Public Hearing Draws Big Crowd For Enbridge Line 5 Relocation

ASHLAND, Wis. — The room was packed at the Line 5 public hearing Tuesday with the crowd overflowing into two adjacent rooms.

Each person was able to speak for three minutes. Before the hearing started, supporters and opponents of the relocation effort weighed in.

Sharon Vlari opposes the relocation and said it puts the cart before the horse. “They do not have the Section 401 permit from the DNR Wisconsin yet. And that you need before the environmental impact statement. So, I’m not understanding how they can do this when they don’t have the required permits,” said Vlari.

She went on to say Enbridge lost her confidence because of the way it handled a prior project. “They punctured aquafers, they had all this water spilling out. All this damage went unreported for months and months and months. And the only reason we found out was because citizen scientists saw the damage and reported it for them that they ever confessed.”

Enbridge’s Jennifer Smith disagrees, saying that safety has always been top of mind. “There have been cultural resources, protection surveys put into place, utilizing the latest technology protecting the environment and minimize our impact during construction,” said Jennifer Smith, Director of Tribal Engagement.

Line 5 is an existing line that transports about $540,000 barrels of crude oil and natural gas to Wisconsin and creates the propane that comes directly to Northern Wisconsin.

Smith says feedback from locals who will use that propane is extremely important part of the process. And says the tough questions she receives provides an opportunity to address concerns and correct information.

“You bring people together. We get to hear the different concerns, and all this feedback leads to a better permit making a better project,” said Smith.

For Vlari, the public hearing brings more clarity, and conviction that advocating to stop the project is right.

“The people who live in this area have every right to say what is going to happen to their fresh water. Water is a finite resource. Once the water is gone, it’s gone,” said Vlari.

If approved, Enbridge says pipeline construction will bring over 700 jobs to the area. Enbridge also plans to spend over $46 million with native owned businesses and have at least 10% native employment.

If you missed Tuesday’s hearing, written comments can be submitted through July 5.