Wisconsin DNR issues notice of violation to Enbridge over Line 5 reroute | The Locally Times
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The Oct. 13 notice covers alleged permit and environmental violations in Iron and Ashland counties through Sept. 21, 2026.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a notice of violation to Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, for alleged violations in Iron and Ashland counties. The alleged violations include violations of permit conditions for the Line 5 reroute construction project and violations of state environmental laws for the unpermitted construction of a bypass around the Saxon Line 5 spill site. A notice of violation is a formal letter providing notice of specific alleged violations and the potential consequences for each violation, including forfeitures. ## Details The NOV covers alleged violations that occurred during the reroute construction and in response to the Saxon spill, from the first alleged violation on the Line 5 reroute construction project on March 30, 2026 through Sept. 21, 2026. The alleged violations involve state water quality, wetland, navigable waterway, air quality, storm water, and endangered resources protection laws. ## What happens next After the enforcement conference, the DNR can take additional enforcement action that can include issuing citations and referring the case to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for prosecution to seek forfeitures and other court-ordered remedies. The DNR will continue to review incidents that occurred after Sept. 21 and any future incidents that could constitute a violation for additional enforcement action, and specific enforcement actions for this NOV will be finalized after the conference and further investigation. ## Background The NOV is separate from Enbridge's ongoing responsibility under the Spills Law to respond to hazardous substances released as a result of the Aug. 25 puncture of Line 5, which occurred as Enbridge was performing work on a valve for the existing Line 5 pipeline. The DNR issued a responsible party letter to Enbridge and is actively overseeing the company's investigation and cleanup of the spill. The DNR release states that no further information is available and that DNR staff are unable to accommodate an interview on this topic at this time.