered infeasible based on Enbridge’s own 2018 report and therefore was not carried forward for detailed study. Only after Enbridge recently asserted that HDD is now feasible — citing technological advances — did the Corps revive this alternative for full analysis. This abrupt shift raises legitimate concerns about inconsistent information, limited transparency, and the risks of relying on company-supplied claims, especially given Enbridge’s documented history of drilling accidents and oil spills.

The Straits of Mackinac represent one of the most sensitive and consequential locations in North America. If drilling were to fail under this narrow waterway, oil could spread rapidly into both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The likelihood of long-term ecological damage is high, and the responsibility for cleanup would fall squarely on Michigan’s communities, Tribal nations, ecosystems, and taxpayers — not the company behind the risk.

This project would also lock the region into decades more fossil fuel dependence at a time when we must prioritize resilient, climate-aligned energy
strategies.

For these reasons, I strongly urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject this proposal and protect the Great Lakes from further harm.

Folks,

What happens in Michigan does NOT stay in Michigan. Your decision on the Line 5 tunnel proposal effects everyone on the Great lakes on Lake Michigan as well as Lake Huron and to some extent Lake Erie and Ontario as everything at some point flows downstream. More importantly we do not need Line 5 at all! The United States gets very little from this pipeline and pays more in environmental cleanups over the years. And if this tunnel idea goes through and there is a problem under this agreement the state of Michigan pays for the entire cleanup! There is clearly no reason to allow Enbridge to go forth with a Line 5 tunnel. Instead have them shut down Line 5 and use Line 6 which goes around the lakes. The have already said they want to increase Line 6 capacity. So the question remains... why do we need Line 5 at all.

Respectfully submitted
Richard Mack

I oppose any drilling under the Great Lakes. I demand the Army Corps to stop their plans to drill under the Strait of Mackinac. This is risky and why did the Army Corps change their plans from reviewing a tunnel proposal to now planning to drill. It is about time this country does what the people want and not the corporations. The Corporations interest only lies with themselves not the people. Thank you for letting me say my piece.

Joanne

Please do not drill in the Great Lakes. This fresh water source is too important to risk with this kind of activity.

Government of Alberta letter of support for Enbridge Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel Project.

I oppose the Line 5 oil drilling project under the stairs of Mackinack Island in Lake Michigan due to the potential risk of an oil spill polluting our fresh water supply and ecosystem in the Great lakes.

Greetings,
I am a volunteer and citizen in Mackinaw City. I was informed about the proposed alternative easement across our land. I would like more information about this. Our board meets monthly and will need to be aware of the impact this will have. We are bound by the Little Traverse Conservancy. We will await more information from you and them. This issue is truly a surprise to me as a steward of the land.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Angie Morthland
812-797-6000

Last-minute changes to the Enbridge proposal should re-start the review process and invite additional scrutiny. Is Enbridge now less convinced that their original engineering is safe or are they trying to save money since the Trump administration is now willing to rubber-stamp projects?

See attached file.

Any drilling near the Great Lakes puts at grave risk the entire chain of Great Lakes, the drinking water of millions, and the livelihoods of millions. I DO NOT support the use of HDD using new technologies that have yet to be proven safe over extended lengths of time. This decision will impact the safety of millions for generations. Do not create a problem for our children and their children and our future.