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Pipeline Water Use Sparks Protest
26 Jun
Summary
- Residents protest Enbridge pipeline water use for construction.
- Concerns raised over Great Lakes Compact and tribal treaty rights.
- Horizontal drilling uses water mixed with clay for lubrication.
A group of Ashland residents protested on Wednesday against Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline reroute, citing concerns over the use of municipal water for its construction. The controversial reroute has faced years of legal challenges and protests from locals, environmental groups, and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Protesters stated that Michels Construction, an Enbridge subcontractor, is drawing water from the City of Ashland's supply, sourced from Lake Superior, for the pipeline construction. They argue this use of water, mixed with clay and proprietary additives for horizontal directional drilling, violates the Great Lakes Compact and threatens Anishinaabe Treaty Rights. The horizontal directional drilling method will install 30,000 feet of pipe under 23 water bodies, with 15% of the reroute utilizing this technique.
Concerns have been amplified by the potential for inadvertent releases of the drilling slurry, a mixture primarily composed of water (95%) and bentonite clay. While Enbridge asserts that all additives will comply with state standards and water sources are safe, residents question the notification and transparency regarding water usage contracts. The Ashland city administrator and Enbridge did not respond to requests for comment.
