10/19/2026

ASHLAND COUNTY – Lawyers for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa react to the notice of violation brought by the DNR against Enbridge Energy on the Line 5 reroute saying the violations come “too little, too late.”  Last week, the DNR notified Enbridge of permits and environmental law violations that occurred during the first six months of construction on its 41-mile reroute project around the Bad River Reservation in Ashland and Iron Counties.  The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa have filed three separate lawsuits concerning the reroute project.  In 2013, the Bad River band declined to renew easements that allowed Line 5 to cross their reservation. A federal judge sided with the Bad River Band finding Enbridge guilty of trespass in 2019, which resulted in the company to begin work on the 41-mile re-route around the reservation.  Tribal and environmental organizations have called on the DNR to revoke Enbridge’s permits.  After a brief halt to the reroute project work as resumed.