Since Maury and Vashon Islands are so close by, this has been closely watched in West Seattle too, so we’re mentioning this breaking story: A federal court judge has just sided with the conservation groups that have been trying to stop the gravel-mine expansion that would build a big new dock. The judge says more federal reviews are required to consider the project’s possible effects on marine life, according to this AP report published by The Olympian. King County Council Chair Dow Constantine, a longtime opponent of the project, has issued a statement – read on:

The news release issued by Constantine’s King County Executive campaign:

King County Council Chair Dow Constantine welcomed today’s decision by U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez to halt planned construction of a dock on Maury Island intended to facilitate a long-controversial mining operation.

Martinez ruled that federal Endangered Species and National Environmental Policy Act review procedures must be completed to determine impacts on endangered salmon and orca populations. The eelgrass beds that would be impacted by the dock and associated mining operations were part of a state aquatic reserve and have been listed as critical habitat for many marine species.

“This is a great victory for the people of King County and Puget Sound , said Constantine, who has lead the fight against the mine for over a decade. We have maintained all along that Glacier Northwest proposed massive barge loading facility should not be constructed in this critical shoreline, and that it could not be constructed or operated without impacting threatened species.”

The multinational firm that owns the permits to the mine had announced earlier this week their intention to resume construction of the facility, halted earlier this summer by State Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark. Goldmark’s predecessor Doug Sutherland granted the initial permit in the waning days of his terms following a loss to Goldmark in which he was the recipient of a $50,000 campaign expenditure by the mining company.

“I want to thank Commissioner Goldmark for his leadership in calling for a time out and standing for the shared values of a healthy Sound and a healthy economy, said Constantine . Now, while the appropriate impact statements are being pursued, we have the opportunity to work with the company, the state and other interests to seek long term protection for the island, and the waters around it.”