Glacier Northwest’s efforts to get the approvals it needs to move forward — and environmental groups’ efforts to block them — represent a long and complex path. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.
1968: Mining operations begin at a new pit just south of the one used until this point. A dock is constructed to load barges with sand and gravel.
1978: Gravel barging on Maury’s eastern shore stops. Gravel is transported from the site by truck intermittently by Island contractors.
May 1998: Glacier seeks a revision to the Maury Island pit’s grading permit to allow it to increase mining at the site and renew barging operations.
August 1998: King County requires an Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
November 2000: Then-Public Lands Commissioner Jennifer Belcher refuses to renew Glacier’s aquatic lands lease on the site. She designates the region the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve the same day.
May 2002: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issues a Hydraulic Project Approval to the dock project, based on state Department of Ecology findings that the project poses few risks to the land and waters in its vicinity. Preserve Our Islands and other environmental groups later appeal it.
May 2002: King County requires Glacier to apply for shoreline permits before applying for a commercial building permit.
September 2002: Glacier files applications for shoreline permits.
March 2004: King County denies Glacier’s applications for shoreline permits.
April 2004: Glacier files an appeal of the county’s decision to the state Shoreline Hearings Board.
November 2004: The Shoreline Hearings Board orders King County to issue shoreline permits.
December 2004: Glacier applies for a commercial building permit to construct the dock and barge loading facility.
March 2005: Based on the ruling by the state Shoreline Hearings Board, King County issues Glacier shoreline permits for construction of a new barge-loading dock. Preserve Our Islands and other environmental groups appeal the decision to King County Superior Court.
February 2006: King County issues Glacier building permits for the barge-loading dock.
June 2006: The state Court of Appeals upholds the Shoreline Hearings Board’s ruling that Glacier should be issued shoreline permits.
January 2008: The state Supreme Court decides not to hear Preserve Our Islands’ case against Glacier.
January 2008: Legislators file bills to support opponents’ claims that sand and gravel on the site may belong to the state. The legislation passes in the Senate but not the House.
July 2008: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, saying the pier will not “result in significant impacts to the human environment,” issues Glacier the final permits it needs to build a new dock. Preserve Our Islands files an appeal of the Corps’ decision in U.S. District Court shortly thereafter.
Dec. 2, 2008: Out-going state Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland issues Glacier a 30-year lease to build its dock over Maury Island Aquatic Reserve.
Dec. 3, 2008: Preserve Our Islands files an appeal of that decision with King County Superior Court.
Dec. 5, 2008: King County issues a Notice to Proceed to Glacier Northwest for the construction of its barge loading facility. Construction begins the same day.
