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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2026
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
Tunnel plans meet regulatory and statutory requirements following comprehensive review, permit addresses impacts to wetlands and cultural resources
Today, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced that it has reissued the permit for the Great Lakes Tunnel Project (GLTP) intended to house a proposed replacement for the existing 73-year-old Line 5 dual pipelines currently located on the lakebed.
In 2021, EGLE issued Part 303 and Part 324 permit to Enbridge for the proposed GLTP. Because construction has not yet begun, that permit expired earlier this year. Today, EGLE issued the new permit following a robust 16-month review period covering Enbridge’s bottomlands and wetlands permit application.
The review concluded that the public and private need for the proposed activity outweighed other public interest criteria.
EGLE’s review included a public information session, public hearing, and consideration of more than 70,000 public comments. In addition, EGLE met with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan History Center, and the State Historic Preservation Office. EGLE also conducted monthly consultation meetings with Tribal Nations and considered a report from an independent engineering firm.
As a condition of the permit, Enbridge will be required to submit an improved wetland mitigation plan to address wetland impacts. The permit also includes new conditions designed to mitigate impacts to cultural resources in the area.
EGLE staff continue to review Enbridge’s NPDES permit renewal application after collecting public comments on the application between May 19th and June 30th this year.
The GLTP requires several other permits, including from the Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Public Service Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
More information about the Line 5 project and related state actions is available at Line 5 in Michigan.
Background
There are ongoing court cases involving the existing Line 5 pipelines. Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court unanimously determined that the Michigan Attorney General’s lawsuit seeking to shut down the pipelines should proceed in state court. That lawsuit, along with a related case involving Governor Whitmer’s efforts to revoke the pipeline’s easement, remains active while a federal appeal continues. The broader dispute involves questions about state authority and long-standing concerns related to environmental and public trust impacts. A final decision in these proceedings will determine whether the existing pipelines may continue to operate.
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