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Pnlco Closing Fortuna Mill

Days after receiving additional delays in its attempts to harvest its timberlands (at right), Pacific Lumber Co. announced plans to permanently shutter its sawmill in Fortuna, Ca., citing the unpredictable log supply.

The mill will close June 30-60 days after l0l employees were handed notice of the action. Some of those laid off could be offered jobs this summer once an expansion is complete at PRt-co's Scotia, Ca., mill. Eighteen to 20 new positions should be created-or more, if Palco can ensure a more stable log supply.

Earlier this year, Palco agreed to sell the 7S-acre site to a shopping center developer, but had intended to continue running the mill for several more years, until the retail mall project received all necessary approvals.

Last spring, Pnlco's Carlotta mill closed and Fortuna laid off 38 workers and reassigned I I others.

Blaze Hits Arizona Dealer

An early morning fire destroyed the retail contents of Lumbermens, Sedona, Az., but firemen were able to save the store's lumberyard.

Also spared were delivery trucks

Pnlco Permits Rescinded

The California state water resources board ordered Pllco to halt logging in the Freshwater Creek and Elk River watersheds.

Recently, the board agreed to let Pnt-co cut up to 50Vo of the annual 1,100-acre harvest limit (see April, p. 34).However, complaints were received o'about flooding damage to proper-ty and significant impacts on water quality and fisheries resulting from runoff of dirt and debris from Pelco sites." Environmentalists then petitioned to stop the logging.

The stay will remain in effect at least until the next hearing in June.

Robert E. Manne, P,lt-co presi- that made their regular early morning deliveries. No injuries were reported. dent and c,e.o., expressed disap' pointment that the board mads "a seemingly arbitrary decision that creates even more uncertainty for our company, our employees, and our future." He insisted the 140year-old company is an industry leader in environmentally sensitive forest management and science. is a borate-based wood oreservative applied to lumber and plywood using a pressu re-treatment process to provide permanent protection against wood destroying insects and decay fungi in interior applications.

The April 2l blaze was fueled by high winds and store contents such as fuels and paints, which made it unsafe for firefighters to enter the building. "The fire was so advanced when firefighters arrived that we had no choice but to go defensive," said fire captain Mike Rauton. "The potential for a roof collapse was very high."

"These harvest plans had already been approved by the state and federal agencies who oversee our forest management plans," said Manne. "Now, their decision is invalidated by one individual from the state water board. We think this sends a terrible message t0 the newly appointed board."

Firefighters remained into the night, dealing with "multiple hot spots underneath the debris. The walls are steel and very heavy, causing us to peel them away to get at the fires," said fire inspector Gary Johnson.

The store had no sprinkler system. "The building was totally destroyed and probably will mean a multi-million-dollar loss." said Johnson. The fire's cause is under investisation.

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