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Mill shutdown tightens market for spruce and balsam; county to adjust harvest plans
Summary
Committee heard that a nearby pulp mill closure removes a local buyer for softwood, likely reducing markets for spruce and balsam and affecting future planting and sale decisions for the county forest.
County staff briefed the committee on market changes after a local pulp mill and two paper machines shut down, removing one buyer for softwood pulp.
The county administrator said the Mosan mill shutdown and machine closures "was like the last good softwood market that was left in the state," and warned that spruce and balsam markets will be harder to sell until a new buyer emerges. Staff explained the county can defer replanting some pine stands and allow natural species shifts where economic replanting is not justified.
Speakers said much of the current timber harvest is chipped and shipped to PCA/Tomahawk for liner stock, while specialized paper-grade mills used cleaner fibers and older machines that are now uncompetitive. The committee discussed consequences for sale contracts and noted that recent timber-sale crews completed a major operation that produced chipped material bound for PCA.
Staff said the county will continue with scheduled sales (June and December openings) but expects to adjust species and marketing strategy for spruce and balsam components, and to leave some nonmarketable material standing where market outlets are absent.
Members asked staff about replanting strategies and how to manage stands approaching economic maturity; staff said they will rotate stands where practical and avoid costly replanting where market demand is low.
