Army Corps Of Engineers Line 5 Permitting Expected This Fall; Last Permit Next Fall

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/20/2025) Three environmental permits are still needed before Enbridge can begin digging the Line 5 tunnel under the Mackinac Straits, and a guiding document to assist in issuing one of those permits is expected to be released this fall. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still processing the public comment that came in before the June 30 deadline. Once that's done and a final environmental impact statement (EIS) is released this fall, it'll be 30 days before a final decision on the first permit will be made, according to information shared at last week's Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority meeting. 

The Army Corps Detroit District said after the final EIS was made, it would take 30 days for the notice of availability before the final decision on the permit was made. 

"The Detroit District continues to prepare the EIS and comply with all applicable legal and policy requirements, including its federal trust responsibility to Tribal Nations, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act," said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Wallace Bandeeff. 

Michigan Department of Transportation Manager for Major and Innovative Delivery Projects Michael Belligan told the Authority that he was informed of the same on Oct. 8.  

Belligan said the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have two separate permitting components to Line 5 left. 

He said EGLE was conducting reviews and drafts to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which is expected between January and March, before the 30 days of public comment. 

That permit wouldn't be decided before Oct. 1, 2026. 

There was also the submerged lands permit from EGLE, which is a separate permit and the process was expected to be completed for that by Dec. 13, before a decision was reached. 

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