NEAR HOOD CANAL, Wash. -- The Navy and the state Department of Natural Resources are in a legal battle with a mining company over a proposed pier on the Hood Canal.



A mining company called Thorndyke Resources wants to build a large pier that extends 990 feet into the Hood Canal. The pier would be used to load gravel directly onto ships for Oregon, California and Hawaii. However, the Navy is concerned industrial encroachment could disrupt training and other operations.



The Navy routinely uses the Hood Canal as a training area for its surface ships and submarines. Its an ideal location because the water is deep in the area.



The Navy and the DNR reached an agreement on a 55-year conservation easement that wouldn't allow industrial expansion.







State Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark says it's an important agreement. "That is a huge issue for the U.S. Navy wherever they are. Wherever their bases are, because any kind of encroachment can hamper their ability to carry out both training and operations," Goldmark said.



The agreement protects 4,800 acres of coastline. The easement excludes private use.



"You can build a residential dock, you can do shellfish farming, you can fish, you can boat, you can swim, do all those kinds of things, but you can't build a big over-water structure," Goldmark said.



The DNR didn't want to comment on the lawsuit but says the dispute will be settled in court.