Finally, environmentalists and petroleum interests are in agreement when it comes to getting oil-based products from the Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula. Neither group wants to bring them across the Straits of Mackinac through a 42-inch, horizontally drilled borehole.

The Army Corps of Engineers mentioned that idea as an alternative to the long-planned 21-foot concrete tunnel that would encase the Line 5 petroleum and natural gas pipelines for the full four-mile crossing. Running 100 feet below the lakebed, the tunnel would be safe from anchor strikes.

The Corps is holding public hearings on the borehole alternative on Wednesday.

Environmentalists condemned that option, accusing pipeline owner Enbridge Inc. of seeking a faster, cheaper alternative to the $500 million tunnel to wh

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