All of us have an opportunity right now to help protect natural resources, defend the Tribal sovereignty of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and tackle climate change by submitting a comment calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject the proposed reroute of the Line 5 pipeline.
Line 5 crosses northern Wisconsin and is decades past its lifespan of safe operation. Enbridge’s attempt to continue operating the pipeline is in violation of the Bad River tribe’s rights. In 2013, a federal judge ruled that Line 5 has been illegally trespassing on the Bad River reservation and ordered that it should be shut down by 2026. The pipeline also threatens the water, local communities, fish, and other wildlife with the threat of an oil spill.
You can submit a comment to the Army Corps of Engineers asking them to do a full Environmental Impact Statement of the project and to ultimately reject Line 5. Send your comment to CEMVP-WiL5R-CDD-Comments@usace.army.mil. Comments can be submitted through the new deadline of August 4.
Several Wisconsin organizations have compiled useful resources. This toolkit from the Wisconsin Chapter of the Sierra Club features talking points, a sample comment, and detailed background information. You can also learn more at the Bad River Band Pipeline Page.
First Church is working on showing the film Bad River on October 13, so stay tuned for more details.
Jenny Abel
Earth Justice Ministry Member