Area residents will have an opportunity to weigh in next week on two controversial pipeline projects proposed by Enbridge Energy.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold two public scoping meetings on the proposed Sandpiper and Line 3 Replacement pipelines at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Black Bear Casino Resort, Carlton.
Scoping meetings are the first step in the development of an EIS and identify the route alternatives and topics to be included in the EIS, which the DOC will use in determining the scope of the EIS. These meetings will give the public another opportunity to learn more about each proposed project, ask questions and provide input.
The proposed 1,031-mile Pipeline No. 3 would ultimately replace the company’s 1968-vintage Line No. 3, and would bring more Canadian tar sands crude oil into the U.S. Approximately 335 miles of Line 3 runs through Minnesota.
The reconstruction could also come with a route change: Enbridge announced in 2014 that the preferred route would follow the existing route from North Dakota to Clearbrook, Minn., and then - instead of following the old Line 3 along the historic Enbridge corridor paralleling U.S. Highway 2 - the new line would dip south along Hubbard County and then across Cass, Aitkin and Carlton counties, before meeting up with the old line near Wrenshall on its way into the Canadian company’s giant Superior terminal.
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The new route for Line 3 is similar to the company’s proposed all-new Sandpiper line, which has raised concerns for its many water crossings.
Comments will also be accepted through Thursday, May 26, online or by mail.
Photo to go with Bernu brief:
Greg Bernu (l), County Land Commissioner, was awarded the Partnership Leadership Award from the Minnesota Forest Resources Partnership by board officer Craig Halla of Molpus Timber Management. Contributed Photo
