Wisconsin Approves Enbridge Pipeline Reroute Permits

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved permits for Enbridge Energy to reroute a segment of its Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Reservation, allowing for the replacement of 20 miles of existing pipeline with 41 miles of new pipeline that will entirely bypass the reservation. This decision follows five years of public input and several studies, although the project remains controversial and faces opposition from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who express concerns over potential environmental impacts to wetlands and water quality. The DNR's permits include over 200 conditions aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and Enbridge is required to complete the project by November 2027. The company still requires additional permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before construction can commence. The tribe previously sued Enbridge in 2019 over the pipeline's impact on their land, and they continue to advocate for its complete removal rather than rerouting. Despite the DNR's approval, tribal leaders remain critical of the project, citing risks to their watershed and traditional resources.