Line 5 Tunnel Project

The federal approval doesn’t mean construction can begin as the project remains tied up in state and federal court.

In a 6-1 ruling Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court’s found the tunnel's approval should have consider factors like alternatives to the project and harm to Michigan’s “public trust resources.”

State agencies said the pipeline tunnel construction would affect Native American burial sites, wetlands and threatened and endangered species but concluded the benefits of the tunnel outweigh the damages. The project remains tied up in court.

Opponents said they're worried about potentially unsafe conditions, like weak bedrock, high water pressure and dangerous gases beneath the Straits.

Michigan has been trying to shut down the controversial pipeline since 2019. A technical question before the court could seal its fate.

Environmental advocates says eyes are on Whitmer as the state mulls another permit for the project.

Public comments are due by the end of the week after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a tunnel alternative last month.

Those for and those against constructing a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac are making their cases. A comment period for the necessary permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy ends this Friday.

The National Wildlife Federation says Michigan's environment department should fully review what damage drilling the tunnel for a new pipeline segment might cause.

The environmental review is a major step toward a permitting decision on the controversial proposal to build a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. The last day for the public to comment on it is June 30.