# WATCH LINE 5 > Community Monitoring of Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline ## Posts - [More details on Seasonal Road Restrictions](https://watchline5.com/ashland-county-road-weight-limits/): Both the counties and the state of Wisconsin have weight limits on their roads during the spring thaw. Ashland County: On March 2, 2026 the Ashland County Highway Department released un update detailing the trunk highway seasonal weight limitations. As you can see in the attached news release, starting March 5, weight is restricted to 4 tons per axle on Ashland County trunk highways. County trunk highways are distinct from state highways. This WIDOT map shows County trunk highways, differentiated from state highways. Enbridge equiptment is subject to these restrictions as well. See additional details about the Ashland County seasonal […] - [Line 5 Reroute Construction Alert!](https://watchline5.com/line-5-reroute-construction-alert/): The Line 5 reroute is a 41 mile segment of oil pipeline around Mashkiiziibii (Bad River Reservation). Michels Corporation is the lead contractor for construction with offices in Wausau, Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit. After years of legal proceedings and an appeals process, Enbridge Energy has acquired all of its permits and a greenlight to commence construction. Local organizers are seeking solidarity in resistance efforts. If you can offer support in legal representation (civil and criminal lawsuits), media and art making, press coverage, creative direct action, resistance camp building, violation monitoring, community resiliency work, or other diverse tactics, now is the […] - [Bayfield and Ashland County meeting Feb. 24th to discuss Enbridge funding law enforcement](https://watchline5.com/bayfield-and-ashland-county-meeting-to-discuss-enbridge-funding-law-enforcement/): On Tuesday, both the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors and the Ashland County Board of Supervisors is meeting and potentially voting on a cooperative agreement between the County Sherrifs Dept. and Enbridge where sherrifs would provide law enforcement services for Enbridge and Enbridge will reimburse them. Show up on Tuesday February 24th to voice your concerns. Ashland County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Courthouse, 201 Main st. W, Ashland Tuesday, February 24th at 9am Bayfield County Board of Supervisors MeetingCourthouse, 117 E 5th St., WashburnTuesday February 24th at 6pm Services will include: Of exceptional concern in the agreement is Section G. […] - [Tell City Council not to sell water to Enbridge](https://watchline5.com/tell-city-council-not-to-sell-water-to-enbridge/): We stand with Bad River! The City of Ashland is considering selling water to Enbridge for the construction of the Line 5 reroute project through the Bad River water shed. Show up on February 24th at 6pm and tell the council to say NO to Enbridge. Can’t show up? Email the council members. Matthew MacKenzie – Mayor: mmackenzie@coawi.orgKevin Seefeldt – District 1 Alderperson: district1@coawi.orgShawn Brede – District 2 Alderperson: district2@coawi.orgPeter Levi – District 3 Alderperson: district3@coawi.orgAndrew Goyke – District 4 Alderperson: district4@coawi.orgJim Gregoire – District 5 Alderperson: district5@coawi.orgCharlie Ortman – District 6 Alderperson and City Council President: district6@coawi.orgNancy Sztyndor- District […] - [DNR Permits for Line 5 Reroute Upheld](https://watchline5.com/dnr-permits-for-line-5-reroute-upheld/): On February 13th, an administrative law judge upheld a key permit granted last year by Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Enbridge to build the line 5 reroute (41 miles of new pipeline) through the watershed of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Wisconsin. This decision comes after the six-week contested case hearing last fall in which attorneys and expert witnesses presented evidence showing that the DNR permitted the project without fully understanding the risks. Bad River Band has filed a petition for judicial review to challenge Administrative Law Judge Angela Chaput Foy’s decision. In […] - [Bad River Band Sues Army Corps](https://watchline5.com/bad-river-band-sues-army-corps/): The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has filed a lawsuit against the US Army