MADISON, WI— The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has made an emergency filing in federal court to shut down the Line 5 oil pipeline.
The northern Wisconsin tribe says the pipeline is at risk for exposure, with some estimates showing 11 feet of protective soil underneath and 5 feet of soil above the line.
Last year, tribal experts testified spring runoff would render the pipeline inaccessible. Enbridge Energy officials said it was a worst-case scenario, but the band says it has evidence it’s taking place now due to flooding. They believe the shrinking distance between Line 5 and the Bad River could be catastrophic if a rupture occurs.
Enbridge says the pipeline is sound. Canada says it will not shut the pipeline down.