Supplemental Draft EIS Comments

Enbridge is once again employing a stalling tactic by submitting a supplemental EIS that incorporates horizontal directional drilling (HDD). This new option remains inadequate, as the risk of frac-outs is significant. This term is not unfamiliar to Enbridge—they caused at least 28 frac-outs during the Line 3 pipeline construction. What makes them confident this will not happen again, especially when the Great Lakes face such substantial risk from their errors?

Independent engineers have already noted that the bedrock in this area is rated “poor” to “extremely poor,” which is precisely what made the tunnel-boring machine a risk in the first place. If the rock quality is still poor, why would HDD be any safer or more reliable?

Additionally, treaty rights continue to be disregarded, and critical wildlife habitat and wetlands would face harmful and lasting impacts. We do not need Line 5, yet Michiganders will be left paying the price if—or when—something goes wrong. From infrastructure repairs to mitigation costs, the financial burden inevitably falls on the public, while Enbridge walks away.

We do not need Line 5. We do not want a tunnel or any supplemental workaround. Please reject this EIS permit and move to shut down Line 5. Enbridge is yet again deploying a stalling tactic by providing a supplemental EIS that incorporates HDD. This new option is still a poor one, as frac-outs are likely. This term is not unknown to Enbridge, as they caused at least 28 frac-outs during the Line 3 pipeline construction. What makes them so sure this won't happen again, especially when the Great Lakes are at significant risk due to their errors? We've already heard from engineers that the bedrock is rated poor to extremely poor, which was what made the boring machine a risk in the first place. Why would HDD be any different if the rock quality is still poor? Additionally, treaty rights are still being neglected, and precious wildlife and wetlands will encounter negative impacts and damage. We do not need Line 5 and yet Michiganders will be stuck paying the bill if, or rather, when something goes wrong. With infrastructure repairs and mitigation costs landing on us, why does Enbridge get to just walk away? We do not need Line 5. We do not want a tunnel or a supplemental solution. Please reject the EIS permit and shut down Line 5.

I urge you to reject the proposed Enbridge Line 5 project for the following reasons:
Enbridge cannot safely perform horizontal directional drilling in the Straits of Mackinac, their track record of frac-outs in their Line 3 expansion project demonstrates this.
This project forces Michigan taxpayers to carry all the risk for a foreign corporation.
There will be significant increase in health problems in the communities near the project.
It will put drinking water at risk of contamination.
It will cause harm to wildlife and their habitats, of which we must preserve at least 30% to have a livable future.
It will significantly increase the severity of climate change impacts.

For our collective well-being, I urge you to stop this project by denying permission for the Enbridge Line 5 project.

Thank you

I am against both the Line 5 and the tunnel proposed. Now we are hearing a new technique. It's bait and switch. Water is the backbone of both life and the Michigan economy. Why do we citizens have to shoulder all the risk for a foreign government. The Straits of Mackinac need to be protected from a disastrous oil spill. Future generations will look back at us with either disgust or pride. Please do the right thing. No drilling!

This is a bait and switch by Enbridge and the Army Corps of Engineers, after focusing on the tunnel for years.
Enbridge cannot safely perform HDD drilling in the Straits of Mackinac, their track record of frac-outs in their Line 3 expansion project demonstrates this.
This project still forces Michigan taxpayers to carry all the risk for a foreign corporation.

This is a bait and switch by Enbridge and the Army Corps of Engineers, after focusing on the tunnel for years.
Enbridge cannot safely perform HDD drilling in the Straits of Mackinac, their track record of frac-outs in their Line 3 expansion project demonstrates this (*see citation below). Also, This project still forces Michigan taxpayers to carry all the risk for a foreign corporation.

We cannot afford to risk the Great Lakes, our economy, our ecosystem, land & tourism for a company with a bad track record in Michigan (see the Marshall/Kalamazoo River Spill from 2010) and elsewhere.


