By Preston Merrill, Alliance Intern from Brandeis University ‘25
In a monumental win, a federal judge ruled in favor of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in their long-term fight against the expansion of the Line 5 oil pipelines in their homeland of northern Wisconsin. The judge found that energy company Enbridge is illegally trespassing on the Bad River Band’s reservation. Despite this ruling, the Army Corps of Engineers is rapidly pushing the permit process forward to help Enbridge maneuver the pipeline around the perimeter of the reservation, continuing to harm the surrounding ecosystem.
EarthJustice has created a campaign working with the Bad River Band to counter the efforts of Enbridge and the Army Corps of Engineers, underlining its negative environmental impacts and disregard for Indigenous voices. Please join the Alliance in signing EarthJustice’s petition to tell the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement and reject the Line 5 reroute project.