UI Researchers Say 5 Clearwater River Sawmills Threatened

Without naming names, University of Idaho researchers say five of nine lumber mills in the Clearwater River country are in danger of closing.

The Idaho Legislature commissioned the study last year.

UI economist Charles McKetta said his study, with Hank Robison, tracked the flow of logs to mills across four counties. The researchers examined the economic ripples.

McKetta said the findings of the research could change.

“But generally, five mills go down no matter which way we cut it, and the driving force is the decline of federal timber supplies,” he said.