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County timber bid clouded by local mill closure; committee weighs residual-wood options
Summary
Staff warned that the sudden closure of a local mill may affect contractor responses to a county timber bid and raised concerns about removing about 900 cords of pulpwood and handling residual wood on public forest parcels.
Jason alerted the committee that local press reported a sudden closure of the Finch pulp/paper facility in Glens Falls and said the announcement arrived while a county timber bid was outstanding, which could alter contractor bids and the market for pulpwood.
"I attached a bunch of news articles here about the Finch Prime mill closing in Glance Falls," Jason said, explaining that a portion of the county’s timber harvest is pulp that historically went to that facility. He said the county’s current bid included about 900 cords of pulpwood—"it's over 900 cords of pulpwood in this new bid"—and that the committee must consider whether contractors will remove that material and where they would take it if local markets disappear.
Committee members discussed options including leaving part of the harvest in place, reducing the bid, or modifying future bids; Jason noted state law requires timber production on these lands and that the county holds more than 3,000 acres in 46 parcels, which affects long-term harvest planning.
Why it matters: a mill closure can reduce local processing capacity for pulpwood, potentially forcing the county to change harvest plans, accept lower revenue, or cover removal costs for residual wood on public lands.
