Yesterday the Army Corps of Engineers granted a federal permit for Canadian oil giant Enbridge to reroute its Line 5 pipeline across northern Wisconsin. This decision is separate from our contested case hearing that has been playing out in Madison and Ashland for the past few months over construction permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Rerouting Line 5 means trenching and blasting across nearly 200 waterways and more than 100 acres of wetlands that feed into Lake Superior. Enbridge cannot begin construction in these sensitive areas until the contested case hearing on state-level permits is decided. Right now, Clean Wisconsin’s attorneys are preparing final briefing in that case.

“Clean Wisconsin stands with the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and all who are fighting to protect our land and water from the overwhelming risks of rerouting this oil pipeline,” says Clean Wisconsin President and CEO Mark Redsten. “The health of these ecosystems is critical to Tribal Nations, fisheries, and local economies across the region. “

Clean water resources put at risk by Line 5 support the vital tourism and fishing industries in northern Wisconsin. Tourism alone generates $378 million in economic activity in Bayfield, Ashland, Douglas and Iron counties and supports 2,846 jobs.