Enbridge applies for Line 4 route changes

Enbridge hopes to change the route of a second pipeline that crosses the Fond du Lac Reservation, but this time the proposed changes are welcomed by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa officials.

As part of the agreement between the pipeline company and the Band regarding the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, Enbridge plans to relocate a portion of the Line 4 pipeline that crosses the reservation once its plans are approved by the state.

According to Fond du Lac officials, the Line 4 project includes relocation and reburial of the Reservation portion of Line 4 at a safe depth fully below ground. Where Line 4 crosses waterways, it will be routed underneath in a manner that preserves hydrology. Once the new Line 4 is in place, the older Line 4 will be removed and the land and water flow will be restored.

Enbridge officials said the changes make “the land more accessible to members of the Fond du Lac community for traditional land uses, restores wetland hydrology, improves safety and better protects the environment.”

“These projects will allow the Fond du Lac Band to meet important restoration goals on the Reservation, including restoring three large forested wetlands and several stream channel reconnects/improvements. The projects will also improve land accessibility and access for timber management,” said Band spokeswoman Makayla Telfer.

The new Line 4 will not cross any wild rice waters. Additionally, the Band will be in charge of the traditional cultural resources survey for the Line 4 project. No historic or cultural sites are expected to be affected by the route or construction activities.

Enbridge has safely operated pipelines on the Fond du Lac Reservation for nearly 70 years, according to an Enbridge press release, which also stated that the Line 4 agreement demonstrates the company’s “commitment to working with tribal nations, to listening and responding to their concerns, and to moving forward in a manner that respects tribal sovereignty and protects the environment.”

Line 3

Meanwhile, the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project is still not a done deal in Minnesota.

On Monday, Gov. Tim Walz said his administration (through the Department of Commerce) has renewed its challenge of the certificate of need for the Enbridge Line 3 project with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Minnesota utility regulators granted final approval to the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project late last month, but the project is bogged down in court, as some tribes and environmental groups have sued to overturn the state’s approval of the environmental review for the contentious project. Other groups have filed challenges seeking to overturn the approval of a certificate of need from the Public Utilities Commission.