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Army Corps final EIS expected this fall; EGLE sets separate NPDES and wetlands/submerged‑lands timelines
Summary
The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority heard Oct. 17 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to publish a final environmental impact statement for the Line 5 tunnel project this fall, with a record of decision about 30 days later, while state EGLE permitting is proceeding on separate tracks for an NPDES reissuance and Part 303/325 wetlands/submerged-lands review.
Federal and state permitting remain active and on separate tracks for the Line 5 tunnel project, MDOT and Army Corps staff told the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority on Oct. 17.
"In the time since the 30 day public comment period ended on 06/30/2025, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to process public comment and work towards the release of the final environmental impact statement as well as a subsequent record of decision," Michael Belligan, an MDOT environmental specialist assisting the authority, said. He added that the final EIS is expected sometime this fall and the record of decision would follow about 30 days later.
Belligan described the sequence and public-access steps: the final EIS responds to public-comment issues raised against the draft EIS; once the final EIS is issued there is a 30-day period after which the record of decision, including any permit issuance decision, will be published. The authority requested that links to the draft EIS be made readily available through the authority's website; staff confirmed the draft is accessible through Army Corps and MDOT project pages.
On state permits, Belligan said EGLE has…
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