1. Regulations
  2. Permits
  3. Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Project

Public comment for Enbridge Line 3

Listen to recordings of the telephone town hall meetings:

Learn more about the project

HTML icon Line 3 Replacement Pipeline Project informational presentation

An overview of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's role in Enbridge's Line 3 Replacement Project, and the permits and certifications the MPCA is considering.

Public comment is now closed

The MPCA’s comment period for the draft 401 water quality certification, draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System wastewater permit and draft capped air emission permit application for Enbridge’s Line 3 project ran from March 2, 2020 – April 10, 2020.

Information and fact sheets

Videos about the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project:

Capped air emission permit

401 Certification

Many wetlands will be temporarily impacted during construction, after which restoration will be undertaken with monitoring to confirm recovery of the wetland.

Industrial wastewater permit

Map shows proposed surface water discharge locations to water with wild rice: Middle River, Red Lake River, Clearwater River (2 locations), Lost River, Island Lake, Shell River (3 locations), Crow Wing River, Pine River, Lake George, and St Louis River.

Construction stormwater permit

Methods include perimeter control to slow and hold flow and filter runoff, dewatering that removes surface water to dry a construction site, and stabilization that covers exposed soils to reduce erosion during rain or snow melt.

Emergency response

Recovery of the entire spill is the goal of the MPCA Emergency Response Program. If recovery of the entire spill isn't possible, then risk-based cleanup decisions will be implemented that evaluate risks posed to human health and the environment.