Navigating the Waters: The Battle to Protect the Bad River Tribe’s Sacred Land
The Bad River tribe in Odanah, Wisconsin, is facing a critical decision regarding the future of Line 5, a crude oil pipeline that runs through their reservation. The pipeline, owned by Enbridge, has been a source of contention for the tribe due to the potential environmental risks it poses to their land and waterways.
The Bad River tribe, led by Chairman Robert Blanchard, has been fighting to have Line 5 removed from their reservation. The pipeline, which was installed in 1953, has seen its easements expire, and the tribe has refused to renew them. In 2017, the tribal council voted unanimously not to renew the easements, leading to a lawsuit against Enbridge to have the pipeline removed.
Judge William Conley ruled in favor of the tribe in 2023, giving Enbridge three years to stop pumping oil through the reservation. However, Enbridge has appealed the ruling, citing a 1977 pipeline treaty between the U.S. and Canada that ensures the uninterrupted transmission of hydrocarbons between the two countries.
The tribe is concerned about the potential for a spill from Line 5, especially near a meander in the Bad River that is eroding the riverbank and bringing the pipeline dangerously close to the water. The tribe’s natural resources director, Naomi Tillison, has expressed worries about the impact of a spill on the reservation’s water quality and wetlands.
Enbridge has proposed a reroute of Line 5 around the reservation, but the tribe opposes this plan, citing potential adverse impacts on the Bad River and the Kakagon-Bad River Sloughs wetland complex. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also raised concerns about the proposed reroute, noting the importance of the wetlands as aquatic resources of national and international significance.
The tribe continues to advocate for the removal of Line 5 from their reservation, emphasizing the importance of protecting their homeland, treaty rights, and way of life. The ongoing legal battle and environmental concerns surrounding Line 5 highlight the complex issues at play in the intersection of energy infrastructure, tribal sovereignty, and environmental protection.