Line 5 Tunnel Approved
Michigan agencies issue Line 5 tunnel permits with new environmental protections.
Anonymous
Key Points
1
EGLE reissued the Great Lakes Tunnel Project permit after a 16‑month review process that included a public information session, a public hearing, consideration of more than 70,000 public comments, and coordination with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan History Center, and the State Historic Preservation Office, plus reliance on an independent engineering firm's report.
2
The new permits require Enbridge to submit an improved wetland mitigation plan to address wetland impacts and include new conditions to mitigate cultural resources; EGLE also continues reviewing Enbridge's NPDES permit renewal application after a public comment period (May 19–June 30).
3
The Great Lakes Tunnel Project would involve drilling a tunnel through bedrock beneath the Straits of Mackinac to encase the 73-year-old Line 5 pipelines, reflecting the project’s bedrock route as part of the replacement plan.
4
The permit path also includes earlier approvals in 2021 (Part 303 and Part 324), with those permits expiring earlier this year and leading to the new Part 365 permit now being issued.
Michigan has issued two key permits for Enbridge's Great Lakes Tunnel Project, clearing a major path toward encasing the 73-year-old Line 5 pipelines beneath the Straits of Mackinac, according to Bridge Michigan. The Michigan DNR and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) both approved their permits — but with strict conditions to protect rare plants, bat habitats, and cultural sites.
The agencies acknowledged the project carries "significant impacts" but concluded those impacts can be managed, Bridge Michigan reported. The approvals move the project closer to a final federal decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is widely expected to result in approval.
What the Great Lakes Tunnel Project Actually Involves
The project would drill a tunnel through solid bedrock beneath the Straits of Mackinac. That tunnel would encase the existing dual Line 5 pipelines, which have carried oil and natural gas liquids since 1953. The pipelines sit on the lakebed today, raising concerns about a potential rupture in one of the world's largest freshwater systems, according to ABC 12.
EGLE's permit took 16 months to finalize, WNEM reported. The process included a public information session, a formal public hearing, and more than 70,000 public comments. Regulators also relied on an independent engineering firm's review and coordinated with the Michigan History Center and the State Historic Preservation Office.
Rare Plants and Bats Drive Strict Permit Conditions
The DNR permit targets two specific threats: damage to threatened plant species and harm to bat habitats. Enbridge must protect Houghton's goldenrod and dwarf lake iris — both rare in Michigan. Workers must preserve topsoil and collect seeds from construction zones for later restoration, according to WNEM. Restored areas will be monitored for five full years.
To protect bats, Enbridge must clear trees only in winter. That timing avoids disrupting bat roosting and breeding seasons. The DNR also requires careful management of the construction zone footprint. Long-term protections, such as conservation easements, are on the table as well, ABC 12 reported.
Tribal Consultations and Wetland Plans Still Under Scrutiny
State agencies held two separate tribal consultations during the review. Federal wildlife authorities also weighed in, concluding the project would not jeopardize the continued existence of any protected species, according to Radio Results Network. However, the permits require Enbridge to submit an improved wetland mitigation plan before work begins.
EGLE is also still reviewing Enbridge's NPDES permit — a water discharge permit — after a public comment period that ran from May 19 to June 30, Bridge Michigan noted. That review remains open, meaning additional environmental conditions could follow.
Critics Warn Permits Do Not Make the Great Lakes Safe
Not everyone sees the approvals as a win. CleanTechnica reported that environmental critics argue the tunnel plan still poses serious risks to the Great Lakes. Opponents say moving an active oil pipeline deeper into bedrock does not eliminate the threat — it just changes the location of potential failure.
The project still needs a final permit from the Michigan Public Service Commission and approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bridge Michigan reported. Until those approvals come through, construction cannot begin. The multi-agency process reflects the high stakes of building major energy infrastructure inside one of the most ecologically sensitive waterways in North America.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
14
Articles
5
Reach
19
A
AnonymousAuthor