The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlines a new timeline for the Line 5 Tunnel Project, setting key dates for public participation and environmental review.

Army Corps Sets Tentative Timeline for Line 5 Tunnel Project Review

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, has released a fresh timeline for the controversial Line 5 Tunnel Project, laying out key milestones as the proposal to build a pipeline tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac moves forward. The announcement, made May 2, 2025, confirms that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be published in the Federal Register by May 30, followed by a 30-day public comment period ending June 30.

“The public’s input is critical for a robust environmental review,” said Lt. Col. Wallace Bandeff, commander of the Detroit District. The Corps will gather public comments both online and during virtual hearings to be scheduled and announced.

Line 5 Tunnel Project Sparks Fresh Round of Public Scrutiny

The Line 5 Tunnel, proposed by Enbridge Energy, aims to replace part of the aging Line 5 pipeline by encasing a new segment inside a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The tunnel would carry crude oil and natural gas liquids across Lake Michigan, raising ongoing concerns about environmental safety, indigenous rights, and energy needs in Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region.

The Detroit District is reviewing the permit under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, as required for major infrastructure projects impacting navigable waters and wetlands.

Special Processing Fast-Tracks the Line 5 Tunnel Review

The project is being expedited under Executive Order (EO) 14156, issued by the President in response to a national energy emergency. This allows the Corps to use special processing procedures that prioritize energy infrastructure, citing the country’s “insufficient energy production, transportation, and refining capacity” as a national security concern.

This means that even with the typical environmental safeguards, the project’s review is expected to move more quickly than usual. Lt. Col. Bandeff emphasized that despite the expedited process, the Corps remains committed to fully complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, and other federal requirements.

Environmental and Tribal Concerns Remain Front and Center

The Corps also acknowledged its federal trust responsibility to Tribal Nations, a key point of tension in the Line 5 debate. Indigenous groups and environmental advocates have long opposed the project, citing risks to fisheries, water quality, and tribal sovereignty. The Corps says these concerns will be addressed during the EIS process.

Dr. Liz Kirkwood, an environmental law expert and executive director of FLOW (For Love of Water), told ThumbWind, “While this new timeline gives clarity, it does not alleviate fundamental concerns about the long-term environmental impact of a fossil fuel pipeline in one of the most sensitive freshwater ecosystems in the world.”

Key Dates: What Michiganders Need to Know About Line 5 Tunnel

May 30, 2025: Draft EIS publication in the Federal Register
May 30 – June 30, 2025: Public comment period
Fall 2025: Anticipated Record of Decision

Michiganders can submit comments through the project website at Line 5 Tunnel EIS, ensuring their voices are heard before the final decision.

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