*From Sierra Club, Wisconsin Chapter “Enbridge, Pipelines and Horizontal Directional Drilling”:

“Enbridge is responsible for at least 28 frac outs that took place during Line 3 pipeline construction. Line 3 is a pipeline expansion that carries tar sands crude oil from Alberta, Canada to Superior, Wisconsin. The 1,097 mile pipeline includes a 337-mile stretch across northern Minnesota, undeniably posing a serious and unnecessary risk to lakes and streams. Drilling fluid was released at 12 river crossings in Minnesota violating the MPCA's 401 Water Quality Certification.”

On July 6th, 2021, 80-100 gallons of drilling fluid was released into Willow River in Aitkin County. This river flows directly into the Kettle River which is classified as a “restricted” Outstanding Resource Value Waters (ORVW), meaning it has extra levels of protection. After the frac out occurred, protestors reported zero state officials monitoring the incident or collecting water samples. These precautions are vital in ecologically sensitive areas (Willow River!); post-cleanup remediation measures, and/or recovery monitoring is required immediatelyThis project still forces Michigan taxpayers to carry all the risk for a foreign corporation.

As a lifelong resident of southwestern Michigan, predominantly along the coastline of Lake Michigan, I have had vast daily experience observing and exploring this incredible resource of fresh water and all that this environment allows. Enbridge has proven itself to be detrimental and disrespectful regarding this irreplaceable resource - given its history of promises, broken promises, disregarding legal obligations and putting their economic gain above all else - I find it incredible that their proposal for any further permitting be considered at all. It is a slap in the face of Michiganders that our officials have not rallied in support of protecting our water resources and immediately denied Enbridge. Why would a permit for replacement tunnel installation be considered appropriate even with advanced technology data? Lake Michigan is not a grounds for experimentation particularly given its value to millions of beings for their source of fresh water, habit/home for shelter and survival and all the gifts of this Great Lake. It is time for the U S Army Corp of Engineers to stand up for Michiganders, Line 5 is a major disaster just waiting to happen, Enbridge has a responsibility to safeguard and protect our water and they have proven that they have not, will not and apparently cannot do so. Please deny this request!

Horizontal Directional Drilling should NOT be a viable option
The U. S. Army Corp’s recent public notice of a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement which identifies an alternative of using horizontal directional drilling instead of a tunnel for Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac should be deemed an unacceptable alternative. While the lack of a tunnel precludes visual safety inspections of the oil pipeline and loss of space for future utilities like fiber, my main concern is the installation assembly area. The proposed 4-mile stretch through the lower peninsula would run through two conservation easements, areas that are currently used for outdoor recreation and thus also economic drivers for the local Mackinaw City community. By cutting a large swath through Headlands and May Woods, these valuable woodlands would be defaced for a generation or more. This is unacceptable and economically damaging to the area.

Putting a pipeline under a waterway is insane. All pipelines eventually leak. Clean water is more valuable that gold. Nothing should ever be done that risks contaminating fresh water, which all life depends on.

I am writing to express my grave concerns about the Army Corps of Engineers recently-released “Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement”
around the Line 5 tunnel project. This document is essentially the federal government suggesting that Enbridge employ a technique called “Horizontal Direct Drilling” (HDD) to tunnel under the straits of mackinac instead of drilling a concrete lined tunnel to house the pipeline. This is an extremely bad idea.
HDD is used on a small scale to tunnel under roads and rivers. When Enbridge utilized these techniques to install Line 3 in Minnesota, they breached aquifers and collapsed stream beds. If the tunnel collapsed with oil flowing through it, it would result in an underground oil spill beneath the lakes which would be catastrophic. The likelihood of drilling fluid being released into the lakes is also quite high.

I am opposed to the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel project and any other related Line 5 Pipeline projects in or near the straits of Mackinac. I request that approval be denied to Enbridge for this risky tunnel project and for any other Line 5 Pipeline projects.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my requests.