Enbridge ignores court orders while rerouting pipeline near Native lands
- The Wisconsin DNR granted Enbridge permits to build a new section of pipeline around the Bad River Reservation.
- A federal court ruled in 2022 that Enbridge is trespassing on Indigenous lands, allowing until 2026 for removal.
- Environmental concerns persist as the proposed pipeline still threatens local ecosystems and Indigenous treaty rights.
In Wisconsin, the Canadian pipeline corporation Enbridge received permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to construct a 41-mile segment of pipeline around the Bad River Reservation. This decision comes amid concerns raised by Indigenous water protectors that a pipeline rupture is not a question of if, but when. Enbridge's current pipeline, which has been deemed to trespass on the reservation since its easement expired in 2013, continues to operate despite a 2022 federal court ruling that agrees with the Bad River Band's claims against the company. The DNR's approval is controversial because the proposed route still poses significant environmental risks. It runs within the watershed of the Bad River and is upstream of the Copper Falls State Park, potentially affecting local ecosystems that are vital for biodiversity and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, the route intersects historical treaty rights that guarantee access to hunting and fishing, underlining the impact on Indigenous rights. The Bad River Band has taken multiple steps to remove Enbridge from their lands, starting with a 2017 tribal council resolution and culminating in court decisions that validate their position against the pipeline. However, rather than complying with the court ruling and removing their section of the pipeline by 2026, Enbridge has sought to reroute its project to skirt around the reservation while still impacting the watershed. This ongoing situation raises questions about the enforcement of the law, particularly regarding environmental justice and the rights of Indigenous populations. While Enbridge claims that the pipeline will generate jobs and economic benefits, the tribal leadership emphasizes that economic gain is secondary to the paramount concern of ensuring clean and healthy water for their community and for over 40 million people who rely on the Great Lakes as a freshwater source. The tension between economic interests and environmental stewardship continues to be a critical issue, especially as the construction processes for the new pipeline involve activities that compromise wetland integrity and navigable waterways, which are important ecosystems for both wildlife and human communities alike.