Maury Island measure makes its way through the Senate

OLYMPIA – It has been called one of Puget Sound’s jewels. But if a mining company has its way, that jewel – Maury Island – would lose much of its luster, and Puget Sound itself would be in even more peril.

Determined to not let that happen, Sen. Erik Poulsen, D-West Seattle, has introduced a trio of bills aimed at protecting Maury Island. The Senate today passed one of them.

“This is the reason I came to Olympia,” said Poulsen, who chairs the Water, Energy & Telecommunications Committee. “The people of Vashon and Maury Island have been victimized by this longstanding political fight. It’s time to lend them a helping hand.”

Senate Bill 6011 would:

• Require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve primarily to conserve native habitats, promote stewardship of riparian and aquatic habitats and provide for low-impact public uses; and
• Prohibit DNR from allowing industrial uses, transportation of mining materials or dock construction associated with mining in the reserve.

The mining company, Glacier Northwest, wants to increase the amount of gravel mining it does on Maury Island to 7.5 million tons per year, which has the potential to make it the largest gravel strip mine in the nation.

“This will give hope to a small community – that they will have clean, safe drinking water and a vibrant salmon habitat,” Poulsen said. “I’ve been trying to stop this attack on the island’s water supply and its unique habitat for 10 years in the Legislature. This is an important first step.”

SB 6011 now moves to the House of Representatives for its consideration.

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