A Lummi Island quarry is appealing orders from Whatcom County's planning department to cease work along the shore near ecologically important eelgrass beds.

County Planning and Development Services issued two stop-work orders to Lummi Rock, which mines gravel and rock at Smuggler's Cove. The department claims Lummi Rock is mooring barges and running barge-loading equipment without shoreline management permits and near eelgrass, which provides a beneficial environment to salmon, herring and shellfish.

The appeal, filed on behalf of Lummi Rock by Lynden attorney Lesa Starkenburg-Kroontje, questions the status of permits and the county's authority in the area of the alleged violations.

The county hearing examiner will hear the appeal at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, in council chambers, 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2289. Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.