Corps of Engineers for unlawfully granting Canadian company Enbridge a permit for the construction of a new 41-mile section of its Line 5 oil pipeline. Please see the full press release here The legal document can be accessed here “For more than a decade, we have had to endure the unlawful trespass of a dangerous oil pipeline on our lands and waters,” said Bad River Band Chairwoman Elizabeth Arbuckle. “The reroute only makes matters worse. Enbridge’s history is full of accidents and oil spills. If that happens […] - [Protect Water](https://watchline5.com/protect-water/): Indigenous Water Protectors and the Duluth Light Brigade sent these images and videos of their action along the highway in Duluth, with more videos visible on fb. Thank you for the update, keep em coming! - [Enbridge Starts Construction Related Activities for Re-Route of Line 5 Pipeline](https://watchline5.com/enbridge-starts-construction-related-activities-for-re-route-of-line-5-pipeline/): FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESun. Nov. 2nd, 2025Contact: Robin Clark, Three Waters Pipeline Resistance Team RobinClark12@proton.me Enbridge Starts Construction Related Activities for Re-Route of Line 5 Pipeline ASHLAND, WI – Over the past few weeks, the Canadian pipeline company Enbridge Energy has commenced activities such as logging, preparing construction matting, and securing temporary worker housing around the Bad River reservation in anticipation of re-routing a segment of their Line 5 pipeline. While the Army Corps of Engineers issued a federal permit to Enbridge this past week for construction related to the proposed re-route, an order issued by Administrative Law Judge Angela Chaput […] - [Nibi Walk - ceremonial water walk from Mellen to Lake Superior in Ashland, WI](https://watchline5.com/nibi-walk/): A brief report-back from the Nibi Walk held on October 11 along the proposed path of the Line 5 reroute in Wisconsin. For Nibi Walk explanation and protocols, please see https://www.nibiwalk.org/about/: “Led by Anishinaabe Grandmothers, Water Walks respect the truth that water is a life giver, and because women also give life they are the keepers of the water.” Community members walked in ceremony from the Mashkiiziibii (Bad River) in Mellen to Lake Superior in Ashland. Thank you to Adrienne for sharing their message and images from the walk, along with a few additional images we received. Boozhoo, hello my […] - [Species Survey Reportback – Easement North of White River](https://watchline5.com/species-survey-reportback-easement-north-of-white-river/): Location description: Coordinates 46°30’33.8″N, 90°53’40.6″W We received permission from a landowner to monitor for species near the easement north of White River. We encountered orange flagging tape likely marking the easement. Mixed woods, wet soils, species composition indicates area is a wetland during the spring/early summer. Few trails besides deer trails, several hunting blinds. Early August Rportback - [Species Survey Reportback – Brunsweiler River](https://watchline5.com/species-survey-reportback-brunsweiler-river/): SITE DESCRIPTION Location description: The Brunsweiler River crosses County Road C at: 46°24’25.04”N, 90°48’40.95”W. After the intersection between Highway 13 & County Road C, go West down County Road C). There is a small gravel pull off area for a few cars to park. Easier access to water, but be prepared to scramble down a couple large rocks into river. Upstream walk description: LATE JULY REPORTBACK Check out photos of some beings we encountered! - [Species Survey Reportback - Marengo River Road River Crossing](https://watchline5.com/species-survey-reportback-marengo-river-road-river-crossing/): Late July Reportback Downstream float: We floated from the bridge at the Marengo River Rd Crossing (coordinates 46°25’42.01”N, 90°50’50.49”W) to the bridge at Riemer Rd, and it took us about 30 minutes. We were floating on tubes which was lovely, minimal butt scraping. Upstream Walk: We walked from the Marengo Rd Bridge upstream about 20 minutes to the first big bend. We spent a lot of time in one area and really enjoyed going super slow, looking at every little plant from the river up to 2ft up. A section of the river is between cornfields and private property on […] - [Species Survey Reportback - White River