Three Firms Get Lion’s Share Of Road Money

Wed., Sept. 17, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

Nearly one-third of the $40 million in logging road credits at the center of a Senate debate over timber subsidies went to just three large companies last year, the Forest Service said Tuesday.

The biggest share of the credits - which critics say amount to taxpayer-financed subsidies - went to Ketchikan Pulp Co. of Alaska. It received $7.67 million in credits in fiscal year 1996, according to agency figures.

Sierra Pacific Industries of Redding, Calif., received $2.48 million, and Boise Cascade Corp., of Boise, received $2.16 million, the Forest Service said.

Buoyed by additional support from the Clinton administration, Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said Tuesday he was near getting the votes he needs to cut taxpayer spending on logging roads in national forests.

“This is food stamps for the timber industry,” Bryan said at a news conference.

Bryan, D-Nev., said he would introduce an amendment to the Interior Department and Forest Service spending bill - expected to come to a vote as early as today - to eliminate federal subsidies to timber companies that build the roads.

The so-called “purchaser road credits” totaled about $40 million last year, effectively reimbursing timber companies for road construction with credits they can use to bid on timber sales.

Next on the Forest Service list were: Louisiana Pacific of Portland, $968,000; Sierra Forest Products, $821,000; D.R. Johnson, $739,000; Crown Pacific, $716,000; and Weyerhaeuser of Federal Way, Wash., $668,000.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.