SANDPOINT - Opposition is mounting again against a controversial proposal to develop a surface mine near the Kootenai County line.

The Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission is conducting a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed surface mine and rock-crushing operation. The hearing is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in the Bonner County Administration Building.

The Knife River Corp. project would be located on a 160-acre parcel off Anglin/Roberts Road, on the east side of U.S. Highway 95.

The plan was first proposed in 2008 and encountered stiff opposition from adjacent landowners. It was put on hold for nearly three years.

As a new round of hearings draw near, the project's file at the Planning Department is filling to nearly overflowing with letters of opposition, unflattering news articles about Knife River's operations in other communities and other exhibits.

Neighboring landowners are deeply concerned the gravel pit and crushing operations will inundate them with dust and noise, drive off wildlife, choke roads with truck traffic and erode property values.

"The crushing dust would settle on my pastures and my crops," said Sheri Lorz, a Bonner County farmer who has personally collected nearly 150 letters of protest from her neighbors.

Lorz also contends the project poses a threat to the Rathdrum Aquifer and points to a University of Idaho study which held that a gravel pit in Pocatello acted as an "open window" on an aquifer.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to sell place. Only God forbid they put it in and then I can't live here because I can't stand it," said Lorz.

There are also concerns the mining operation will ultimately give way to an asphalt batch plant.

However, Knife River officials said that is not currently being contemplated because such a plant would require a zone change.

"At this point, I don't see that being a likely scenario," said Jim Trull of Knife River Corp.

Trull acknowledges there is a significant amount of consternation over the proposal, but said the company's plan of operation is being blown out of proportion.

"It's not going to be a pit that has 200-300 trucks running out of it a day like some people are suggesting. It would probably be a project-specific use and then probably shut down until another project came up," he said.

The project's application indicates an average of 10-12 trucks a day is anticipated, but could peak at 80 or more a day for larger projects.

Trull said Knife River is proposing the projects in hopes of supplying material for a series of U.S. Highway 95 improvements between Garwood and Sagle.

As for fugitive dust, noise and other disturbances, Trull said there is a litany of guidelines which will mitigate such nuisances.

But foes of the proposal remain unconvinced the impacts can truly be mitigated and point to Knife River fines levied against the company in Idaho and Iowa for Clean Water Act violations.

"If you're exposing water (to contaminants) - good North Idaho water - that's not a good thing," Lorz said.