THURSDAY
JUNE 11, 2015 Opinion ��������������Page 4 Community News ���Page 5
Kindergarten Nature Day
Clallam Bay/Sekiu Chamber tours Neah Bay
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Sports ���������������Page 7 Classifieds ���������� Page 13 SERVING THE WEST END SINCE 1931
Volume 83 No. 40
• WWW.FORKSFORUM.COM •
Allen’s Mill to close
FHS Graduation 2015
Forks High School Class of 2015 commencement excises took place on June 6, in the FHS Gym. The FHS graduated Class of 2015 was met with a sign from the Class of 2016 as they exited Spartan Gym graduation night. It did appear however that the Class of 2015 had previous knowledge of the event and were ready with their spray cans of Silly String. The sign said, “1 more year, 6 more classes, FHS can Kiss our … Class of 2016.” More photos page 2
State public lands commissioner calls for more study on Navy electronic warfare range plan The Navy should rethink its proposed expansion of activities in its electronic warfare range in light of potential impacts on the threatened marbled murrelet and a deluge of comments against the plan, said Peter Goldmark, state commissioner of public lands. Goldmark, who manages the state Department of Natural Resources, said last week that the Navy’s 2010 environmental impact statement on the effects of jet noise on the seabird listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act did not go far enough. He called for an in-depth assessment in concert with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the impacts of noise pollution on the murrelet and other endangered species, which inhabit both Olympic National Forest and Department of Natural Resources land. The Navy has applied for U.S. Forest Service permits for use, by three electromagnetic emitter trucks, of 12 roads in Olympic National Forest and is considering applications for use of three DNR roads. The trucks, while parking in what the Navy says are remote areas, would allow virtual targeting exercises to be
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conducted with Naval Air Station Whidbey Island aircraft. DNR already has said it is not interested in participating in the project but that it would process a Navy application if one is made. Goldmark also emphasized the number of comments and outright complaints his agency has received about the proposal. Forest Service officials have said comments about using national forest land also are overwhelmingly against the plan. “In terms of percentage of population base, it’s almost higher than anything else I’ve been engaged on,” Goldmark said of the hundreds of comments DNR has received. Warfare range flights already occur in the Navy’s two Military Operations Areas on the west ends of Clallam and Jefferson counties, but without coordination with ground-based emitters. Goldmark said a 2014 environmental assessment of the emitter-truck deployment, which could increase NAS Whidbey flights over the electronic warfare range by up to 10 percent, did not go far enough.
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PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 6 Forks, WA
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The traditional cap toss at the ending of the graduation ceremonies. Photo by Lonnie Archibald
ECRWSS - BOXHOLDER
In a conversation with Jerry Lane, general manager at Allen Logging Company, on Tuesday morning, Lane said Allen’s Mill will close in about three weeks. Lane said, “We plan to process the current log inventory until we run out. We will continue to sell the lumber until it is gone.” Allen’s currently employs 45 people, including mill workers, watchmen and truck drivers. “The current log situation is so sad, you can’t buy a predictable supply of marketable logs. We are seeing the same thing as Interfor and the Simpson Mills that recently closed.” Lane added. “It is just a sign of the times, a strong U.S. dollar gives Canadians incentive to import which puts log exports at a disadvantage. The biggest issue is the Forest Service and DNR programs are failing to meet demand.” Lloyd Allen started logging right out of high school in Oregon in 1937. Eventually he moved his logging operation to Quinault and later to the Burn area on the West End after the big Forks fire. Allen’s Mill has been at its present location since 1955. In 1958, the veneer building was added and reload and sorting of logs began in 1964. In 1969, the sawmill operations were started. Over the years Allen Logging and Mill have provided a substantial payroll to the community. Lane said, “I just want to say something about our crew, a lot of them have been here a long time, our closing is in no way a reflection on their performance.”