Seven Indigenous nations have taken a bold stand by withdrawing from discussions surrounding the Line 5 oil and gas liquids pipeline in Michigan. They have cited the federal agencies’ failure to adequately engage with tribal governments during the process as the reason for their decision. This move is expected to lead to lawsuits in an effort to block the controversial project, which involves a 645-mile pipeline carrying over half a million barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids per day between the United States and Canada. Enbridge, the company behind Line 5, has proposed building a tunnel under the Great Lakes to replace a section of the 72-year-old pipeline.
The tribal nations have been part of the permitting process since 2020, when Enbridge applied to construct the underground tunnel for the pipeline. However, they have become increasingly dissatisfied with the negotiations, stating that tribal expertise, input, and concerns have been ignored, and their treaty rights have been undermined. The Army Corps of Engineers, the agency responsible for assessing the project and its environmental impacts, informed the tribes on March 20 that Enbridge was likely to receive a fast-tracked permit for the tunnel under President Donald Trump’s energy emergency declaration. This announcement prompted the tribes to withdraw from the discussions.
In a letter to the Corps, the tribal nations expressed their unwillingness to continue participating as Cooperating Agencies in a flawed Environmental Impact Statement process. Whitney Gravelle, president of the Bay Mills Indian Community, emphasized that the tunnel would not only harm the Great Lakes but also threaten the Indigenous way of life in the region.
Critics argue that the pipeline is unsafe, and the tunnel would further endanger the tribes by increasing the risk of an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac, potentially contaminating the largest source of fresh water in North America. Enbridge maintains that the tunnel will enhance the safety of the pipeline and ensure the secure delivery of energy to the Great Lakes region. However, the risk of oil spills and their impacts have yet to be adequately analyzed, leading to concerns among the tribal nations.
Despite the efforts of the tribes and their legal representatives, the odds seem to favor Enbridge in this dispute. Matthew Fletcher, a law professor at the University of Michigan and a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, believes that Enbridge will receive whatever it wants from the U.S. government, regardless of tribal objections.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has called for the suspension of pipeline operations until the affected Indigenous nations’ free, prior, and informed consent is obtained. This right, enshrined in international law, requires countries to consult with Indigenous peoples and secure their consent for development projects on their land. However, the U.S. has yet to fully implement this obligation.
The tunnel project, which primarily benefits Canadian interests, has been fast-tracked under the Trump administration’s energy emergency declaration. Critics argue that this decision goes against the “America First” priorities and fails to consider the long-term impact on the environment and Indigenous communities. Despite Enbridge’s claims of providing jobs and benefits to Michigan, opponents argue that the pipeline’s continued operation will result in significant climate damages.
President Gravelle emphasized that while not all tribes oppose oil, they all agree that the Line 5 project is detrimental. The withdrawal of the Indigenous nations from the discussions is a significant step in their fight to protect their lands, waters, and way of life from the risks posed by the pipeline project. The protection of our natural resources is crucial for the well-being of future generations. One of the most precious resources that we have is the Great Lakes. These massive bodies of water not only provide drinking water for millions of people but also support a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals.
In order to safeguard the Great Lakes for the future, it has been suggested that we decommission certain structures that pose a threat to their health. By removing these structures, we can ensure that the Great Lakes remain pristine and healthy for generations to come.
One such structure that has come under scrutiny is Line 5, a controversial oil pipeline that runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. This pipeline has been a source of concern for environmentalists and indigenous communities, as a potential oil spill in the Great Lakes could have disastrous consequences for the environment and local communities.
By decommissioning Line 5, we can eliminate the risk of an oil spill in the Great Lakes and protect this vital resource for future generations. It is important that we take action now to safeguard the Great Lakes and ensure that they remain a source of clean water and biodiversity for years to come.
