During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the transparency and oversight of Enbridge's ongoing drilling operations. Community members expressed frustration over the lack of access to real data from the tests being conducted, emphasizing that the information currently available appears to be primarily public relations material aimed at facilitating project approval rather than providing substantive insights into the environmental impact of the drilling.
Citizens voiced a strong desire for access to the actual datasets from the boring samples and other tests, arguing that these operations are directly affecting their communities. They called for government officials to demand more comprehensive and transparent reporting from Enbridge, rather than relying on the sanitized information typically released for public consumption.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the qualifications of a recently contracted oversight individual, who reportedly lacks experience in tunnel construction. Critics pointed out that the oversight role is funded by taxpayer dollars and argued that it is essential for the appointed individual to have relevant expertise, particularly given the unique challenges posed by the Great Lakes region. The oversight entity mentioned, the Federal Maritime Safety Administration (FMSA), is only involved post-construction, raising further doubts about the adequacy of current oversight measures.
The meeting underscored a growing demand for accountability and transparency in environmental oversight, with community members insisting that they deserve access to the real data that reflects the true impact of industrial activities in their areas.