Enbridge Energy environmental assessment available for comment

The public is invited to comment on an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by the Department of Natural Resources for the Enbridge Alberta Clipper petroleum pipeline system project.

Enbridge Energy Co of Superior has applied to DNR for waterway and wetland crossing permits and air quality permits for the proposed project. The company will also need a stormwater permit and an endangered resources review for the project.

The proposed pipeline project consists of constructing a new 36-inch diameter petroleum pipeline known as the Alberta Clipper, a new 20-inch diameter diluent return pipeline known as the Southern Lights, an associated pump station for the Southern Lights pipeline and five 250,000 barrel breakout tanks. The proposed pipelines would be constructed along a 13 mile route in Douglas County from the Wisconsin-Minnesota border to the Enbridge Superior Terminal in Superior.

It requires 17 water body crossings, including 10 tributaries to the Pokegama River, three un-named waterways, two tributaries to the Little Pokegama River, one crossing of the Pokegama River and one crossing of an unnamed tributary to the Nemadji River.

The proposed pipelines would temporarily impact approximately 75 acres of wetland.

The pump station and breakout tanks at the Superior Terminal would fill approximately 12 acres of wetland and temporarily impact approximately three acres of wetland.

The project as proposed is not anticipated to result in significant adverse environmental effects. DNR has made a preliminary determination that an environmental impact statement will not be required for this action.

Copies of the environmental assessment can be obtained from Benjamin Callan, Water Management Specialist, at DNR (OE/7), PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921, or via E-mail at benjamin.callan@wisconsin.gov.

DNR has scheduled a public informational hearing where individuals can learn more about the proposed project and submit written or oral comments June 4 at the Superior Public Library, Large Meeting Room, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Public comments on the environmental assessment are welcome and must be submitted to Callan no later than 4:30 p.m., June 8, 2009.

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