The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority was told March 12 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is continuing work on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental impact statement for the proposed Line 5 tunnel and that the draft EIS is scheduled for spring 2025, with a final EIS scheduled for spring 2026.

"The draft EIS is scheduled for being completed spring of 2025," said Michael Belligan, an environmental specialist with the Michigan Department of Transportation. "And then a final environmental impact statement, spring of 2026." He added there is no change to the currently published NEPA schedule.

Why it matters: the draft EIS will open a formal federal public-comment period and help define whether and how construction could proceed. Authority members and staff used the meeting to confirm which permitting steps remain at the federal and state level and to note ongoing filings from Enbridge.

Enbridge representatives told the authority they plan to reapply for the state water permit that will expire before the Army Corps issues a record of decision. "Our current EGLE permit ... was applied for in April of 2020, was received in February of 2021," said Anna Mooney of Enbridge. "It was a 5 year permit ... it would expire before we have a record of decision ... Enbridge's planning anticipates that we're going to submit our water resource permit to renew that permit as soon as next week." Mooney said the renewed application incorporates additional field work and new contractor information gathered since the original filing.

Authority staff reiterated that the best public source for NEPA schedule updates is the Line 5 EIS website and that the authority links to that page from its own website. Staff also noted an executive order declaring an energy emergency has been issued at the federal level; the Army Corps told the authority there are no details yet about whether that order will change the EIS schedule.

On consultant contracts, Talia Belo of MDOT said two contracts will be brought to the authority at its June meeting: an independent quality-assurance (IQA) contract for Delve Underground and an as-needed pipeline advisory contract with Craig Brownlee, PE LLC. Authority staff clarified the funding sources: the legislature appropriated money used to fund several advisers; under the tunnel agreement, the IQA is funded separately and is reimbursable by Enbridge.

"There are a couple things that Enbridge is required to provide to the authority. That would be financial assurance and insurance coverage subject to the agreements between Enbridge and the State of Michigan," said Mark (staff member), describing annual filings required by the tunnel agreement (appendix 3) and schedule 10 of the agreement for insurance coverage. Staff said updated financial-assurance information and notices of coverage were included in the member packet and will be posted on the authority website.

Other administrative items: authority staff said Enbridge provides monthly progress reports, which will be posted under project submittals on the authority website, and the board confirmed two tentative meeting dates — June 27 and Oct. 17 — to appear in the minutes pending member availability.

What was not decided: the authority did not take a formal vote on construction or permits at this meeting. Staff said the Delve and Craig Brownlee contracts will be finalized and returned for board approval in June. Enbridge's reapplication for the state water permit was described as planned; the authority recorded receipt of insurance and financial-assurance updates but did not take a separate action on them.

The authority left the record open to future updates from the Army Corps, MDOT, and Enbridge as the NEPA process, state permit review and consultant contracting proceed.