Video: Protestors block access to Maury Island mine

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MAURY ISLAND, Wash. - Workers preparing to restart a controversial sand and gravel mine on Maury Island found their way to the job blocked by protestors Friday.

A group of Maury Island and Vashon Island residents and outside sympathizers joined arms and voices to block access.

"A dock is being built which is going to be stretched 305 feet out over an Aquatic reserve that will be loading gravel," protester Bill Moyer said. "You don't have to be a marine biologist to know that's not a good thing."

The company reactivating the historic mine argues marine biologists from the necessary agencies have ruled there is no problem.

"There is an isolated group of people that are continuing to use every means they can to stop the project even though it's had 10 years of regulatory review," said Pete Stoltz, spokesperson for Glacier Northwest

Glacier Northwest plans to mine valuable sand and rock for concrete and barge it away. Opponents have argued that will disrupt the island's shoreline ecosystem.

The human barricade successfully blocked vehicles from getting through Friday, and protesters stood fast despite multiple warnings from sheriff's deputies.

But workers soon walked around the blockade to get on the job and after four or five hours the protestors peacefully and cheerfully broke up.

The next protest is scheduled for Sunday. Organizers would only say Sunday's protest would involve some kind of flotilla.

Glacier Northwest officials say the protests will not change their plans to mine the Island.