Six Michigan tribes have withdrawn from federal discussions regarding the Line 5 oil tunnel project, expressing concerns over the US Army Corps of Engineers' potential fast-tracking of the project's approval. This move follows President Trump's Executive Order declaring an "energy emergency." The tribes communicated their discontent in a letter to the Corps on March 21, 2025, labeling the Corps' actions as "unacceptable."
Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle voiced frustration, stating, "We participated in the process, we followed the rules, we provided the case law, we submitted the evidence, and we trusted that our voices and our treaty rights would be respected. Yet, once again, the federal government has cast us aside and failed us."
Gravelle further criticized the government's approach: "Instead of protecting our waters, lands, and sacred sites, the government is forcing this dangerous project forward, ignoring the harm it will bring to the Tribal Nations and the people of Michigan. We will not stand by while our sovereignty is disregarded for the sake of foreign profits. Michigan’s leaders must act now to defend our shared waters before it’s too late."
The six tribes involved include Bay Mills Indian Community, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi. They had been cooperating with the Corps under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Under President Biden's administration, a draft Environmental Impact Statement was being prepared by the Corps after receiving substantial public feedback on Enbridge's tunnel project. However, an internal memo from Former Assistant Secretary Jaime Pinkham suggested that risk assessments for oil spills should be considered along with other alternatives. Now there are indications that emergency procedures may bypass these reviews.
David L. Gover from Native American Rights Fund expressed concern: "It appears the U.S. Army Corps plans to short-circuit environmental and historic properties review by announcing they intend to use...an American ‘energy emergency’ to fast-track...public comment and Tribal consultation processes."
Concerns about safety were also raised due to potential design flaws in Enbridge's unprecedented tunnel plan under Straits. Enbridge still requires a permit from Michigan's Department of Environment for construction commencement which will involve public comments.
Debbie Chizewer from Earthjustice warned against reviving an old pipeline primarily serving Canada: "Resuscitating an old pipeline...won’t do a thing for US energy supply," adding fears over possible environmental disasters impacting North America's largest freshwater source.
Enbridge aims at constructing this tunnel beneath Great Lakes near Straits—a region deemed sacred by Anishinaabe peoples including Bay Mills Indian Community—all Michigan tribes oppose this endeavor.
