Open letter to the Bad River Band
A solution to erosion at the Meander
October 2023
Line 5 crosses under the Bad River just west of two bends forming a meander (the “Meander”) on the Bad River Reservation. Due to bank erosion caused by melting snow and weather events over the years, the bank along the south bend of the Meander is closer to the pipeline than in previous years. See image of map above.
Enbridge and the Band have been monitoring the Bad River channel at the Line 5 pipeline crossing for many years. Since 2020, Enbridge has proposed more than a dozen projects to address erosion along the bank at the Meander, including proven erosion-control projects routinely used on riverbanks across the country.
The Band alleges that erosion at the Meander creates an unacceptable risk of a pipeline incident, but has yet to approve any of Enbridge’s proposals or propose any erosion prevention measures of its own.
Currently, Enbridge has a new proposal before the Band which would use trees to naturally reinforce the riverbank.
Enbridge is willing to:
- Use natural materials—trees native to the area—and/or any reasonable and suitable materials required by the Band/its Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department (MNRD).
- Install the project under any reasonable conditions required by the Band/MNRD.
- Install and remove the project primarily by helicopter.
- Reimburse the MNRD for project related costs, including monitoring project construction.
- Perform maintenance on the project as frequently as MNRD/the Band requires.
Current view of the riverbank at the Meander.
Design of the tree reinforcement as it would look on the riverbank at the Meander.
Artist’s rendering of the tree reinforcement with branches as proposed.
While temporary in nature, the project is designed to ensure safety until the relocation project is completed.
Enbridge continues to move forward with the proposed relocation of Line 5 off the Bad River Reservation. The relocation would permanently eliminate the risk at the Meander. The relocation would not only remove Line 5 from the Reservation, but also create hundreds of millions of dollars in local project spending, hundreds of construction jobs, and millions of dollars in earmarked spending with Native-owned businesses, Tribal community investments, and hiring and training local Native American workers. Our commitment to the community and the environment remains unwavering. We will continue to work collaboratively with the Band to prevent erosion and ensure safe operation of Line 5 across the Bad River Reservation. Questions? Call 855-869-8261 or visit enbridge.com/L5Wis.
Tom Schwartz
Enbridge SVP LP Enbridge Strategic Projects & Partnerships
