Originally published January 2, 2009 at 10:58 AM | Page modified January 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Comments (33)
E-mail article
Print view
Gravel-dock protesters block 2 roads on Maury Island
Protesters barricaded two Maury Island roads at dawn today, hoping to stop construction of a loading dock for a gravel mine.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Protesters barricaded two roads at dawn today on Maury Island, hoping to stop construction of a loading dock for a gravel mine.
About 50 people gathered at access points to the mining site, owned by Glacier Northwest. Nine people formed human blockades, chaining their wrists to each other inside steel pipes anchored to oil drums filled with concrete.
"Glacier Northwest is on public land," said Logan Price, who was chained to a barricade. "The state has failed to protect the public trust on this issue."
While the protesters kept cars from reaching the site, seven Glacier Northwest workers walked past the barricades.
Glacier Northwest could not be reached immediately for comment.
Maury Island is connected by land to Vashon Island.
Protest organizers said they wanted to keep the protest peaceful and nonviolent rather than physically restrain workers from getting in.
Construction work on the dock, which normally starts at 7 a.m., was delayed a few hours, and the protesters chained together said they would stay shackled until sunset.
Environmentalists have fought the mine's expansion for the past decade.
In December, outgoing Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland approved a lease permit for the dock.
The 305-foot dock would be used to load gravel onto barges. Vashon Island residents hope to slow construction of the dock, which they say must be completed by Jan. 14 or risk being delayed through August.
Many were concerned that gravel spilled from the dock would damage the marine environment, particularly eelgrass beds. The underwater grass serves marine creatures to spawn, live and forage.
![]()
"I'm willing to get arrested for one of the last eelgrass beds in Puget Sound," said Morgan Guion, who was chained to Price. Both grew up on Vashon Island.
The King County roads department closed the streets to keep cars from advancing on the protesters.
King County Sheriff's Sgt. Ted Boe said he would open the road today, and those blocking the way will be arrested.
Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 11:36 PM
DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
NEW - 11:28 PM
Greenwood merchants nervous after 3 more arsons
NEW - 12:54 AM
UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor shrine
Nicole Brodeur: Praise pours on the water man
Soldier from Whatcom County is killed in Afghanistan

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
252 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
165 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
141 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
118 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
96 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
62
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor









