Public input essential to Great Lakes Tunnel Project
Feedback strengthens project design, protections
June 25, 2025
Findings from nearly unprecedented, extensive environmental studies over more than five years have helped inform the May 30 release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Great Lakes Tunnel Project.
- Enbridge submitted project permit applications for the Great Lakes Tunnel project to federal and state regulators in April 2020.
- The DEIS reflects more than 40,000 field hours of environmental and cultural survey work in the Straits of Mackinac.
Although technical aspects of the project are critical to the DEIS, obtaining public feedback on the DEIS is equally significant.
“Over the past five years, we proactively have participated in numerous events with Tribes, environmental non-government organizations, local communities, trade groups, businesses, and labor to obtain feedback on the Great Lakes Tunnel,” said Paul Meneghini, Enbridge community engagement manager. “Their input is essential to informing a complete DEIS.”
“Public participation is an important part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to ensure a thorough environmental analysis, and an effective, consistent and well-informed decision,” noted USACE Lt. Col. Wallace Bandeff.
The USACE public comment period is underway through June 30. The second of two virtual meetings is scheduled on Wednesday, June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. ET.
The USACE will post a link and call-in number on the USACE’s project website, through which comments also may be submitted. All comments must be received by June 30, 2025.
Thorough, rigorous process
“In my 30-plus-year career, this is the most comprehensive DEIS I have seen,” said Meneghini.
“It reflects a rigorous, multi-year review process led by the USACE and its third-party specialists, and we appreciate the extensive technical work that went into this document.”
"Stakeholder input is essential to the integrity of this process, and we welcome the public comment process underway.”
—Paul Meneghini, Enbridge manager of community engagement in Michigan
Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline has the capacity to transport about 540,000 barrels per day of light crude oil and natural gas liquids to markets in the U.S. and Canada. Projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration 2023 Annual Energy Outlook estimated demand for petroleum products would remain steady through at least 2050, despite increases in renewable energy use.
The Tunnel is designed to protect the Great Lakes and northern coastal communities by eliminating the risk of a release from the pipeline into the Straits. The DEIS analyzes the design to assess where impacts have been avoided and measures undertaken to limit and restore impacts from the project.
“The tunnel design reflects our intent to reduce the environmental footprint,” said Meneghini, “and we plan to use the USACE’s findings from the DEIS to refine the project.”
More than 70% of Michiganders polled about the Great Lakes Tunnel project support the energy infrastructure project.
