Jefferson County commissioners and other county officials have been inundated with nearly 200 e-mails and letters by opponents of Fred Hill Materials Inc.’s plans for more than 6,200 acres of forestland near Shine.

Opponents see the proposed mineral overlay designation as the first step in a “pit to pier” gravel operation, which will include a four-mile conveyer and 1,100-foot marine pier to ship gravel out by boat on the Hood Canal.

But at least one Jefferson County commissioner says he’d like to see more hard data in the letters he is receiving about the Fred Hill project and other hot topics such as Tri-Area Urban Growth Area designation and seawater intrusion.

“I have no problem with comments,” said Dan Titterness, R-Port Townsend, “but I want people to give the reasoning for their comments.”

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