Wisconsin DNR Seeks Public Input on Pipelines

Bringing in more jobs versus potential dangers to the environment were up for for debate in Superior.

Enbridge has submitted two proposals for pipelines. The Sandpiper is a new project coming from North Dakota. The other is to replace the existing Line Three from Canada.

Speakers from both sides made sure their voices were heard.

Input came from some city leaders in Superior who are in favor of jobs flowing from the pipeline.

“We are as concerned about the environment and the waterways, the watershed, the ricing in all the communities as everyone else is that’s part of what we do, the buildings of the pipeline are above any in the United States and maybe North America,” said one proponent of the pipelines.

Those opposed to the pipeline because of its potential environmental impact also spoke up at the public meeting.

“It pains me so much to come to these meetings and see my union brothers and sisters here fighting for this project and feeling this economic dependency on something we’re not dependent on. We do not need this anymore,” said one opponent of the pipeline from Minneapolis.

The Wisconsin DNR regulates fourteen miles of the proposed pipeline and is in the process of collecting comments from the public on the Environmental Impact Statement they conducted.

“There’s a lot of people that have a lot of experience in the DNR and are very knowledgeable, but we don’t know everything. So the public really helps us get a better understanding of what these true impacts could be,” said DNR water management specialist Ben Callan.

The DNR will continue to take public input on their study until March 25th.