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
OLC 2023 Products
EUGENE, Oregon – Nothing draws a crowd of loggers like lots of shiny new equipment and the latest in timber harvesting technology and innovations. Here’s a quick look at just some of the many products on display at this year’s Oregon Logging Conference at the Lane Events Center in Eugene, Oregon on February 23-25…
OLC 2023 Offers Plenty To See, Do
Despite inclement weather that reduced student tours and attendance the first two days, the 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference (OLC) did not disappoint, says OLC Conference Manager Rikki Wellman, adding that registration was up this year and there were more displays including several first-time exhibitors. “The icy weather caused only minor challenges for those planning to attend,” Wellman said. “Many still came out to review the latest technology in logging equipment…
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