WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Its rolling hills and green pastures are why this part of Whatcom County is called Peaceful Valley.
Neighbors, however, fear it could soon be anything but that.
A proposed mine is now raising concerns about noise, traffic and cancer.
"It's kind of a terrifying thing to contemplate," says Andrew Clarke.
Clarke lives just 400 feet from a proposed gravel pit southeast of Sumas. His wife and 6-year-old daughter live there, too.
"It's way too close for comfort," he says.
Cowden Incorporated would run the 70-acre Ranch Quarry Surface Mine. It would operate up to 12 hours a day, six days a week, and 50 truck trips per day would rumble down a narrow, tortuous, two-lane road.
The main road in and out would run just 150 feet from some homes.
Neighbors say all that would be bad enough, but they point to county documents that state there may be asbestos in the mountains, which could cause "hazardous conditions" for miners and residents.
Certain forms of asbestos can cause cancer.
There are concerns that blasting and crushing it will send contaminated dust all over the valley.
"I don't want to leave," says Clarke. "I don't want us to have to uproot, but if there's asbestos, and it's being mobilized by mining activity, that might have to be."
Neighbors have come together to stop the mine.
They say the company and county have been remiss in their environmental responsibilities because, despite knowing asbestos could be present for at least four years, testing still hasn't happened, and the permitting process has continued.
"Why is Whatcom County not acting to protect public health?" asks Clarke.
Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu told KING 5, "The permit review process is underway and the community's concerns about naturally occurring asbestos will be thoroughly addressed through that process."
The company has until May 15 to complete asbestos testing, but that deadline can be extended into next year.
Until it's determined the proposed mine is safe, neighbors plan to keep the pressure on.
"We're not just gonna fight them," says neighbor Kathleen Greenbaum, "we're gonna win."
KING 5 News has reached out to the mine company for comment several times over the past two days and we have not heard back.