Prairie Wood Products Closes Due To FS Transport Grant Dispute
Claiming that a change in policy concerning the use of Forest Service grant money for transportation costs, Prairie Wood Products in Prairie City, Ore. suspended operations in March citing a disagreement with FS officials. Company officials are currently working with the FS to resolve the matter and get back to work.
The mill received an FS Timber & Biomass Transportation grant from the FS in December 2023 with the understanding the grant would provide matching funds to help cover transportation costs for timber sales the company was working on the Malheur National Forest. However, after submitting paperwork in February, company officials were told the grant money wasn’t eligible for reimbursement for current sales.
In a statement to all parties involved, Grant County Commissioner Jim Hamsher noted a key purpose of the grant is to ensure that wood products industry infrastructure “is maintained into the future” and the FS decision not to allow reimbursement affects that infrastructure. He added that the company is in the process of re-permitting, upgrading and restarting a cogeneration plant on site. The facility would play a key role in utilizing the large amount of biomass generated by thinning and other forest treatments to improve forest health.
Latest News
New Safe Routes Act Reintroduced For Session
U.S. congressional representatives from Wisconsin and Maine have reintroduced a version of the Safe Routes Act that would allow logging trucks that meet state weight limits to drive on interstate highways. U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin (R) and Maine’s Jared Golden (D) are sponsoring the bill, and Gallagher, who introduced similar…
New From Tigercat: 612 Dual Winch Skidder
The new Tigercat 612 series skidder platform was created to manage the extraction function in challenging terrain selective felling applications, while preserving the value and quality of the residual stand. The machine can be equipped with a dual winch, a movable back shield and fairlead system, as well as a crane, and front blade tongs. The 612 is equipped with the Tigercat FPT N67 Stage V engine, delivering 155 kW (208 HP). Combined with Tigercat’s efficient drive system, the 612 impressively handles adverse terrain while minimizing wheel spin…
WANT MORE CONTENT?
Spanning seven decades since its inception in 1952, Timber Harvesting highlights innovative and successful logging operations across the U.S. and around the world. Timber Harvesting also emphasizes new technology and provides the best marketing vehicle for the industry’s suppliers to reach the largest number of loggers in North America and beyond.
Call Us: 800.669.5613