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Logging: Recovery in Sight?
One of Idaho’s industries hardest hit by the recent housing boom and bust is forest products.According to the U.S. Forest Service, the timber harvest from Idaho national forests dropped from 172 million board feet in 1999 to 121.2 million board feet in 2008.The Idaho Division of Financial Management’s 2011 economic forecast reported there are about half as many mills in the inland region as there were 20 years ago.Still, the report projects growth in the industry over the next few years.“Idaho lumber and wood products employment hit a trough of 5,700 jobs in 2010 which was about 40 percent below its 2006 peak of 10,000 jobs. It’s projected to grow each year of the forecast, but it’s not fast enough to top the previous peak.” - DFMThe Division of Financial Management believes an increase in housing starts will help fuel a mild recovery in wood production.

Wyden Timber Plan Aims To Bolster Hard-Hit Logging Towns

NWNews | By Chris Lehman,
Chris Lehman
Published November 26, 2013 at 1:41 PM MST
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber introduces U.S. Senator Ron Wyden during a press conference at the Oregon capitol Tuesday.
Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber introduces U.S. Senator Ron Wyden during a press conference at the Oregon capitol Tuesday.

Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden says his latest proposal to increase logging on Oregon forest land will also respect environmental concerns. 

The Democrat unveiled his proposal alongside Oregon governor JohnKitzhaberat the state capitol in Salem Tuesday.

Wyden’s plan would more than double the timber harvest in 18 western Oregon counties. The land was originally granted to the old Oregon & California railroad. Wyden says it would streamline the environmental review process required to begin cutting wood.

"We want some relief for these rural communities that are walking on an economic tightrope every single day," Wyden told a crowded press conference. "They have been hit by a wrecking ball over the last decade, decade and a half."

Wyden says his plan would conserve old growth forest. But several conservation groups criticized the proposal as a shortcut around environmental regulations. And a group made up of some timber county commissioners said the plan wouldn't create enough logging jobs in hard-hit communities.

Copyright 2021 Northwest News Network. To see more, visit Northwest News Network.

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Northwest News Network LoggingEconomyRon WydenOregon
Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
See stories by Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman
Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.

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