Radanovich Meets With Concerned Residents About Timber Industry

Sonora, CA — Congressman George Radanovich met with around 50 concerned community leaders Tuesday regarding the timber industry and the impending closure of the Sierra Pacific Industries Mill in Standard.

The meeting was organized and facilitated by the Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and the Environment (TuCare) and held at the Sonora Fire Station.

Much of the discussion focused on litigation that has held up timber production in the state.

“The decline is in part due to the downturn in the economy, but it is also indicative of the inability to get into the forest and harvest some timber to sell,” says Radanovich. “We’re working with the Forest Service and TuCare to try to find out what kind of Stimulus money might be available for projects in the forest to help employ folks.”

Other items discussed included creating legislation that will require the U.S. and state to use domestic lumber for government contracted work, creating tax cuts for the use of California lumber, and easing regulations such as the Endangered Species Act that have become burdensome on the industry.

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com