Video: Outgoing lands commissioner kicks up dust on Maury Island

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SEATTLE -- Washington state's outgoing lands commissioner is kicking up some dust as he leaves office. Doug Sutherland approved a controversial plan Tuesday to reactivate and expand a mine right in the middle of Puget Sound.

Geologists say under the deep scars left by an abandoned mine on Maury Island are tons of valuable sand and gravel. After years of emotional debate, Sutherland has given a company the green light to go get it.

"I felt it was my responsibility. It's part of my job and I felt it was the right thing to do,” said Sutherland.

Sutherland lost his bid last month for a third term as lands commissioner. Some are calling this latest decision his most controversial.

The approval will give Glacier Northwest permission to pound, scoop and remove acres of valuable ore for concrete.

Island residents rose up to fight against the noise and dust a mine will cause. Environmentalists stiffened at the thought of mining in an area set aside for protection of salmon and orcas.

"To disregard that for the sole purpose of providing Glacier Northwest with the opportunity to make millions of dollars on the backs of Puget Sound,” said Amy Carey, president of Preserve Our Islands.

Wildlife groups claim mining and its barge docks and traffic will disrupt a favorite spot for Orcas and salmon. Residents worry about disrupting contaminated soil at the site and they say the decision will bring back the most disruptive activity the quiet island has ever known.

"They raised all these issues. We dealt with all of the issues,” said Sutherland.

Sutherland, a Republican, was defeated in the Nov. 4 election by Democrat Peter Goldmark, who will take office early next year. In a statement, Goldmark said he was "deeply disappointed" by the lease.

"While I understand there is only one lands commissioner at a time, this decision does come after the voters of Washington sent a very clear message," Goldmark said.

Mine opponents plan to appeal in court.

On its Web site, Glacier Northwest said that after 10 years of intensive study and review, multiple local, state and federal agencies have issued permits or found that the project "will not harm the environment, endangered species, other fish, or their habitat."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.