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Line 5: timelines
EGLE Timeline
In February and March of 2025, EGLE received permit applications from Enbridge.
On July 8, 2025, EGLE’s Water Resource Division received Revision 5 of the Joint Permit Application (JPA) from Enbridge.
Based on EGLE’s review, the application meets the statutory definition of being administratively complete. The application requests authorization for surface facilities associated with the proposed tunnel. This application applies to Part 303, Wetlands Protection, and Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.
A public notice has been published on July 16, 2025, which officially starts EGLE’s full review of the proposed project. Due to the strong public interest in the JPA, the public notice period will run from July 16, 2025, through August 29, 2025.
- Two virtual meetings will be held during the public notice period.
- One is an informational session on August 12, 2025, with a question-and-answer format regarding the application and EGLE’s review process.
- The second is a formal public hearing on August 19, 2025, where comments will be received for the record. Additional comments will be accepted online through August 29, 2025.
During this time, EGLE will review the application and information provided by the applicant, collect and consider public comments, continue tribal consultations, and continue to coordinate with other agencies and partners.
It is common during this official review process for EGLE to request that the applicant consider additional modifications to the project and provide additional information in response to this ongoing review and coordination with other state agencies and other parties.
For more information on the permits covered by each of the timelines, visit the Line 5 anticipated permits page.
EGLE has established a dedicated permit application email account related to the proposed tunnel project, EGLE-Enbridge-Public-Comments@Michigan.gov to provide the public with a simplified means of commenting on the proposed project.
Comment on the Line 5 project via email
The public can also submit their comment online through our public notice webpage for application number HQ3-8BYB-N9DT1 in MiEnviro Portal. You do not need an account to add a comment.
Comment on the Line 5 project online
NPDES permits timeline
- March 24, 2025 – Enbridge submitted some of the additional permit application information requested by EGLE
- February 28, 2025 – additional information regarding the permit application was requested by EGLE
- February 14, 2025 – NPDES application for permit reissuance was internally reviewed by EGLE staff
- February 13, 2025 – NPDES application for permit reissuance received
Resources permit timeline
- July 8, 2025 – EGLE’s Water Resource Division received Revision 5 of the Joint Permit Application (JPA) from Enbridge
- March 17, 2025 – Correction requests were sent via MiEnviro Portal and email to the applicant by EGLE requesting additional information.
- March 3, 2025 – Resources permit application received under submission HQ3-8BYB-N9DT1 and EGLE staff began reviewing the application for completeness.
MPSC Timeline
On December 1, 2023, the MPSC issued an order approving Enbridge’s application to replace and relocate the segment of Line 5 crossing the Straits of Mackinac subject to a number of conditions. Additional information regarding the Commission’s order and approval can be found in the MPSC’s Line 5 Issue Brief.
On June 30, 2020, the MPSC issued an order that states that Enbridge is required to file an Act 16 application and to obtain Commission approval to construct the Line 5 Straits Replacement Project through a contested case. The Commission found that the Line 5 project involves important factual, policy and legal issues best resolved through a proceeding that includes discovery, comprehensive testimony and evidence to provide a robust record. The Commission observed that this proposal is a matter of significant public interest best addressed through a contested case. The June 30th order set a date for a public hearing and a subsequent Notice of Hearing scheduled a prehearing conference for the case.
On April 22, 2020, the Commission issued an order putting the Act 16 siting application on hold while it considered the request for a declaratory ruling and established a public comment period. All comments filed in response to this request are available in the case docket.
On April 17, 2020, Enbridge filed an application with the MPSC in Case No. U-20763 requesting siting approval under Act 16 to replace and relocate the Line 5 segment that currently crosses the Straits into a tunnel to be constructed beneath the Straits. In the alternative, Enbridge asked the MPSC for a declaratory ruling that it already has the authority from the Commission to construct the replacement segment based on the Commission's original 1953 order granting authority for the Line 5 pipeline.
Find the latest updates on the Line 5 homepage
Information on the Line 5 tunnel project proposal by Enbridge, including overview, timelines, recent permit documents and decisions, and more.