Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership: Fond du Lac Line 4 Project
Project Details
Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership has applied for a Pipeline Route Permit and Partial Exemption for the Fond du Lac Line 4 Project on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation. The Project will relocate approximately 10 miles of the existing Line 4 pipeline from the center to the outer edge of the existing Enbridge Mainline Corridor within the Fond du Lac Band Reservation.
Project Contact
Project Summary
Enbridge’s Line 4 Fond du Lac project involves replacing, relocating, and burying a 10-mile segment of Enbridge's existing, above-grade, 48-inch diameter Line 4 pipeline. Enbridge proposes replacing this segment with 10 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline, relocating it from the center to the outside of the existing Enbridge mainline corridor, and placing the pipe underground. The project will be located in portions of St. Louis and Carlton Counties, entirely within the boundaries of the Fond du Lac Band Reservation. The project is proposed to run parallel to the south side of the existing Enbridge mainline corridor for 100 percent of its length. The existing Line 4 segment will be removed after the project has received regulatory approvals and is constructed, tested, and placed into service.
Enbridge is proposing this project to address specific concerns raised by the Fond du Lac Band related the existing Line 4 segment that was installed through the Fond du Lac Reservation in the 1970s. It was installed above-ground because above-grade installation through wetland areas was a common practice. Fond du Lac Band has raised concerns that this segment creates a barrier to the natural water flow across the Reservation and, in some areas, impedes land access for the Band members to gather medicinal plants and other culturally important resources. After investigation and discussion of potential alternatives, Enbridge and Fond du Lac Band agreed that these concerns could be addressed by the proposed replacement, relocation, and burial, followed by removal and deactivation of the existing above-grade Line 4 segment.
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| July 25, 2019 | DOC EERA Comments and Recommendations | DOC EERA filed comments and recommendations agreeing with the Applicant's findings of fact and conclusions of law and recommending that the Commission grant the partial exemption and issue a route permit for the project. |
| July 25, 2019 | Applicant's Proposed Findings of Fact Conclusions of Law and Order | In coordination with EERA staff, the Applicant prepared proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order detailing the proposed project, regulatory history, public and agency participation, considerations in designating pipeline route permit, construction activities, testing and restoration, pipeline routing, and standard and criteria for partial exemption. |
| July 25, 2019 | Administrative Law Judge's Comment Summary | On June 28, 2019 the ALJ issued a report summarizing input provided during the comment period on the partial exemption and route permit for Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership's Fond du Lac Line 4 Project |
| April 23, 2019 | Commission Order Accepting Application | Order Accepting Application, establishing review process, and granting variances |
| March 27, 2019 | Revised Fond du Lac Line 4 Project Pipeline Routing Permit and Partial Exemption Application | Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership's revised application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a Route Permit and Partial Exemption for the Fond du Lac Line 4 Project |
| March 4, 2019 | Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Letter of Support | Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Letter of Support, In the Matter of the Application of Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership for a Pipeline Routing Permit and Partial Exemption for the Fond du Lac Line 4 Project in Minnesota on the Fond du Lac Reservation Permit Application |
| March 4, 2019 | Fond du Lac Line 4 Project Pipeline Routing Permit and Partial Exemption Application | Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership's application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a Route Permit and Partial Exemption for the Fond du Lac Line 4 Project |
Environmental Review and Permitting Process
Minnesota Statutes Section 216G.02 requires that the Commission issue a pipeline Routing Permit for certain pipelines, including this project, prior to construction. Enbridge has submitted their Application for a Route Permit under the partial exemption pipeline route selection procedures (Minnesota Rules Chapter 7852.0700). This is an abbreviated process with a shorter timeline than the full pipeline permitting process. The Commission may grant the partial exemption if they find that the proposal will not have a significant impact on humans or the environment. If the partial exemption is denied, the applicant must re-apply under the full permitting process.
A Route Permit from the Commission is the only permit required for the routing of this pipeline. However, a number of other permits and approvals are required from other agencies for the construction of the pipeline along a route approved by the Commission. These include, for example, approvals from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Fond du Lac Band and Fond du Lac Tribal Historic Preservation Office, the MN Department of Natural Resources, the MN Pollution Control Agency, the MN Department of Transportation, Carlton County, St. Louis County, and possibly other local jurisdictions.
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