EGLE, DNR Reissue Line 5 Permits

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/15/2026) The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approved permits for Canadian-based Enbridge to start drilling a tunnel to house the Line 5 oil pipeline.

EGLE said as a condition of the permit that Enbridge would need to submit an improved wetland mitigation plan to address any impact in the area and need to meet new conditions designed to mitigate any impacts on Tribal cultural resources in the area.

The DNR determined that the tunnel project would impact two plant species listed as threatened – Houghton’s goldenrod and dwarf lake iris – and several bat habitats. The issued permit requires a reduction of impact on those species and habitats.

Enbridge spokesperson Ryan Duffy said the re-issuance of the permits, originally granted in 2021, is an important step forward for the project and said they are continuing to operate and monitor the 73-year-old dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac.

“We are reviewing the new permit conditions issued today to assess any impacts on tunnel construction,” Duffy said.

Opponents who are with the Great Lakes Business Network said the permit should have been denied because of the impacts on the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes Business Network co-founder Bob Sutherland, who also owns Cherry Republic, said his business uses water from the Great Lakes every day.

“Line 5 poses a direct threat to our bottom line and this decision is indefensible. The hundreds of businesses like ours across the Great Lakes Business Network will not accept it as the final word,” Sutherland said.

State Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) praised the re-issuance of the permit and said it was a win for Cheboygan County and Michigan.

“We need sources of energy that are both affordable and reliable, and EGLE’s decision to issue this permit will help guarantee that Michiganders will continue to have reliable access to the resources that they depend on. Families are struggling with affordability, and we have a responsibility to approve projects like the tunnel to prevent energy rates from rising,” Cavitt said.

He said the tunnel project was also expected to bring jobs to the Cheboygan area and make the area more attractive for investment.

“The approval from EGLE is a crucial step toward making this a reality,” he said.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians said they are opposed to the Line 5 tunnel project, along with the Bay Mills Indian Community, Earthjustice, the Native American Rights Fund and other tribes in Michigan.

Sault Tribe Chair Austin Lowes said the Enbridge tunnel project would turn the Straits of Mackinac into a construction zone for at least six years while it is being built and would disrupt tourism, the landscape and impact endangered species.

“The Straits and all the Great Lakes deserve the highest level of protection from the state of Michigan. The decision to allow Enbridge to industrialize this sacred place demonstrates a disregard for our environment, our treaty rights, and tribal sovereignty,” Lowes said.

Enbridge was still waiting for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a Michigan Supreme Court decision over a state permit. The challenge was brought by four tribes and two environmental groups.

“While today’s decision from state regulators represents a setback in our opposition to Enbridge’s Line 5, we are not giving up hope that we can overcome this decision and continue to protect the Great Lakes,” Lowes said.

State Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) also praised the re-issuance of the permit and said it was never a good idea to start the process over, because it was just delaying the process. He said the tunnel is needed to keep the water resources in the Straits of Mackinac safe.

“It’s time to stop dragging our feet and get this done," Damoose said.