The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a notice of violation to Enbridge Energy Company on Tuesday, Oct. 13, for alleged violations in Iron and Ashland counties, the DNR announced in a release published by DrydenWire on Oct. 14.
The allegations 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. The allegations are not findings of liability.
The notice covers alleged violations from March 30 through Sept. 21, 2026, involving state water quality, wetland, navigable waterway, air quality, storm water and endangered resources protection laws. The DNR said it will keep reviewing incidents after Sept. 21 for possible additional enforcement.
A notice of violation is a formal letter that spells out the alleged violations and their potential consequences, including forfeitures, and usually sets an enforcement conference. After that conference, the DNR can take further action, including issuing citations or referring the case to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for prosecution.
The notice is separate from Enbridge's responsibility under the state Spills Law for the Aug. 25 puncture of Line 5, which happened while work was being done on a valve for the existing pipeline. The DNR said it is overseeing the company's investigation and cleanup of that spill.
