Bad River Band, others to argue against Line 5 reroute permit

(The Center Square) – Attorneys for the Bad River Band and environmental groups will give oral arguments Thursday morning challenging permits for Enbridge’s 41-mile reroute of Line 5 in northern Wisconsin.

The hearing is part of the groups’ continued challenge of the projects. They are also separately challenging permits for the project from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The groups continue to argue that the reroute is not environmentally sound and could permanently damage wetlands and resources in the region.

The groups are pointed to a spill of more than 1,600 gallons of drilling fluid in wetlands in Iron County during construction of the reroute, which began in February after a judge approved the initial permits. Later, a stay was placed on four waterway crossings that was lifted a week ago.

The hearing will occur at the Bayfield County Courthouse with additional viewing at the Iron County Courthouse.

“The reroute project entails blasting, horizontal drilling, or trenching through at least 186 waterway...