Dam](https://watchline5.com/species-survey-reportback-white-river-dam/): Late June Reportback We had a wonderful float along the White River. We started just downstream of the dam (coordinates  46°29’53.50″N, 90°54’30.41″W.) We floated to the Highway 13 bridge which took about 5 hours because the water was low so we often had to get out of our canoe and carry or push it over rocks. This float was in late June. Note: NL means “non-local being” Recommendations for future floats: Check out photos of some beings we encountered! - [URGENT: Phone Zap until Sep 14](https://watchline5.com/zap-whitmer/): In May 2021, Michigan Governor Whitmer along with the MI DNR filed an Eviction Order for the immediate Shut Down of Line 5 for Enbridge’s non-compliance with safety agreements in the binding 1953 Mackinaw Straits permit agreement between the State of Michigan and Enbridge Energy (previously Lake Head). Enbridge then filed suit against Gov Whitmer and the DNR for damages, claiming Whitmer had no authority to enforce the permit between the the State of Michigan and Enbridge. Whitmer argued that the state of Michigan is immune from litigation for enforcing a sovereign State agreement between State and Company. Federal District […] - [Pack the courts, August 12, 9am CST sharp](https://watchline5.com/turn-up-for-august-12/): Show Up! Support! If you have environmental information that contradicts Enbridge’s DNR EIS permits, provide testimony! On Appeal from WI DNR’s approval. Location: Ashland, Wisconsin: Northwood Technical College Conference Center, 2100 Beaser Avenue Madison, WI: Hill Farms State Office Building, Room S149, 4822 Madison Yards Way VIRTUAL PARTICIPANTS can sign up (9am Sharp) to provide testimony in Madison on September 3rd. To connect by video, use Microsoft Teams on the web or the Teams app, then enter the Meeting ID: 247 227 844 895 and passcode: aK6Bt7Ye. Host a watch party. Members of the public who choose to testify must do […] ## Pages - [Educational Materials - WI Line 5](https://watchline5.com/educational-materials-wi-line-5/): Below, find various educational materials about the Wisconsin Line 5 reroute, including zines, powerpoint slides, and more. Check out the Resources and Docs page if you are looking for treaty resources, permits, and legal documents. Zines Wisconsin’s Black Snake Zine: Wisconsin’s Black Snake Reader View Wisconsins Black Snake Print Zine Booklet Oil in the Lakes Zine: Oil In The Lakes 1st Edition-booklet Websites - [Michigan Background](https://watchline5.com/michigan-background/): Photo of a 2018 Line 5 protest, courtesy of Gravelle. Enbridge Line 5 is a 645-mile oil pipeline that carries crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, across northern Wisconsin, under the Straits of Mackinac, through Michigan and into Ontario, Canada. The pipeline has spilled 33 times, including the catastrophic 2010 Kalamazoo River spill which dumped 1.2 million gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo watershed. Line 5 was built in 1953, without the consent of Tribal Nations in its path and before bedrock environmental laws existed. It has never received permission from any of the Native Nations holding […] - [MI Maps](https://watchline5.com/mi-maps/): ArcGIS Map of Spills along Line 5 Link: https://arcg.is/1f8SKv - [WI - View Observations](https://watchline5.com/wi-view-observations/): Check out Line 5 observations that others have submitted. They are organized in different ways in tables and maps below. THESE ARE BEST VIEWED ON A COMPUTER. You can also organize and download the data yourself. Take it, use it, share it! All observations, sorted by location: - [MI Legal Documents](https://watchline5.com/mi-legal-documents/): Here is a compilation of various legal documents and permits relating to line 5 in Michigan. For a general overview of some legal work being done in Michigan, check out this factsheet from FLOW Water Advocates.  