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Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project: An open letter to the community

Best practices will protect water quality during construction

April 2025

How do you know downstream waters, aquatic resources and wetlands will not be impacted during construction?

Three things help us:

1

Impacts of construction, including the release of sediment, will be confined to the construction corridor

2

Commonly used construction practices will minimize or avoid impacts

3

Permit conditions required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will minimize construction impacts and protect the environment

Pipeline corridor with a small marsh in foreground Erosion and sediment controls will be used as part of construction best practices.

Key things to know

  • Water quality impacts during construction are expected to be short-term and limited.
    • Enbridge completed sediment modeling, and the results show that sediment will be contained close to pipeline construction.
    • The boundary of the Bad River Reservation is anywhere from approximately one mile to approximately 12 miles downstream. This distance helps ensure there will be no measurable impacts on the Reservation.
  • The construction contractor must adhere to environmental protection and restoration plans approved by regulators as part of project permits.
    • These plans use common construction best management practices like silt fencing, slope and trench breakers, erosion control blankets and quick re-seeding to minimize any potential downstream impacts.
  • The DNR issued its Section 401 Water Quality Certification and state permits to cross wetlands and waterbodies—agreeing that the proposed project route is the least impactful to the environment, while protecting natural and cultural resources.
  • The DNR included 231 conditions in their Section 401 Water Quality Certification to further protect state water quality standards during construction. These cover:
    • Erosion and sediment control
    • Equipment use
    • Fish spawning protections
    • Wetland protection
    • Invasive species prevention
    • Safe de-watering
    • Restoration planning
    • Independent environmental monitoring
    • Water quality monitoring in waterways

The amount of sediment potentially released during construction is a small fraction of what naturally flows into the Bad River watershed annually, and much less than what is released during an average rainstorm.


Map of northern Wisconsin After five years of public review and input, the Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project is the most studied pipeline in state history. The 41-mile route around the Bad River Reservation has been confirmed to have the least environmental impacts compared to alternatives. Permit applications were filed in early 2020. Construction will start following receipt of necessary permits.

The permitting process so far

The permitting process for the Line 5 WI Segment Relocation Project started in early 2020. It has involved nearly five years of public input, expert study and rigorous review resulting in thorough and comprehensive permits that protect the environment and allow for the continued transport of energy that millions of people rely on every day. State permits are going through what’s called a contested case process. The Federal permit process is also moving forward.

Once we have the necessary permits in hand, we look forward to getting to work with a Wisconsin contractor, and a well-trained union, local and Indigenous workforce. The project will pour millions of dollars into the local economy and create over 700 family-supporting construction jobs.

Large group of people in a community hall Open office events are held most Tuesdays at Enbridge’s Ashland office. The community is welcome to join us for conversation, ask questions and share a meal.