New Report Highlights Devastating Environmental and Cultural Consequences of Enbridge's Line 5 Tunnel Project
A recent report by the US Army Corps of Engineers has dealt a significant blow to proponents of Enbridge's proposed Line 5 oil tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac, highlighting the devastating environmental and cultural impacts that would be inflicted on this sensitive ecosystem.
The Corps' Final Environmental Impact Statement warns that construction of the tunnel would permanently damage wetlands, alter geological resources, and harm areas of deep cultural and historical significance to Indigenous tribes. The report estimates that up to 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material would be removed during construction, permanently changing subsurface geology beneath the Straits.
The project's impact on the traditional cultural landscape of Anishinaabe tribal nations is also severe, with potential disruptions to their ceremonial and cultural practices, as well as threats to archaeological resources and traditional use areas. Critics argue that the Corps' findings underscore the need for a more rigorous environmental review and highlight the urgent need to reject the project.
Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil & Water Don't Mix, a group opposed to the pipeline, has criticized the Corps' handling of the project, stating that the final EIS makes clear that this project would cause lasting harm to the Great Lakes. He argues that the Corps fast-tracked the Enbridge tunnel proposal under political pressure and failed to adequately address concerns about the project's environmental and cultural impacts.
McBrearty has also pointed to the lack of clarity on how tribal rights would be protected, citing unresolved treaty rights concerns associated with the project. He asserts that the federal review leaves critical questions unanswered and argues that state regulators should block the tunnel, as Michigan is not required to follow the federal government's conclusions.
The future of Line 5 remains uncertain, with a scheduled Supreme Court hearing in March that could determine whether a long-running lawsuit by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel seeking to shut down the existing Line 5 pipelines belongs in state or federal court.
A recent report by the US Army Corps of Engineers has dealt a significant blow to proponents of Enbridge's proposed Line 5 oil tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac, highlighting the devastating environmental and cultural impacts that would be inflicted on this sensitive ecosystem.
The Corps' Final Environmental Impact Statement warns that construction of the tunnel would permanently damage wetlands, alter geological resources, and harm areas of deep cultural and historical significance to Indigenous tribes. The report estimates that up to 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material would be removed during construction, permanently changing subsurface geology beneath the Straits.
The project's impact on the traditional cultural landscape of Anishinaabe tribal nations is also severe, with potential disruptions to their ceremonial and cultural practices, as well as threats to archaeological resources and traditional use areas. Critics argue that the Corps' findings underscore the need for a more rigorous environmental review and highlight the urgent need to reject the project.
Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil & Water Don't Mix, a group opposed to the pipeline, has criticized the Corps' handling of the project, stating that the final EIS makes clear that this project would cause lasting harm to the Great Lakes. He argues that the Corps fast-tracked the Enbridge tunnel proposal under political pressure and failed to adequately address concerns about the project's environmental and cultural impacts.
McBrearty has also pointed to the lack of clarity on how tribal rights would be protected, citing unresolved treaty rights concerns associated with the project. He asserts that the federal review leaves critical questions unanswered and argues that state regulators should block the tunnel, as Michigan is not required to follow the federal government's conclusions.
The future of Line 5 remains uncertain, with a scheduled Supreme Court hearing in March that could determine whether a long-running lawsuit by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel seeking to shut down the existing Line 5 pipelines belongs in state or federal court.
they have to think about those indigenous tribes and the environment... like 665k cubic yards of material removed?? that's crazy! 
what if it messes up their cultural practices & archaeological sites? 
i'm all for renewable energy but not at the expense of our planet & its inhabitants. we need to be more responsible with our resources 
. The idea of damaging wetlands and altering geological resources for an oil tunnel just seems so unnecessary to me. And what's worrying is the lack of clarity on how tribal rights would be protected 
. I'm all for reducing our carbon footprint but not at the expense of our environment and communities 
This whole thing just feels so reckless and irresponsible. We need to put people over profits and actually prioritize the health of our planet! 
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and cultural significance is being completely disregarded here whats next, just dig up old burial grounds and make oil wells outta em? no thanks
. As for protectin' tribal rights, good luck with that - it's all just a bunch of empty promises 
the us army corps of engineers can't just rush through an eis without considering the longterm consequences 
And what about those Native American tribes? Do we really just disregard their cultural heritage like that? It's so unfair. We need to take a step back and think about the consequences of our actions. This is all about greed and profit, not about taking care of our planet or its inhabitants 
. I remember when I was a kid, my grandparents used to take me fishing up there, it's like they're talking about messing with the whole ecosystem of the Great Lakes 
. And what really gets me is that Indigenous tribes have been warning about this stuff for years and nobody's listening 
. And what's with the federal government handling it like this? Can't they see that's what's wrong here? 
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I'm so done with these pipeline projects already. I mean, can't we just prioritize our planet's health and Indigenous rights for once? 
It's heartbreaking to think about all those wetlands getting destroyed and the cultural significance of that area being lost forever. Like, what even is the point of progress if it comes at the cost of our environment and the people who call this place home? 
. I mean, think about it - we're talking about a tunnel that would harm wetlands, alter geological resources, and disrupt Indigenous cultural practices... what's next? 
. I'm all for progress, but not at the expense of our planet's well-being and Indigenous communities' way of life 
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. Can't we just use common sense and think about the long-term effects of our actions? 
it's like they're going to hurt our planet and our friends from the Indigenous tribes 
. We should be more careful with our environment and respect Indigenous rights, you know? It's like when we're doing a project in class and we need to research and care about what we're working on 
.