Grand Traverse Band of Ottowa and Chippewa Indians Summary of Line 5 Straits of Mackinac: MI_line_5_summary_document GLIFWC Cumulative Impacts of Pipeline Construction in the 1836, 1837, 1842, and 1854 Ceded Territories: GLIFWC_cumulative-impact-of-pipeline-construction - [WI Resources and Documents](https://watchline5.com/wi-legal-documents/): Here is a compilation of ​​​​​​​various legal documents and permits relating to line 5 in Wisconsin. Also, see the events portion of our website to stay up to date on legal proceedings. Skip to: Treaties ResourcesPermit DocumentsOther Legal DocumentsFurther Resources/Websites Treaties Resources Download Documents: GLIFWC Treaty Rights Document 2018 GLFWIC Cumulative Impacts of Pipeline Construction in the 1836, 1837, 1842, and 1854 Ceded Territories: GLWIC StoryMap – Pipelines in the Ceded territories: Section 4. Ojibwe Socio-Cultural Perspectives Discusses the inadequacies of statist permitting evaluations of environmental impact and proposes a different framework for assessing risk and environmental harm. View entire […] - [WI Submit Observation](https://watchline5.com/report-form/): Tip: To find your specific location monitoring site, scroll down to see the map View submitted observations: Check out the google map below to find your location number! - [Threatened and Endangered Species Survey](https://watchline5.com/endangered-and-threatened-species-survey/): The T+E Species Search Project aims to coordinate volunteers in surveying for threatened and endangered species in the Bad River Watershed, as well as potential threats to these species and their habitats. All observations from volunteer surveyors will be added to the Bad River Watershed iNaturalist portal. The project builds from earlier work by CLEAN WI and is a collaboration with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and the Superior Rivers Watershed Association (SRWA). In particular, the project encourages and supports community members in surveying downstream from major construction projects, which represent potential threats to these species. […] - [Violations](https://watchline5.com/violations-101/): Below are some examples of common violations, but many regulations change. We encourage you to read the permits issued by each county so you can be aware of any nuances that may give you a pressure point. Examples of violations that are easy to spot: 1. Lack of black plastic screening and/or orange netting – required in a construction area once ground is broken (Common Violations #12-14) 2. Breach of the 100 ft right of way (50 ft on each side) denoted by blue/white survey stakes and flags marking the limits of the construction area – for example, if they […] - [Community Monitoring - Getting Started](https://watchline5.com/monitoring/): Monitoring a pipeline project during pre-construction, construction and regular operation can feel daunting. Each phase can be quite complex, with different kinds of machinery and processes underway, multiple kinds of contractors, and on most cases multiple layers of security. Additionally, it takes time to learn what might constitute a reportable violation. But remember, you’re doing something useful and necessary. You have the right to be on any public lands, and to observe the activities visible to you.  The basis of any grassroots monitoring project is encouraging and empowering all of us to observe, to communicate and exchange what we are […] - [Wisconsin Background](https://watchline5.com/line-5-basics/): Enbridge Line 5 is a 645-mile oil pipeline that carries crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, across northern Wisconsin, under the Straits of Mackinac, through Michigan and into Ontario, Canada. The pipeline has a history of spills, including the catastrophic 2010 Kalamazoo River spill. It was built in 1953, without the consent of Tribal Nations in its path and before bedrock environmental laws existed. It has also never received permission from any of the Native Nations holding treaty rights in the broader region. The pipeline cut directly through the Bad River Reservation, home to the Bad River […] - [Wisconsin Reroute Maps](https://watchline5.com/wisconsin-reroute/): Check out various maps below to view the Wisconsin Reroute. Google map – Useful for navigating the reroute in the field on your phone kml map file – For higher levels of data security, can upload this file into other map apps if you don’t use google maps. PDF maps – Ready to print! ArcGIS – View a detailed map of Wisconsin Line 5 in ArcGIS Wisconsin Google Map Embedded below is a Googlemap of the proposed Line 5 reroute in Wisconsin. You can explore the map here or click the upper right hand corner to view it in Google […] - [About](https://watchline5.com/) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)