In response: Company reacted properly after 1980 spill

5/24/2016 

The Company’s records show that Enbridge (then known as Lakehead Pipe Line Co. Inc.) acted quickly on July 28, 1980, when a release of approximately five barrels of light crude oil in the Hiawatha National Forest were detected, notifying the Michigan Department of Natural Resources immediately following release confirmation that day. On July 29, 1980, we notified the Michigan Public Service Commission and the U.S. Forest Service. The spill was cleaned up following all the standards and requirements of that time.

In 2011, a decision was made to check for any remaining impacts related to the 1980 release while preparing for a valve replacement project in the area. Under an amendment to our existing right-of-way permit, we excavated land around our maintenance project and removed soil from the area.

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