Comment period closes on December 5th, 2025.

Supplemental DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT COMMENT PERIOD

The USACE prepared a Supplemental Draft EIS to evaluate an alternative to the Applicant’s Preferred Alternative involving installation of a replacement pipeline segment under the bed of the Straits of Mackinac by horizontal directional drilling (HDD) (the HDD Installation Alternative). The HDD Installation Alternative was evaluated in USACE’s May 2025 Draft EIS but considered infeasible, based on a 2018 Enbridge report, and therefore eliminated from detailed analysis in the EIS. USACE subsequently received information from the Applicant indicating that the HDD Installation Alternative is now feasible due to advances in technology since the 2018 report. USACE determined that the HDD installation Alternative meets the screening criteria established in its May 2025 Draft EIS and therefore will be carried forward for detailed analysis in the EIS.

The USACE prepared a Supplemental Draft EIS to address the potential environmental impacts of the HDD Installation Alternative, to supplement the May 2025 Draft EIS. The Supplemental Draft EIS is available for public review beginning on November 13, 2025, on the project website at www.line5tunneleis.com. The public comment period on the Supplemental Draft EIS runs through December 5, 2025. The USACE will consider comments received on the Supplemental Draft EIS, along with the comments previously received on the May 2025 Draft EIS, in preparation of the Final EIS. The Final EIS will inform the USACE’s permit decision on the application, which will be documented in the USACE’s Record of Decision, following issuance of the
Final EIS. On the Project Information.

Comments can be provided verbally during the virtual public meeting, submitted via the project website (www.line5tunneleis.com), or submitted by U.S. mail (Line 5 Tunnel EIS, 16501 Shady Grove Road, P.O. Box 10178, Gaithersburg, MD 20898).

TIPS FOR SUBMITTING EFFECTIVE COMMENTS

A comment can express simple support or dissent for a regulatory action. However, a constructive, information-rich comment that clearly communicates and supports its claims is more likely to have an impact on regulatory decision making. Please review the following tips to help you craft an effective comment for USACE, Detroit District to consider while preparing the Line 5 Tunnel Final EIS. 

SUMMARY

ü  Comment periods close at 11:59 pm Eastern time on the date comments are due. Begin work well before the deadline.

ü  Read and understand the regulatory document on which you are commenting. Attempt to fully understand each issue.

ü  Be concise but support your claims. Clearly identify the issues within the document on which you are commenting.  If you are commenting on a particular section, paragraph, or sentence, provide the page number, column, and paragraph citation.

ü  Base your justification on sound reasoning, scientific evidence, and/or how you will be impacted. Agency reviewers look for sound science and reasoning in the comments they receive. When possible, support your comment with substantive data, facts, and/or expert opinions. You may also provide personal experience in your comment, as may be appropriate. By supporting your arguments well, you are more likely to influence the agency decision making process.

ü  Identify credentials and experience that may distinguish your comments from others. If you are commenting in an area in which you have relevant personal or professional experience, say so. Consider including examples of how the proposed agency action would impact you negatively or positively.

ü  Address trade-offs and opposing views in your comment. Include the pros and cons and trade-offs of your position and explain them. Your position could consider other points of view and respond to them with facts and sound reasoning.

ü  If you disagree with a proposed action, suggest an alternative. This may include taking no action at all. Include an explanation and/or analysis of how the alternative might meet the same objective or be more effective.

ü  There is no minimum or maximum length for an effective comment. Although USACE welcomes all comments, constructive comments (either positive or negative) are the most likely to have an influence.

ü  The comment process is not a vote – one well-supported comment is often more influential than a thousand form letters. When crafting a comment, it is important that you adequately explain the reasoning behind your position.