Enbridge will hold public information meetings in area

Several meetings have been set up for Enbridge to answer questions concerning the Certificate of Need and a Pipeline Routing permit for the Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Project. The line will run from the North Dakota border to the Wisconsin border.

It will replace 282 miles of its existing 34-inch diameter Line 3 pipeline with 337 miles of 34-inch diameter pipeline.

The line will go from the Minnesota and North Dakota border to Clearbrook and then go on the same route proposed for the Sandpiper pipeline from Clearbrook to the Wisconsin border.

It will permanently deactivate the existing Line 3 in-place after the replacement pipeline is in service.

Upgrades will be made to pump stations at Clearbrook, Donaldson, Plummer and Viking.

New pump stations will be built at Backus, Cromwell, Palisade and Two Inlets.

Area meetings will be held starting on Tuesday, August 11 at the Newfolden Community Center at 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12 - Ralph Engelstad Arena – Imperial Room in Thief River Falls at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 13, at the Plummer Senior Citizen Center at 11:00 a.m. The same day at 6:00 p.m. a meeting will be held at the Gully Community Center.

Monday, August 17 at the Clearbrook Community Center (old school) – Wes Westrum Gym at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18, at Rice Lake Community Center gym at 6:00 p.m.

Two meetings will be held in Park Rapids at the Park Rapids Century School Cafetorium at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The Department of Commerce, and Enbridge staff will be available to answer questions about the permitting process and the project.

The Department of Commerce uses the comments that they receive at the meetings to develop the environmental analysis for this project.

Enbridge representatives state that the project is needed to address safety and integrity issues associated with the existing Line 3 pipeline.

For more information check out the legal notice in this weeks’ issue of the Leader-Record.